In July, the Applied Politics and Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) marked a milestone: its fifth cohort completed a three-semester journey that began in Tallahassee and ended on Capitol Hill. The capstone celebration in Washington, D.C. gathered undergraduates, alumni, and a handful of distinguished guests, illustrating how a classroom can become a launchpad for real-world policy work.
Founded by the Department of Political Science, the APPLE program selects a small group of political-science majors each fall. Over the course of a year, students rotate through a local semester, a spring stint in the Florida State Capitol, and a summer internship in the nation’s capital. The model is built on the premise that immersion inside governmental institutions produces insights that textbooks cannot deliver.
Local semester: probing emergency preparedness in Leon County
The newest cohort kicked off by tackling a pressing municipal challenge: how does a community ready itself for emergencies? Participants met with Leon County Commissioners Brian Welch and Christian Caban, as well as senior officials Kevin Peters, Mathieu Cavell, and Pamela Monroe. These conversations revealed the intricate choreography required among municipal agencies, nonprofit partners, and residents during crises.
Armed with this knowledge, student teams drafted Civic Action Plans that proposed concrete solutions. One notable plan advocated expanding the Leon County Public Library’s “Library of Things” to include emergency-preparedness kits, a concept that was later woven into the county’s 2026 strategic plan. As co-founding director Amanda Driscoll explained, the exercise proved that local government is accessible and that well-researched ideas can shape public policy.
Spring internships: navigating the Florida Capitol
When the legislative session began, APPLE scholars transitioned to the state level through the university’s Governmental Relations Internship Program. Under the mentorship of Director of Federal Relations Josh Duncan and benefitting from funding by the Institute for Governance and Civics, students were placed in the Florida Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and various agencies. The experience sharpened their understanding of legislative drafting, stakeholder engagement, and the day-to-day realities of policy implementation.
One alumnus, former Congressman Jimmy Patronis (B.S. ’96), returned to Capitol Hill for the capstone celebration. He shared three practical lessons for budding public servants: arrive early, listen carefully, and treat every interaction as an opportunity to leave a positive impression. His advice resonated with students eager to translate academic preparation into professional credibility.
Summer capstone: Washington, D.C. internships and alumni networking
The final leg of the program placed students inside Congress, advocacy firms, and government-relations offices across the capital. While working full-time, scholars connected with a robust network of APPLE alumni who now occupy roles in law, policy, and public affairs. These mentors offered guidance on career pathways, reinforcing the program’s claim that participants graduate not merely with a résumé entry but with a tangible professional foothold.
Financial support from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, university benefactors, and the Washington Center ensured that the summer experience remained affordable for all participants. A former cohort member described the journey as “nothing short of transformative,” noting a newfound confidence in navigating legislative processes and a clearer vision of public-service careers.
Impact and the road ahead
Beyond individual growth, APPLE has generated measurable community benefits. The Leon County strategic-plan inclusion of the Library of Things initiative stands as a concrete example of student work influencing policy. Moreover, the program’s alumni have pursued law school, graduate studies, and elected-office campaigns, many returning as mentors to future cohorts, thereby cultivating a self-reinforcing ecosystem of civic engagement.
The incoming 2026-27 cohort will confront a fresh local challenge: improving non-hazardous residential solid-waste services, including garbage collection and recycling, throughout Tallahassee and Leon County. Building on the established three-phase structure—local analysis, state immersion, and national internship—the program aims to equip students with the knowledge, relationships, and confidence to imagine and occupy future public-service roles.
For more information about the APPLE program and the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, prospective students and interested parties are encouraged to visit the college’s official website.
