This month, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute welcomed the 2015 class of Victory Congressional Interns to Washington, D.C. This competitive program places LGBTQ college students in a semester long internship with an LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly member of Congress in their Washington, D.C. office. The eight individuals were selected from a pool of over 100 applicants.
“Victory congratulates this year’s class of exceptional young LGBTQ leaders,” said Aisha Moodie-Mills, president and CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute. “The Victory Congressional Internship is a crucial part of the Victory Institute’s mission – to build and support a network of LGBTQ leaders. I look forward to the role that these eight young people will play in expanding LGBTQ representation.”
Cat Cojocaru – University of Missouri
Office of the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative
Cat Cojocaru is a senior at the University of Missouri, studying public relations in the Missouri School of Journalism and pursuing a second degree in political science. On campus, Cat is the alumnae relations chair of the Eta Chi chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, the public relations chair of Greek Allies, and a member of the Proud Tigers Mentorship Program. Cat also works at the MU Terrorism and Disaster Center as an undergraduate fellow.
Samantha Hubbard – Towson University
Office of Representative Norma Torres
Sam Hubbard is a senior at Towson University, where she studies Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Political Science. Sam serves on the National Coordinating Committee for United We Dream and is a NASPA Undergraduate Fellow. Previously, Sam worked on grassroots campaigns for various state and local organizations, including Equality Maryland and Environment Maryland. On campus, Sam has served as Director of Diversity Outreach for student government and as a Resident Assistant.
Jasper Katz – Bard College
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – Office of Senator Tammy Baldwin
Jasper Katz is a senior at Bard College, where they study Politics. On campus, they are a Peer Counselor, a member of Bard’s Multicultural Diversity Committee and Peer Review Board, and co-head of the Queer Student Association. Jasper has also worked as field organizer on the YES Chattanooga Campaign and with Mainers United, and as a political intern for Progressive Majority Washington.
Yanelis Martinez – State University of New York at Albany
Office of Representative Raúl Grijalva
Yanelis Martinez is a junior at the State University of New York at Albany, where she studies Political Science, Latin America & Caribbean Studies, and LGBTQ* Studies. On campus, Yanelis serves as the Associate Director for the Student Association’s Gender and Sexuality Concerns Department and as a staff assistant in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She is also the President for Shades of Unified Liberation, the queer person of color organization on campus and the founder and Vice President of the student group Unity Amongst Cultures.
Mateo de la Torre – California State University, Chico
Office of Representative Alan Lowenthal
Mateo de la Torre is a senior at California State University, Chico where he is studying Sociology, Multicultural and Gender Studies with an Option in Women’s Studies. On campus, Kory serves as the Executive Vice President of the Associated Students and is the former Vice President of Facilities and Services. He has interned at the AS Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, where he was instrumental in the creation of a new transgender program, and was part of the National Undergraduate Fellowship Program.
Morgan McLaughlin – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Office of Representative Lois Frankel
Morgan McLaughlin is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is studying Political Science and Public Policy. On campus, Morgan is the LGBTQ Project Leader for student government and a program assistant at UNC’s LGBTQ Center. She also works as the Director of Trainings for Rethink: Psychiatric Illness. Next year, Morgan will serve as the Social Chair for Sexuality and Gender Alliance, the foremost LGBTQ organization on campus.
Angela Tang – Whitman College
Office of Senator Patty Murray
Angela Tang is a junior at Whitman College where she studies Economics and Politics. On campus, she works as a council member on the Whitman Inclusion Diversity Equity Council, as a Resident Assistant, and as the Executive Director for the annual Power & Privilege Symposium. Angela recently completed a grassroots organizing fellowship with the Washington Bus and has also interned with the Intercultural Center of Whitman College, serving as GLBTQ Co-President.
Von Dickens Ulsa – University of Hawaii at Manoa
Office of Senator Mazie Hirono
Von Dickens Ulsa is a junior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he studies American Studies, English, and History and is minoring in Filipino. On campus, Von serves as a peer mentor through the GEAR UP Hawaii Undergraduate Initiative and is the Editor-in-Chief of Kalayaan Literary Circle. He is a Chancellor Scholar and an Inouye Legacy Scholar, selected for promoting research ethics in museum studies. Previously, Von has worked at the Honolulu Academy of Art and the New York Historical Society.