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ASU Senior Wins Congressional Internship

August 17, 2016

Johnny Mata, a senior political science major at Angelo State University, has been selected as the fifth participant in the ASU Political Science and Philosophy Department’s Government and Public Service Internship Program in Washington, D.C.

A San Angelo native, Mata will spend the fall 2016 semester working as an intern in the office of U.S. Congressman Michael Conaway, who represents the 11th Congressional District that includes San Angelo. Mata will live at the Texas Tech House with other interns from Texas Tech University and will receive an $8,000 stipend to help defray the costs of living in Washington, D.C. 

“I want to hopefully make some connections to help me start a career in Washington, D.C.,” Mata said. “I also hope to gain leadership skills that will be necessary for me to advance in whatever career I choose. I’m looking into the State Department and the Foreign Service, so hopefully this internship will be a foundation for me to advance toward that type of career.” 

Scheduled to graduate in May 2017, Mata is a business management minor and a prior member of ASU’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 and the Arnold Air Society. 

“I’d really like to thank the ASU political science faculty and staff for all they’ve done for me,” Mata said. “Without them, this internship wouldn’t have happened. I’m happy to represent them in Washington, D.C.” 

Launched in 2013, the Government and Public Service Internship Program is open to ASU upperclassmen majoring in political science. It is designed to help participating students develop networking skills and build knowledge of public policy. Student interns also earn six credit hours in political science.