Meet the Spring 2024 Victory Congressional Interns!
We are so proud to announce and introduce the Spring 2024 Victory Congressional Intern cohort. This group of 4 incredible emerging LGBTQ+ leaders are joining the 13th year of the program and continuing the legacy of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute to increase LGBTQ+ representation in all levels of government.
The Victory Congressional Internship (VCI) is developing the next generation of out-LGBTQ+ public leaders. This spring’s ten-week program will include a rigorous in-person weekly leadership development series, community outreach, and mentorship component. 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.
Throughout the semester, the interns will blog about their experiences in the Out on the Hill blog on our website. Get to know our interns more by following along!
A brief overview of our Spring 2024 LGBTQ+ Victory Congressional Interns:
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Cindell Behrmann (they/them)
Hometown: York, PA
School: York College of Pennsylvania
Placement: Rep. Cori Bush (MO)
Cindell Behrmann is a senior Political Science major with a minor in Urban Education and an early-entrance Master’s of Public Policy and Public Administration Student at the York College of Pennsylvania. On campus, they frequently volunteer with their local community and also stand as the Academic Affairs Chair of their Student Senate, serving as a liaison between students and faculty. Upon graduating, they aspire to enter the field of education policy in order to help students excel in a safe and inclusive environment and reach their fullest potential.
Alexandra Brkic (they/them)
Hometown: Devine, TX
School: Bennington College
Placement: Rep. Greg Casar (TX)
Alexandra is a proud first-generation American Latine from San Antonio, Texas. Growing up in a community affected by gun violence pushed them to become involved in politics and become an advocate for gun safety measures. Over the past five years, Alexandra has worked with a multitude of gun violence prevention groups, such as March For Our Lives San Antonio, TX, Not My Generation, Inc., and Students Demand Action San Antonio. This past year, Alexandra was selected to be a Giffords Courage fellow. This prestigious honor enabled them to visit Washington, D.C., and learn more about the issue of gun violence. Alexandra is currently a Senior at Bennington College, studying Society, Culture and Thought, and Public Action. Last year, they were selected to participate in the coveted Endeavor Foundation Environmental Action Fellowship Program, where they were selected from a competitive pool of applicants. At Bennington, Alexandra is the acting vice president of the Latine Student Association and works to build community solidarity at their school. Alexandra is also a member of the student group GANAS. A student-led organization at Bennington College that provides support to migrant families in Southern Vermont.
In their free time, Alexandra loves to be around their family.
Caroline Crowder (they/them)
Hometown: Houston, TX
School: Denison University
Placement: Rep. Adam Schiff (CA)
Caroline Crowder is a Junior at Denison University, pursuing a major in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Policy. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Caroline is passionate about advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, Title IX reform, and environmental justice.
As Education and PR Director of Outlook, a Gender and Sexuality Coalition, Caroline served as President during their Sophomore year. Furthermore, Caroline currently holds the position of SARNCO Director of Ohio’s Sexual Assault Response Network on Denison’s campus. They are a valued member of their student government’s Executive Board, serving as the Engagement Chair, where they strive to connect students to resources, promote sustainability initiatives, and champion marginalized identities on campus.
In the future, Caroline hopes to continue their work in the LGBTQ+ advocacy space or serve in congressional offices, government sectors, or nonprofits committed to environmental justice. They aspire to be a mentor and advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth. Caroline enjoys being outdoors, creating art, or baking when not tackling important issues. Their ultimate objective for their career is to foster community that provides individuals with the space to live an authentic life, access the necessary resources, and ultimately, become empowered change makers.
CJ King (they/them)
Hometown: West Haven, CT
School: New York University
Placement: Rep. Mark Takano (CA)
CJ King (they/them) is a Senior at NYU Gallatin concentrating in “Protect Trans Youth”: An inQUEERy into K-12 Education, The School to Prison Pipeline, and Punitive, Unfair, School-based Harm that is Overt and Unresponsive to Trauma (P.U.S.H.O.U.T.). In their data analysis and management experience at RISE Lab NYU, they focused on education, legal advocacy, and juvenile justice systems in New York City. As their interests include Law and Policy, they are specifically interested in using abolitionist theory in unpacking the re-entry processes, frequent punitive disciplinary tactics in schools, and lack of connected cross-system collaboration, communication breakdowns between systems (e.g. DOE, ACS, CBOs, and legal systems), and exploring abolitionist futures in education.
