The real-world experience gained from recent legislative and judicial internships resulted in life-changing opportunities for UNC Pembroke students Whitney Peck and Trinity Murray.
Peck––only the second UNCP student in recent memory to land an internship with the N.C. Court of Appeals––interned with Judge Jefferson Griffin. Murray participated in an 18-week legislative internship with Sen. Rachel Hunt, daughter of former four-term Gov. Jim Hunt. Murray is the first UNCP student to be accepted to the North Carolina General Assembly Legislative Internship program through N.C. State University.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience,” Murray said. “I got to see in real life what I’ve been learning about my entire college career––the informal and formal aspects of the legislative process. I’m so grateful to the chancellor’s office and the campus community for this opportunity.”
Murray gained insight into political messaging and public relations, helped craft Sen. Hunt’s constituent newsletters and interviewed senators and elected officials.
“Sen. Hunt is an absolute force and an inspiration to any woman seeking a career in politics or public service,” Murray said. “This experience reaffirmed my desire to be involved in the public sector helping North Carolinians.”
Murray, who earned a political science degree in May and is currently enrolled in the MPA program, would like to start a nonprofit for Robeson County youth who have aged out of foster care.
Peck, a senior political science major, said participating in a moot court competition during the final week of her internship was the highlight of her experience in Raleigh.
“We got to argue a case that has gone through the court of appeals and will be heard by the state Supreme Court,” Peck said. “I got to work closely with the clerks and write briefs from active cases on which Judge Griffin was making decisions. I interacted with the Supreme Court justices, including Judge Trey Allen, a UNCP grad.”
After graduation, Peck is considering becoming a Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) officer in the U.S. Army and transitioning to international policy.
“As the only undergraduate intern this summer, it was great to represent UNCP among law students at some of the bigger law schools,” she said. “It was an amazing experience.”
