Student Organizing & Legislative Advocacy Intern

The Education Trust (EdTrust) is seeking a Student Organizing & Legislative Advocacy Intern to support our grassroots coalition work, with a focus on student organizing, movement-building, and legislative advocacy in key states with an equity lens. This role is ideal for someone excited about student led change, centering students of color and low-income students in higher education and building sustainable networks of action.

This intern will support the institutionalizing of student advocacy and organizing at ETN; including but not limited to: student outreach, and capacity-building efforts with a strong focus on advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion at higher education institutions, state-level student engagement, and strengthening ETN’s connections with emerging student initiatives. This intern will also support legislative advocacy across multiple states. Providing planning, logistical support, and state legislative tracking.

This full-time hybrid role, beginning February 23, 2026, is based in our Washington, DC office and will last approximately 12 weeks. The Student Organizing & Legislative Advocacy Intern will report to the Assistant Director, State Advocacy & Engagement. Interns must reside in DC, Maryland, or Virginia during the internship and report to the EdTrust National Office within three days of hire for employment verification. 

The responsibilities and objectives for the role may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify and track emerging student-led initiatives, coalitions, and advocacy efforts in ETN priority states.
• Strengthen and build relationships with student government leaders, DEI-affiliated campus organizations (Black Student Unions, cultural centers, cultural/ethnicity based groups, etc. student organizers and statewide student boards (e.g., SCHEV in VA).
• Strengthen ties to DMV-based student coalitions such as “Hands Off Our Schools,” supporting their organizing goals and visibility. 
• Assist with the review and implementation of a student-centered framework or toolkit for coalition-building in new or emerging states.
• Assist with legislative advocacy efforts across multiple states, including tracking bills, monitoring policy developments, and preparing legislative summaries.
• Provide planning and logistical support for advocacy campaigns, meetings, and events with policymakers and partner organizations.
• Support the development of advocacy materials, including fact sheets, briefings, and outreach communications to advance organizational priorities. 

• Committed to racial equity and justice for students. 
• Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on racial equity
• Passionate about education equity, youth organizing, and grassroots advocacy.
• Willingness to receive and act upon, as well as provide, constructive feedback
• Strong written communication skills
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently while collaborating across a virtual team.
• Ability to organize, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines 
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A recent graduate or currently enrolled in a degree program
• Experience with the legislative process including but not limited to advocacy at the local, state, and/or federal level. 
• Experience in leading or supporting student-centered advocacy campaigns. 
• Familiarity with student governance, campus programs and resources that support diversity, equity and inclusion or campus advocacy and/or activism as a plus.

The pay for this role ranges from $19-$20/hour for undergraduate students and recent grads to $21-$24 for graduate students. In order to maintain equity within our intern payscale, we do not negotiate on intern pay rates; pay rates for internships are primarily determined based on level of education. Sick leave is accrued in this role.               

At EdTrust, the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. As such, all EdTrust employees are required to be fully vaccinated and remain up to date on their vaccinations for COVID-19. Any new interns should be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to their first day of work. Requests for accommodation due to medical or religious reasons will be reviewed by Human Resources.  

EdTrust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.