The Victory Congressional Internship is developing the next generation of out public leaders. In addition to a Congressional internship, this eight-week program includes a rigorous weekly leadership development series, a community service requirement, and a formal mentorship program. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is proud of our continued and growing partnership with the Congressional Equality Caucus, its members, and other LGBTQ+-friendly members of Congress.

We are excited to welcome our class of Summer 2026 interns!

Hunter Buchheit (he/him)
Marietta, Georgia
Emory University
Placement: Representative Summer Lee (PA-12)

Hunter Buchheit is a rising junior at Emory University double majoring in U.S. History and Business Administration. In his non-profit and journalistic work, Hunter aims to uplift the stories of Georgia students and LGBTQI+ leaders. As a current board member and former intern and writer for VOX Teen Communications, Hunter hopes to instill journalistic and leadership ethics in the next generation of Georgia students. In his own work, as a former editorial intern for Georgia Voice Magazine and Visionary Artistry Magazine and as an editor for The Emory Wheel newspaper, Hunter writes profiles on student activists, young leaders, and longtime champions for LGBTQI+ rights. A former intern for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the ACLU of Georgia, Hunter continues to delve into his passion for advocating for equitable education policy, student rights, and LGBTQI+ rights. He hopes to pursue a career in policy, journalism, or politics.

Emily Caro (she/her)
Pearl River, New York
Fordham University
Placement: Representative Emily Randall (WA-6)

Emily Caro is a rising junior at Fordham University studying Political Science and Spanish Language & Literature. She believes in using education as a tool for empowerment and to advance a collective commitment to social justice. Emily previously served as a Youth Education intern with the International Rescue Committee, supporting newly arrived refugee and migrant youth in New York City. At the university level, Emily now serves as the Honors Program Administrator at Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus, where she works to manage a 140+ student program committed to social justice and responsibility. After graduating, she hopes to pursue international service work before earning a JD/MSW to practice public interest law.

Lenora Collier (she/her)
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
University of Mississippi
Placement: Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42)

​​Lenora Collier is a rising junior at the University of Mississippi studying international studies, Arabic, and French, with a concentration in international governance and politics. Born in Tokyo, and having lived for ten years in Phnom Penh, she developed an early interest in how culture, communication, and political systems shape people’s lives. At Ole Miss, Lenora is deeply involved in student leadership and advocacy. She has served as a senator for the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, worked with the Associated Student Body’s Legislative Advocacy Board, and currently serves as director of external affairs for the Honors College Minority Engagement Council. Her work focuses on student representation and institutional equity. Lenora is also an active member of the Warren Debate Union, competing in British Parliamentary debate and earning national recognition. Beyond competition, she serves as an opinion editor for The Daily Mississippian, where she writes on politics and public discourse. In addition to her academic work, Lenora performs as the drag queen Diana Falaxis, using performance as a form of cultural and political engagement across Mississippi. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in legislative advocacy that bridges policy and public education, with a focus on advancing transgender inclusion.

Evie DalPra (she/they)
Lyman, Maine
Mount Holyoke College
Placement: Senator Patty Murray (Washington)

Evie DalPra is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College majoring in Gender Studies and Anthropology with certificates in Law, Public Policy & Human Rights, and Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice. Originally from Lyman, Maine, their passion for advocacy began at home through supporting LGBTQ+ Mainers with EqualityMaine as a Policy Intern while tracking bills and writing testimony and then continuing to give back to LGBTQ+ youth as a Programming Intern. Inspired by the role models and support she grew up knowing, she hopes to do the same for others around her. On campus at Mount Holyoke, Evie is honored to serve as a Resident Advisor and the Co-Chair of the Lavender Committee, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group part of Student Government. Evie also had the opportunity to spend the spring semester of 2026 in Athens, Greece on study abroad with College Year in Athens where she had the opportunity to serve as an Intern with The National Centre for Social Research (EKKE) in the Gender Studies Research Lab.

K.S. Jamison (she/her)
Rochester, New York
University of Rochester
Placement: Representative Madaleine Dean (PA-4)

K.S. Jamison is a rising junior studying Politics, Philosophy, and Film & Media Studies at the University of Rochester. Her work is rooted in intersectional advocacy, blending art and policy to support marginalized communities. As a freshman, Jamison earned a nationally competitive storytelling internship at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, where she used her storytelling talents to create multimedia narratives about prominent women in the museum’s collection. In her sophomore year, she brought her work to NASA as a joint intern between NASA’s Universe of Learning and the Harvard & Smithsonian CFA, developing an educational podcast addressing systemic inequities facing BIPOC women in STEM. Outside of media advocacy, Jamison is strongly committed to nonprofit service. A founding member of the nation-wide Public Interest Law Association, Jamison serves as Co-Director of People and Culture. As the youngest board member of nonprofit RocArts United, she works to improve economic access for career artists in Rochester, NY. Furthermore, she has served as a Legislative Intern for NYS Senator Samra Brouk, a Grant Panelist for Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, and a Point Flagship Scholar & Student Ambassador. Upon graduation, Jamison aims to work in civil rights law or media advocacy to create a more equitable future for all.

