Capitol Pathways
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.
We are gearing up for the 11th program year of Capitol Pathways!
Host application is now open! Apply by November 6.
Student application will open on October 21.
Application now open! Apply by November 6, 2025.
Student application will open on October 21. Stay tuned for more details.
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.
Years of Capitol Pathways
Total interns participated
Total organization intern hosts
Capitol Pathways Updates
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Willow Albano
We continue our Capitol Pathways student spotlights with Willow Albano, a Macalester College student interning at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Sahra Jilaow
Learn more about Sahra Jilaow, a senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities double majoring in Sociology of Law and African & African American Studies. Through Capitol Pathways, she is interning at the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage.
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Armando Akapo-Nwagbo
We begin our 2025 series of Capitol Pathways Student Spotlights by highlighting Armando Akapo-Nwagbo, a senior at Macalester College interning with Fresh Energy.
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
Minnesota Government Relations Council
Otto Bremer Trust
Summer Fund