Washington, DC— U.S. Senator Jim Risch has selected five college students from around the state of Idaho to serve as summer interns in his Washington, D.C., office. The interns have the opportunity to engage in the national level of government while assisting with constituent services and legislative research.

“Interning in the U.S. Senate is an excellent way to learn about the legislative branch of government and to see where much of our nation’s early history took place,” said Risch. “This group of interns is well qualified and will serve Idaho well.”

The interns are:

• Katie Killpack, of Meridian, a recent graduate from Brigham Young University- Idaho where she earned a degree in communication. Katie previously interned as an assistant to the state budget director at the Idaho State Division of Financial Management. She is the daughter of Kelly and Shelley Killpack.
• Logan Smyser, of Parma, currently a senior at the University of Idaho where she is majoring in public relations. Logan is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and is the immediate past president of College Republicans at the U of I. She is a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. Logan is the daughter of State Senator Melinda and Skip Smyser.
• Mike Olsen, of Eagle, a graduate of Boise State University with a degree in political science with an emphasis in American government, public law, public policy and political philosophy. Mike is the former president of BSU’s Pre-Law Society. He completed a study abroad program in Serbia and surrounding Eastern European areas. He is the son of Gregg and Debbie Olsen.
• Phil Burkett, of Boise, has studied at the College of Idaho and the University of Oregon. He is currently pursuing his nursing degree at Boise State University while fulfilling his interest in politics on the side. He is the son of Mike and Kaydeen Burkett.
• Zakk McKinney, of Malad, a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho with a degree in economics and minors in Spanish and Portuguese. Zakk was president of the Economics Society and a coordinator of the Heber J. Grant Program. He is the son of Robert and Nancy McKinney.

For more information about internships, interested applicants can go to Senator Risch’s website. Applications for the fall session, which runs from September to December, must be received in the Senator’s office by July 15.

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