The IOP aims to inspire in students an active interest in public service. Through student-led leadership development programs and workshops, young people develop the tools to become leaders, public servants and advocates.
Our leadership groups are open to all students.
The Student Advisory Board is responsible for bringing new students into the IOP, building an IOP community, and advising IOP staff and senior leadership. The time commitment is 5-10 hours a week. IOP experience and leadership preferred.
IOP house interns and grad assistants work closely with IOP staff to facilitate programming and gain experience in event production, data management, communications and more. Paid opportunity. 10-15 hours a week. No IOP experience necessary.
This coming school year, students have the chance to propose and lead their own projects or initiatives. You could do a service project with a community organization, a leadership development program or something completely different. If you see a need not being filled by the IOP’s current programs and events, you can design your own! Accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Career Ambassadors assist the Career Development with professional development programming. Ambassadors will lead career roundtables with visiting speakers and fellows and assist the CD team with putting on career workshops. Ambassadors will also share their expertise with students through peer office hours. 3-5 hour a week time commitment. IOP experience (particularly with IOP internships) is preferred but not required.
Fellows Ambassadors function as the chief liaisons for Fellows, assisting with their IOP engagements and serving as their guide to student life. In addition, it is a unique opportunity for students to benefit from mentorship from some of the most successful practitioners in politics and public service. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP experience necessary (must have attended IOP fellows seminars). Applications are always open!
UChiVotes is a student-led, nonpartisan voter engagement initiative created to boost voter turnout and engagement on the UChicago campus. If you’re interested in making sure UChicago students turn out to vote in every election, apply to be on the board! 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP experience necessary (a passion for voting required).
We help you vote, no matter what.
We provide you with the information you need to vote with confidence. Sign up for election reminders and get help with voter registration and voting by mail — all in one place!
Voting ambassadors are in charge of mobilizing voters, directing students to UChiVotes content, and engaging their personal networks and RSOs. Come to a voting ambassador training, and use your voice to help people vote!
Through a diverse slate of student-led programs, students develop the tools to become leaders, advocates, and public servants.
Leaders of Color is a student civic engagement group for students of color. LoC organizes a yearly leadership development cohort, events focused on public service and politics, and provides community-building opportunities for students. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP experience necessary.
Spectrum is a student civic engagement group for LGBTQ+ students. Spectrum organizes a yearly leadership development cohort, events focused on public service and politics, and runs several community service projects. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP experience necessary.
W+ is a student civic engagement group for women and gender minorities. W+ organizes a yearly leadership development cohort, a yearly service cohort, events focused on public service and politics, and provides community-building opportunities for students. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP experience necessary.
The Gate is UChicago’s political review. Students involved with The Gate learn and practice the basics of political journalism through weekly workshops. Throughout the year, students will write their own articles. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. The Gate writing experience preferred.
Bridge brings volunteers into Cook County Jail to provide voter education and into Illinois Youth Center to provide creative writing workshops. Bridge also puts on events focused on criminal justice. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP experience necessary.
Tech Team works to create websites, build apps, and create digital tools for community organizations and local government. Tech Team also puts on events focused on civic tech, and provides tech workshops and opportunities to grow skills. 3-5 hours a week time commitment. No IOP or tech experience necessary.
Chicago Style puts on speaker events focused on Chicago and Illinois politics. Gain experience in event production while bringing together local journalists, activists, politicians, community members and students. Applications open Fall 2025.
The International Policy Program (IPP) is a student-run event committee that brings experts, journalists, government officials and more to campus to discuss foreign policy and international politics. Applications open Fall 2025.
Throughout the academic year, the Institute of Politics challenges UChicago students to propose solutions to major issues in local, national, and global politics.
This spring, we're tasking students with coming up with recommendations to the president for making the government more responsive and efficient. The winning team will be awarded $500 per team member. The deadline to register your team is Thursday, April 17th. No policy experience required!
The IOP provides hundreds of paid politics and public service internships during the summer and the academic year.
Applications for summer internships are live now!
