The Lumbee tribe of North Carolina is offering their congratulations to Jada B. Allen and Zachary C. Young, both Lumbee Citizens, on their selection as 2024 Congressional Interns in the Udall Foundation’s Native American Congressional Internship Program. 

Jada is attending Duke University, while Zachary is attending Michigan State University. The newest class of Udall Interns comprises 12 students representing 9 Tribes and 11 universities from around the country.

Jada is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in public policy, minoring in global health, and earning a health policy certificate at Duke University. Zachary is currently pursuing a Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and graduate from the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

The Udall Interns were selected on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to careers in Tribal public policy. From 1996 through 2023, 318 students from 138 Tribes have participated in the Internship.

The Udall Foundation’s Native American Congressional Internship Program (Internship), comanaged by NNI, provides Native American and Alaska Native undergraduate, graduate, and law students the opportunity to gain practical experience with the Federal legislative process in order to understand firsthand the government-to-government relationship between Tribes and the Federal Government. Interns serve in Congressional and Federal agency offices and often research issues important to Tribal communities, experience an insider's view of the Federal Government, and enhance their understanding of nation-building and Tribal self-governance. The Udall Interns will complete a comprehensive 10-week internship in Washington, D.C. Special enrichment activities will provide opportunities to meet with key policymakers and Native-serving organizations.