Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit (MAPIS)

Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit (MAPIS)

Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit

9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit (MAPIS2026)

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Making connections: MAPIS2026 empowers future public service professionals

August 10, 2026

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell standing on a stage in behind a podium, speaking to a room of college students

Nearly 150 students from more than 70 colleges and universities spent their summer day skill building, networking and learning at Rowan University’s Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit (MAPIS2026).

Hosted by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC), the conference on August 6 was free to any college student with a summer internship in politics, government or issue advocacy. According to RIPPAC Founding Director and New Jersey political analyst Ben Dworkin, attendees came from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and as far away as Washington, D.C.

“You should all understand, this is unique,” Dworkin told the assembled students. “We haven’t found anyone else who brings together college students interning across government, campaigns, public affairs and issue advocacy, regardless of their employer or university. This is it.”

Read more at Rowan Today!

Speakers & Panelists:

  • Steve Adubato, Ph.D. (Broadcaster, author, and motivational speaker)
  • Dr. Janelle Alexander (Assistant Vice President, Student Access Program at Rowan University)
  • Eric Arpert (Political Consultant)
  • Mishael Azam (UnitedHealth Group)
  • T. Missy Balmir (Political Strategist)
  • Matt Braun (Winning Strategies Washington)
  • Hon. Dale Caldwell (Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State of New Jersey)
  • Tim Cunningham (Business Administrator, City of Camden)
  • Brianna Donahue (Director of Policy & Government Affairs, Inspira Health)
  • Kristen Doran (Director of Operations, Office of U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. - DC)
  • Kevin Drennan (Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs - Saddle Brook, NJ)
  • Kate Gibbs (Deputy Director, ELEC 825)
  • Tyler Grant (Office of NJ State Sen. Mike Testa)
  • Hon. Christine Giordano Hanlon (Monmouth County Clerk and State Chair, NJ Republican Party)
  • Rachel Holland (Executive Director, The Hamilton Partnership)
  • James Lamond (Executive Director, Trusted Future)
  • Laura Matos (Partner, MAD Global Strategy Group)
  • Kyle Melander (District Director, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick)
  • Mike Muller (Senior Strategist, TargetSmart) 
  • Rajiv Parikh (Founding Partner, PEM Law)
  • Dr. Brett Pulliam (Assistant Vice President, Pathway Program at Rowan University)
  • Sue Ramanathan (Advisor for homeland security)
  • Christine Shipley (Managing Director, Stevens & Lee Public Affairs)
  • Alexandra Wilkes (Perigean Strategies)

Thank you to our sponsors:

Platinum Level:

  • Amazon
  • AT&T
  • Comcast
  • Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
  • IBEW Local 102
  • MBI
  • New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR)
  • NJM Insurance Group

Gold Level:

  • CSG Law
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MDA Public Affairs
  • New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)
  • New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA)
  • New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP)
  • New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA)
  • South Jersey Industries (SJI)
  • The Zita Group

Check out our MAPIS2026 photo album!