Capitol Pathways opens access to policymaking and public service to the next generation of leaders who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). It is a paid spring internship program for BIPOC students who are currently enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college or university in Minnesota. With the long-term goal of making Minnesota state government and policymaking more representative of our diverse communities, our program provides students legislative and career readiness training alongside an immersive hands-on internship experience during the legislative session.
The application for our 2025 Capitol Pathways Program is now closed.
Join our Capitol Pathways Newsletter to stay updated on the program.
About Capitol Pathways
Everyone should have access to opportunities in public service and policy, and our government should be representative of our diverse communities.
Since 2016, the Capitol Pathways program has placed BIPOC college students in paid internships with government offices, nonprofits, corporations, and law firms where they have gained policymaking experience and built relationships in and around the Capitol.
Each year during Minnesota’s legislative session, interns gain the following to advance their future policy careers:
- Develop relationships with established policy leaders.
- Gain first-hand experience in different policy and government careers.
- Increase their understanding of policymaking and the legislative process.
- Create a strong professional resume.
24%
Percentage of Minnesota’s population who identify as part of the BIPOC community
17%
Current members of the state legislature who identify as BIPOC
300
The number of BIPOC college students that have participated in the program since 2016, many of them continuing their careers in policy and government
Capitol Pathways Updates
Be a Capitol Pathways Host for the 2019 Legislative Session!
Do you work in or around the MN legislature? Lobby at the Capitol, do advocacy work or community organizing? Then support students of color and their path to becoming civic leaders in Minnesota by hosting a Capitol Pathways intern for the 2019 legislative session!...
Students, hosts, supporters and friends gather for Capitol Pathways Celebration
After its third year, Capitol Pathways now has 93 student alums who have worked with 45 different organizations, from nonprofits, to state agencies, corporations and law and lobbying firms.
Citizens League Voice: Capitol Pathways Alums, Up Close and Personal
From the Citizens League Voice magazine: Capitol Pathways alums reflect on their internship experiences in state government and policy. With the long-term goal of making our government truly representative of our communities, the program opens access to the Minnesota capitol to the next generation of leaders of color.
SUPPORT CAPITOL PATHWAYS
A gift of any amount is valuable and goes directly to support the program. Donate today to support BIPOC students and their path to becoming civic leaders in Minnesota.
This program is made possible in part by major donors:
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
McKnight Foundation
Otto Bremer Trust
Summer Fund