Ralph Munro Institute Internship

Applications are closed for 2020-2021.

Every year, the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education selects students to be part of the Institute's internship program.  Interns help to support Munro Institute activities throughout the school year.  Responsibilities generally include outreach and marketing, coordinating event logistics, and managing electronic media, including the Munro Institute's Facebook page.

Applying for a Munro Internship

The Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education is requesting applications for two interns to support its program activities for the 2020-21 school year. The Munro Institute “is devoted to promoting civic literacy within secondary education and the public at large.”

Internship applicants must be political science majors or minors of at least junior status (90 credits as of June 2020). The position will offer political science administrative internship credit (PLSC 444) for a minimum of 6 credits to be spread across at least fall and winter quarter.  The expected time commitment is 5-7 hours per week depending on institute activities.

Duties of the Institute Intern

Both interns are expected to assist the institute director and program coordinator in Munro Institute programming. We are searching for interns to fulfill duties in two areas:

1. Outreach and Marketing

  • Event Marketing - distributing posters, handbills, etc. to the Associated Students Publicity Center and other designated offices on campus; and to community businesses, agencies, school districts and other community organizations.
  • Venue/Space Coordination - Obtaining space for events (on and off campus), working with facility managers, catering, event services staff, video services, print and copy services, etc.

2. Electronic Media

  • Managing the institute Facebook Page and assisting the director in developing other Internet capacities such as podcasting and webinars, etc.
  • Experience with digital video editing is preferred but not required.

In addition, both interns are expected to perform the following tasks

  • Day-of-Event Operations - Set-up/take-down at events, handling needs of special guests and details (expected and unexpected).
  • Tabling in advance of events and the day of to promote the Munro Institute.

Applying for the Internship

Candidates should provide the following materials in their application file:

  • 500 word personal statement that explains your interest and commitment to public policy, civic education and public affairs and details any experiences you have in outreach/ marketing, electronic communications, and/or event support.   Provide at least one example of your previous involvement in civic education and political engagement more broadly.
  • Academic transcript
  • Resume (with references)

2020-21 Intern

We are delighted to announce that Finn Calvert has been selected as the 2020-21 Munro Intern.  Finn is a Political Science major and a Public Relations minor.  His experience includes being a public relations intern for  the Whatcom Forward Campaign where his responsibilities included managing social media, issuing press releases, running voter outreach software, and contacting voters. One of his assignments was to assist Western Votes in organizing tabling volunteers. Those efforts helped Western gain the highest undergrad voting rate in the nation for large institutions.

We look forward to Finn's contributions to the Munro Institute in the coming year.  Welcome aboard, Finn!

Application Deadline: June 15

Materials should be submitted by email to institute program director, Vernon Johnson, at  Vernon.Johnson@wwu.edu.  Selection will be announced by June 22.