UNF Legislative Scholars Program gives students a launchpad for careers in public service

During Florida's 2026 legislative session, University of North Florida senior Audrey McGrath spent her days at the Capitol, gaining firsthand experience in the policymaking process that has always interested her.

Her years in leadership roles on UNF's campus and learning from faculty helped prepare her for the opportunity to work in Florida Rep. Kiyan Michael's office, where she applied what she learned in classes and grew personally and professionally.

McGrath earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and political science in May, along with minors in leadership and American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. During her time at UNF, she immersed herself in campus life and jumped at the chance to learn firsthand about the state legislative process.

"I was heavily involved in Greek Life, the Hicks Honors College, Student Government Senate and the UNF Legislative Scholars Program," said McGrath. "Each experience taught me something different about leadership and how to work alongside people toward a common goal."

While at UNF, McGrath served as president of the Panhellenic Council and president of the Student Government Senate, dual roles she since learned not all universities allow. Through those roles, she learned about collaboration with different groups, navigating challenges and advocating for her fellow students. She was also selected as a featured speaker for the Taylor Leadership Institute's annual Taylor Talks and participated in a student leadership panel, sharing her experiences with community leaders from across Northeast Florida.

Real-world experience at the state level

For the past five years, UNF has placed 16 students in legislative internships in Florida, helping them learn the process and gain invaluable experience in their future careers, said Ray Walker, assistant vice president of Government Relations. The students are connected with other universities' interns throughout the session.

McGrath's passion for leadership and civic engagement led her to the UNF Legislative Program, where she spent the spring semester interning in the office of Rep. Michael during the 2026 legislative session in Tallahassee.

"It was really exciting to be at the Capitol every single day during session," said McGrath. "It was a really cool environment because everyone there really cares about what's happening, and we're all just in it together."

The experience deepened her understanding of government operations while strengthening her communication skills, navigating professional environments and building relationships. Working with constituents, community leaders and legislative staff gave her a broader perspective on public service and the many paths people take to become involved in the political process.

Support of the UNF community

Throughout the program, McGrath said she felt supported by faculty, mentors and fellow scholars as she navigated the fast-paced environment of the legislative session.

The experience was especially meaningful for McGrath, who grew up in Tallahassee with a long interest in public policy and government.

Growing up, while her classmates wanted to be astronauts or doctors, McGrath wanted to be a lobbyist. After participating in the program, this interest has expanded from wanting to represent special interest groups to now wanting to focus her efforts on public service, while keeping her options open to the private sector.

McGrath credits many of her UNF courses with preparing her for the experience, particularly former Ambassador Nancy Soderberg's Real World Policy course. In the class, students researched global policy challenges and developed solutions before traveling to Washington, D.C., where they presented recommendations to government officials, ambassadors and other stakeholders.

The course gave McGrath insight into the policymaking process and helped her understand the perspectives of lobbyists, constituents and public officials.

One of the highlights of McGrath's legislative experience was connecting with leaders from Northeast Florida.

"My representative had the opportunity to represent the community in the Jacksonville Beach area," she said. "I was able to meet city council members and mayors, learn their stories and gain insight into local government. That was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience."

The Legislative Scholars Program continues to create meaningful opportunities for UNF students interested in government, policy and public administration, connecting them with state legislative leaders.

"The caliber of students that I have been connected with through the UNF internship program has been great," said Florida State Senator Clay Yarborough, whose office has hosted multiple UNF interns. "They are willing, engaged, hardworking and professional. Every students I've worked with has jumped right in and contributed. UNF has done a great job with this program, and I think it's going to benefit these students for years to come."

A possible future career in legislative law

Today, McGrath is working as a records coordinator in the Jacksonville office of Wicker Smith, a full-service litigation law firm, where she manages legal records, files and submits subpoenas, and follows up on outstanding documentation requests. While gaining professional experience, she is also considering her next steps, including possibly attending law school.

While trying to solidify her plans for the future, the Legislative Scholars Program reinforced her passion for government and public service.

"From my experiences in the program, I really developed a love for the legislature," McGrath said. "Long term, I could see myself working as an attorney at the state level or serving on a legislative staff."