Southard spends summer interning in McConnell’s DC office
Southard with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Southard, an Owensboro, Ky.-native, is completing a legislative internship in U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell’s Washington, DC, office focused on education, transportation and labor policy.
According to the senator’s website, internships are designed to facilitate firsthand knowledge of the Congressional process. As a legislative intern, Southard’s duties include drafting responses to constituent requests and researching current legislation. Southard also leads regular tours of the Capitol for visiting constituents.
“Interning in Senator McConnell’s office has been a wonderful opportunity,” Southard said. “The McConnell Center provided scholarship funds that helped make this internship happen. Much gratitude to my parents, Dr. Gregg, Ms. Allen, Ms. Grider Jones, Ms. Skaggs Speth and Mr. Vowels for the chance to live and work in our nation’s capital."
Southard joins senior McConnell Scholar Meghan Waters, who is interning in McConnell’s DC office this summer as a Henry Clay Intern.
Southard is pursuing a double major in political science and history at the University of Louisville. In addition to serving as Vice Chair of the McConnell Scholars Program, he is also secretary of UofL’s College Republicans, a member of the Library Advisory Board and a group leader for the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
By Mary Elizabeth Young, McConnell Scholar ‘16