ACCG Welcomes Spring Interns

ACCG welcomes spring semester interns Payton West and Kate Heidenreich and returning law clerk, Cindy Phan. They will assist the policy and research staff and the law department with special projects, bill analysis, general and local bill tracking, survey collection, and research during the 2024 legislative session. Additionally, they will assist in the update of guidebooks and databases and collect and report county election results for the presidential preferential election.

 

Payton West is completing her final semester at Agnes Scott College, where she is studying political science. Originally hailing from San Antonio, Texas, she developed an interest in politics during her internship with the Mayor of Fort Worth. During the past summer, West gained valuable experience in non-profit work at Trees Atlanta. At school, West actively participates in her college's Student Government Association, where she was elected as her class Treasurer. Following graduation, she aspires to integrate her passion for environmental justice and policy. On her days off, West enjoys cooking, baking, and spoiling her 15-year-old cat, Ruthie.

 

Kate Heidenreich is an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech pursuing a Bachelor of Science in History, Technology, and Society. Her research focus has been in sociology, specifically studying transportation issues and civic participation. Last spring, Heidenreich served as a legislative tracking intern for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget with the Health and Human Services Division. Interested in the intersection of policy and community, she loves research and getting to observe the legislative process. Planning to graduate this upcoming May, Heidenreich is excited to pursue a career in state or local government. 

 

Cindy Phan previously interned with ACCG during the summer of 2023. She is a third-year J.D. student who received her B.A. in International Affairs and Linguistics from the University of Georgia in 2021. She currently serves as an Executive Editor for the Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law, Vol. 52. Phan plans to pursue public interest law either in government or non-profit work. She interned with the Gwinnett County Law Department (GCLD) in 2022 and plans to continue exploring more about municipal and local governance. She received the Sumner Memorial Fund Fellowship to fund her experience with GCLD. Phan loves learning foreign languages. She is fluent in English and Vietnamese, and proficient in Korean. In her free time, she loves exploring new trails with her dog and eating her favorite food, burgers.