Student Lands Internship at the Nation’s Capitol After Completing State Capitol Internship

Published on May 30, 2023

By Makenzie Winkler

Rylee Meachum

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) risk management and insurance major, Rylee Meachum, is one of this year's selected participants for the Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP). Throughout this semester, the Harlan, Kentucky native has spent Tuesdays and Thursdays interning under Representative Ashley Tackett Laferty at the Kentucky State Capitol. Laferty graduated from EKU in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. 

“It has been wonderful to work with a fellow mountain woman. I've learned so much from Representative Tackett Laferty,” said Meachum, a junior. “It’s inspiring to see a woman from my area doing such incredible and big things. This internship has helped me so much—I was able to gain a summer internship in D.C. due to my involvement in the CCIP.”

Participants for the CCIP are selected after a competitive application process, which requires EKU juniors and seniors to have a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.2 major GPA and completion of POL 101: Introduction to American Government.

“My business degree from EKU has really pushed my experience forward,” said Meachum. “The best part so far has been being able to meet so many different people who are leading our state, as well as networking with representatives.”