CAS CONNECT 2013

13 A recent OSU graduate shadowed some of Oklahoma’s political leaders this past spring while taking part in her dream internship. Laura Lopez, a native of Altus, Okla., spent the last semester of her collegiate career serving as a communications intern for Gov. Mary Fallin at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. Lopez, a public relations major, says her love for politics sparked her desire to pursue the position at the Capitol. “Growing up, I was always much more interested in politics and governmental affairs than most of my friends and class- mates were,” Lopez says. “Coming to study journalism at OSU only increased that interest. I quickly found that the best way to get involved with the field of poli- tics would be to use my writing skills to my advantage.” Some of Lopez’s duties included attending legislative sessions to take notes and listen to the announced admin- istration of bills, as well as writing press releases about events at the Capitol. She also shadowed Meg Dubray, communica- tions director at the Capitol, while occa- sionally working with Fallin. Lopez considers the letters she drafted for the governor as her most important contribution as an intern. She outlined documents addressed to the Oklahoma Political Play OSU graduate puts a Capitol internship on her résumé Laura Lopez (r i ght) i nterned i n Gov. Mary Fal l in’s commun i cat ions of f i ce. “ I t ’s not ever y day that you get to draf t a l et ter for the governor of Ok l ahoma,” she says. “The whole learning Spanish thing has actually become one of my most valuable assets,” Lopez says. “I definitely feel like it’s something that will be able to help me in my professional life.” During her internship, Lopez also saw how valuable certain aspects of her education at OSU were in a professional setting. For instance, a political storm over gun control at the legislature gave her an opportunity to face a real-life crisis and use the basics she learned at OSU, including crisis management, govern- ment relations, and ethical guidelines. Lopez plans to take the skills she’s developed to law school in Denver, where she’ll work toward her dream of becoming a lawyer. “I expect to work for more govern- ment organizations and it’s possible that I’ll try to intern at another state capi- tol,” says Lopez. “I know I’ve got a long way to go before becoming a lawyer, but I’m ready to test the waters and be fully prepared for my professional career.” Academy, the Peoria Tribe and the audi- ence at a National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum gala. Lopez says writing in Fallin’s words was a challenge at first, but it eventually became second nature to her. “It’s not every day that you get to draft a letter for the governor of Oklahoma,” Lopez says. “It was nerve-wracking at times, but my supervisor was great to work with and was able to help me learn throughout the process.” At OSU, Lopez built a strong set of leadership skills and academic achievements. While at Oklahoma State, Lopez served on the Arts and Sciences Student Council, Student Alumni Board and OSU Leadership Conference. She also was a member of the President’s Partners and the OSU French Club. Lopez earned spots on the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls as well as several different scholarships. Lopez’s accomplishments at OSU solidified her status as a determined, hard-working leader. She also displayed impressive time management skills by becoming fluent in Spanish in her spare time. Austin Chappell / words Gov. Mary Fallin’s office / photography