Anika Manelkar (she/her)
Naperville, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Placement: Representative Chris Pappas

Anika Manelkar (she/her) is a rising senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in Political Science and Statistics. Raised in a conservative desi household in Naperville, Illinois, Anika struggled with her bisexuality, grappling with internalized expectations surrounding culture and queerness. With help, she grew to love the complexity of her own identity. Her life changed after taking a class in Gender and Women’s Studies at her university, and she was able to tap into an incredible network of resources. Her journey in finding and expressing herself inspired her to run for student government where she could guide students to resources and spaces to understand their own identities. In the 2025-2026 school year, she served as the Chairperson of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, working with her committee and cultural/identity based campus partners to protect and serve minority students. She has also interned with the Office of the State Representative Carol Ammons, facilitating weekly panel meetings to discuss education policy with passionate constituents. After graduating, Anika plans to work as a legislative aide or constituent services liaison with a pro-LGBTQ+ office. In her free time, Anika loves to read, hang out with her roommates, and listen to BTS.

Ashirya Singh (she/her)
Redmond, Washington
University of Washington
Placement: Representative Mark Takano (CA-39)

Ashirya Singh is a rising senior at University of Washington in Seattle, and she is majoring in Education, Communities, and Organizations as well as Political Science. Her mission is to create a world where students and young people feel supported and holistically taken care of. She wants to use the power of public policy and community organizations to make the education system more student-centered, accessible, equitable, and enjoyable. Because of her experiences as a queer student struggling with mental health, she realized how crucial supportive school structures and staff are to improving young people’s lives. Over the years she has spent time working with children in a variety of settings, and she founded an independent student group called RISE (Reform and Innovation for the System of Education) that fought for and realized student-demanded district policy changes. As she learns more about the variety of changes students (especially queer students) need and how to make them happen, she is determined to be part of the mission to work together with young people to ensure they can flourish in the way they desire.

David Tamay (he/him)
West Orange, New Jersey
The George Washington University
Placement: Senator Adam Schiff (California)

David Tamay is a sophomore majoring in Political Science at George Washington University, with a strong commitment to advancing immigrant justice reform, LGBTQ+ rights, and equity for underrepresented communities. As a first-generation, low-income, queer Ecuadorian-American, his lived experiences inform his dedication to advocacy, civic engagement, and public service. He has worked with the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement, where he mentored under-resourced middle school students, supported enrichment programming, and helped organize youth-led civic initiatives aimed at strengthening community engagement. He also served as a Resident Services Intern for West Orange Councilwoman Tammy Williams, gaining firsthand experience in local governance and community-centered public service. As Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for Alpha Phi Omega, David led initiatives to institutionalize long-term equity practices within the chapter. In addition, David has held advocacy roles with the Immigrant Liberation Coalition and Beyond the Ballot, educating communities on immigrant rights, developing accessible resources, and engaging with congressional offices to advance LGBTQIA+ protections and equitable policies. He aims to continue developing as an LGBTQ+ and immigration public leader, using his experience and advocacy to shape inclusive, community-driven policy solutions that expand opportunity and empower marginalized communities.

James Toberman (he/they)
Baraboo, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Placement: Congressional Progressive Caucus

James Toberman is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, pursuing degrees in Political Science and Women & Gender Studies with certificates in Peace & Conflict Studies and LGBT Studies. His interest in activism and social justice began at a young age, when he attended his first protest at age 6, having been taught by his union parents the importance of advocacy and exercising one’s civic rights. Later in middle and high school, they got involved in several school and local groups before joining Wisconsin’s own GSAFE Youth Activism Council in 11th grade, which inspired them to pursue political science. James became the Chair of the Civic Engagement Committee for his Student Government in 2024, spending time connecting with underrepresented voters, hosting campus debates for local elections, and visiting classrooms to discuss the power of voting. Last year, he spent a semester down under, traveling, and studying Aboriginal culture and the effects of colonialism in Australia before transferring to UW-Milwaukee at the start of his junior year. This year, they have served as an At-Large Senator for the UWM Student Government, working on bills to amplify student voices and challenge the administration following the recent announcement that UWM will close the Identity and Multicultural Centers. Now serving as UWM’s Student Government Vice President, James is working to fight for affordability and inclusivity, advocating for underrepresented student groups on campus. After graduation, James plans to travel more and pursue social justice policy work with an NGO. In his free time, he enjoys painting, visiting new places, spending time with his cat, and cooking for his partner and friends.

George Tom (he/him)
New York, New York
CUNY Hunter College
Placement: Congressional Equality Caucus

George Tom was born and raised on New York City’s Lower East Side and is rising senior at the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College. A proud first-generation student, he studies Political Science and Women & Gender Studies, with certificates in Public Policy and Business. Motivated by the lack of AANHPI and queer representation in government, George seeks to use public policy and law as tools for intersectional advocacy on behalf of underrepresented communities. On campus, George serves in student government as an elected Class Representative, working with Macaulay administration across eight CUNY colleges to address student concerns and plan college-wide events. He is also President of Hunter College’s Pre-Law Society and a Mixner LGBTQ+ Equal Rights Fellow. His professional experience includes work in public interest law, judicial courts, congressional offices, and government relations. George’s thesis examines how HIV criminalization laws produce and punish HIV-positive people through racialized and gendered media narratives. After graduation, he plans to attend law school and pursue civil rights and education impact litigation. Outside of academics, George mentors underrepresented high school students, volunteers at his local Buddhist temple, and enjoys food blogging, weightlifting, and building plastic model kits.