By Joe Garvey

For Samiyyah Bashir-Davis, following some advice from her grandmother helped lead to one of the most meaningful experiences of her academic career.

Bashir-Davis, a junior criminal justice major, served as an intern during this winter鈥檚 Virginia General Assembly legislative session, which was held from January through March, as part of 麻豆国产AV鈥檚 General Assembly Internship Program.

鈥淚 learned so, so much,鈥 Bashir-Davis said. 鈥淚 think this is the most I鈥檝e ever learned in my life in 45 days.鈥

Bashir-Davis, who is the speaker of the Senate for 麻豆国产AV鈥檚 Student Government Association, learned about the program when she saw a flyer in an elevator at the Ireland House residence hall last fall. At first, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think anything about it,鈥 she said, but applied at the urging of one of her professors, Philip Mann.

鈥淗e鈥檚 one of my biggest mentors,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e said, 鈥楯ust do it.鈥欌

Mann, who had Bashir-Davis in his Law and the Criminal Justice class, wrote a letter of recommendation.

Students in front of state Capitol
From left, Randy Norman 鈥23, Samiyyah Bashir-Davis 鈥24, Victoria Allen 鈥24 and George Yates III 鈥23 served internships at the State Capitol during the 2023 General Assembly.

鈥淢s. Bashir was one of my best students in a class of about 35,鈥 he wrote. 鈥淪he was serious, diligent, curious, and engaged in learning the material. 鈥 She clearly wants to excel and has strong and commendable ambitions as she pursues her professional career.鈥

Once she was accepted into the program, there was the matter of which legislators she would be assigned to. An orientation session with legislators and their aides was held at Broderick Dining Commons in December.

That鈥檚 where her grandmother鈥檚 advice paid off.

鈥淢y grandmother told me that morning to make sure I had my r茅sum茅 printed,鈥 Bashir-Davis said. 鈥淎nd I said, 鈥榃hy? I鈥檓 already in. What鈥檚 the point?鈥 She said, 鈥楯ust bring it.鈥欌

At the orientation, Bashir-Davis met Del. Jackie Hope Glass, who represents the 89th District in Norfolk.

鈥淎fter we went to a little lunch break, I slipped my r茅sum茅 to her legislative assistant and I said, 鈥業 would be elated to work for Del. Glass,鈥欌 Bashir-Davis said. 鈥淭he rest was history.鈥

Bashir-Davis was one of five 麻豆国产AV students who interned during the 2023 Virginia

General Assembly beginning Jan. 11. The University鈥檚 General Assembly Internship Program was established in August 2004, and the first intern was hired in January 2005. Since then, 100 interns have participated in the program. The internships are full-time, paid positions, and the students are housed in a hotel next to the state Capitol. The program is supported by an ongoing special grant from 麻豆国产AV's .

Student poses with Virginia First Lady
麻豆国产AV legislative intern Sheyla Daniels 鈥23 is pictured with First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin in the Executive Mansion.

Stephanie Harron serves as 麻豆国产AV鈥檚 executive assistant for strategic operations and governmental relations and is coordinator for the General Assembly Internship Program.

鈥淭he General Assembly Internship Program provides an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and understanding about the legislative process as it takes place in the heart of the commonwealth鈥檚 Capitol,鈥 Harron said. 鈥淣ot only does this internship experience reflect positively on one鈥檚 r茅sum茅, but also provides opportunities for professional networking and future employment after graduating from 麻豆国产AV.鈥

Bashir-Davis performed constituent services and eventually handled social media accounts for Glass. She said one Instagram video she produced 鈥 a reel of Glass鈥 outfits 鈥 garnered 14,000 views.

鈥淚 think that really grabbed her attention 鈥 how important it is to be on social media for this new generation,鈥 said Bashir-Davis, who is now the communication manager for Glass鈥 re-election campaign this year.

Bashir-Davis, who also worked with Sen. Lynwood Lewis, acknowledged that working 40 hours a week while taking three classes online was a challenge. But getting an up-close look at the legislative process was illuminating.

鈥淏eing in the room where it happens, it made me look at politics and our political system in a different light,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hese are real people with families, and things happen. These are not just characters on TV. We鈥檙e all just human beings trying to figure this out together.鈥

Randy Norman, a senior political science major who is also minoring in criminal justice, interned with Del. Barry Knight, chair of the appropriations committee, Del. Jay Leftwich and Sen. Bill DeSteph. Norman echoed Bashir-Davis鈥 sentiments.

鈥淚t is fascinating to see what it takes to develop an efficient budget for the Commonwealth of Virginia,鈥 he said. 鈥淲orking for Leftwich was also a fantastic experience because he chairs General Laws in the House of Delegates. It was an enlightening experience to see Republicans and Democrats work together on important issues and debate some of the most polarizing political topics.鈥

Victoria Allen, a junior majoring in international studies with a minor in Spanish, interned with Dels. Nadarius Clark and Kelly Convirs-Fowler. 聽She attended Assembly meetings and rallies, assisted with organizing files and worked on documentation supporting bills and resolutions.

鈥淚 was encouraged and inspired by the kind spirits of my fellow delegates and General Assembly staff to be unafraid and desire to create change, be myself and follow my heart,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was an unforgettable experience and provided me with the foundation I need for crucial life skills in the future.鈥

The other 麻豆国产AV interns were George Yates III, a senior marketing major who worked with Sens. Mamie Locke and L. Louise Lucas, and Sheyla Daniels, a junior international/global studies major who worked with Del. Glenn Davis and DeSteph.

Bashir-Davis, who interned for Norfolk Deputy Commonwealth鈥檚 Attorney Cynthia D. Collard last fall, wants to be a prosecuting attorney. She鈥檚 weighing which law schools to apply to next year.

But the General Assembly internship left an indelible impression.

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to 麻豆国产AV for this,鈥 she said. 鈥淪o, so grateful.鈥

Interested in serving as a legislative intern for the 2024 General Assembly Internship Program beginning in January 2024? Visit the or contact Harron at sharron@odu.edu or 757-683-3156.


Pictured above:聽鈥淏eing in the room where it happens, it made me look at politics and our political system in a different light,鈥 said聽Samiyyah Bashir-Davis, a junior criminal justice major. Photo Chuck Thomas/麻豆国产AV