FHU Students Serve in State Capitol Internships, Gaining Firsthand Experience in Public Policy

Four Freed-Hardeman University students traded their usual classroom routines this spring for a front-row seat to the Tennessee state government. Seniors Audrey Fairman, Abigail Leland, Lauren Cabrera and Piper Harris were selected to participate in the highly regarded Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, spending the semester working alongside lawmakers, researchers and policy advisors in Nashville.

Each student interned full-time at the Capitol, supporting legislative offices, attending committee meetings and contributing to public policy conversations that shape the lives of Tennesseans. “It’s a rigorous and rewarding experience,” said Audrey Fairman, a law and politics major from Crossville, Tennessee, who interned with Rep. Yusuf Hakeem of Chattanooga (District 28). “The days are long, and the work is challenging, but it teaches you so much about government, communication and yourself.”

Fairman’s responsibilities included helping draft talking points on key issues such as education, immigration, affirmative action and diversity. She said she enjoyed the exposure to a range of views and the opportunity to learn how policy is shaped behind the scenes. “One of the hardest things was realizing not everyone thinks the same way,” she said. “It’s challenging, but it pushes you to really listen and understand where people are coming from—especially if you want to advocate for issues that matter.”

FHU Seniors Audrey Fairman, Abigail Leland, Lauren Cabrera and Piper Harris spent their Spring semester participating in the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program.

Throughout the semester, all four interns participated in orientation sessions, Friday reflection meetings, and field trips—including one to Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. The program also required students to maintain a journal, complete final papers and navigate a full-time schedule from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Fairman, who plans to pursue a Master of Public Administration from either UT Knoxville or Lipscomb University, said the experience confirmed her interest in state-level policy work, particularly in areas such as mental health, immigration reform and women’s rights. “I’ve learned how important it is to advocate—not just for yourself, but for others, even when people don’t agree with you,” she said. “If we want to see change, we have to be willing to show up, speak up and do the work.”

Fairman credits the guidance of internship coordinator Shirley Briarson and her fellow students for helping her stay motivated throughout the spring. “We had a great team of interns from FHU, and it was encouraging to know others from our campus were sharing in the experience,” she said.

The Tennessee Legislative Internship Program is open to students of all majors and backgrounds and provides credit, experience and access to state leaders and decision-makers. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” Fairman said. “Even if you don’t want to go into politics, it’s worth seeing how things really work and how you can make a difference.”