MAPIS2025

MAPIS2025

MAPIS2025

8th Annual Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit - MAPIS2025

Monday, August 4th, 2025

 Congressman Frank Pallone behind a Rowan podium holding a microphone Two male students and one female students compare bingo sheets during the MAPIS2024 networking activity A female student with brown hair accepts a purple RIPPAC T-shirt from a volunteer at the end of MAPIS2024.

MAPIS2025 draws more than 140 political interns for inspiration and networking 

Former NJ Governor Chris Chris sitting across from RIPPAC Director Benjamin Dworkin in conversation at MAPIS2025

Rowan University yesterday hosted the 8th annual Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit (MAPIS2025), welcoming more than 140 college students from more than 70 colleges and universities. MAPIS2025 was organized and hosted by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship, RIPPAC.

The students, all of whom interned in politics this summer, gathered for a day of learning, networking and engagement with some of the region’s most influential public figures, including former two-term N.J. Gov. Chris Christie and U.S Rep. Herb Conaway (N.J.-3).

“This unique conference is RIPPAC’s signature event, and now in its 8th year we have more interns from more schools than ever before,” said RIPPAC Founding Director Ben Dworkin. “In today’s bitterly partisan world, where cynicism often seems to reign, MAPIS stands out for gathering and encouraging those who continue to believe they can make a difference through public service.”

Read more at Rowan Today!

Speakers & Panelists:

  • Dr. Janelle Alexander (Assistant Vice President, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Rowan University
  • Hon. Chris Christie (Former Governor of New Jersey)
  • Hon. Herb Conaway (U.S. Representative, NJ-3)
  • Mike DeLamater (President & CEO, Market Street Strategies)
  • Kate Gibbs (Executive Director, NJ Republican State Committee)
  • Fatima Heyward (President, Young Democrats of America)
  • Paul Josephson (Partner, Duane Morris)
  • Ed Kaczmarski (Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross)
  • Sean Kennedy (CGI)
  • Laura Matos (Partner, MAD Global Strategy Group)
  • Hon. Julio Mendez (Retired Judge, New Jersey Superior Court)
  • Matt Mowers (President, Valcour global strategy firm)
  • Donna Mullins (Chair, Winning Strategies Washington)
  • Rajiv Parikh (Founding Partner, PEM Law)
  • Hon. Patrick Murphy (Former Congressman, former Acting Secretary of the Army)
  • Sam Parkinson (Senior Advisor and Political Director, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons)
  • Grace Power (General Counsel and EVP, Government Affairs, Solar Landscape)
  • Dr. Brett Pulliam (Assistant Vice President of the Student Success and Inclusion Programs, Rowan University)
  • Sue Ramanathan (Advisor for homeland security)
  • Christina Renna (President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern NJ)
  • Chris Russell (Checkmate Strategies)
  • Eric Shuffler (Founding Partner, River Crossing Strategy Group)
  • Christine Stearns (Chief Government Relations Officer, New Jersey Hospital Association)
  • Theresa Vaccaro (Political Director, National Republican Congressional Committee)
  • Frank Vespa-Papaleo (Fair Lending Director, U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Thank you to our sponsors: 

  • Atlantic City Electric
  • Creamer Jingoli
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Inspira Health
  • New Jersey American Water
  • New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)
  • New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP)
  • South Jersey Industries