Turning Passion into Policy: Cesar Ibarra-Lopez ’26 interns with Sen. Tim Kaine

 Cesar Ibarra-Lopez ’26 spent a life-changing summer interning with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine’s office on Capitol Hill. 

“It was one of the most formative experiences of my undergraduate years,” said the political science major, who received support from the Randolph Innovative Student Experience (RISE) grant program during the internship. “And it will continue to guide me.” 

Interning for a Virginia senator was particularly rewarding for Ibarra-Lopez, who grew up in Nelson County. 

“I am proud to be from Virginia and wanted to deepen my understanding of legislative affairs while contributing to my home state’s representation in Congress,” he said.

 “When I began considering where to apply, Virginia’s senators were at the top of my list,” he added. “I was especially interested in joining Senator Kaine’s office. His work on national security, foreign policy, and bipartisan cooperation aligned closely with my academic interests.”  

Ibarra-Lopez served from late June through early August, a particularly fast-paced, critical time in the legislative calendar. He attended congressional hearings, where he witnessed the “nuance, negotiation, and compromise that goes into every decision.”

He also drafted reports, led tours of the Capitol, and took calls from constituents, which offered a window into the importance of empathy in public service. 

“It reminded me that every policy decision has a direct impact on people’s lives, and those people deserve to be heard,” he wrote in his RISE reflection essay. 

Ibarra-Lopez’s interest in government and politics—and a desire to become an advocate—started young. His time at Randolph has only sharpened those passions.  

“It introduced me to the economic side of decision-making,” he said. “Having that dual perspective deepens my understanding of how policies are shaped and equips me to be a stronger problem-solver and advocate in today’s complex world.” 

Back on campus, he remains committed to championing the causes close to his heart. 

“This internship showed me there are countless ways to make a difference and reinforced the importance of using one’s voice to drive change,” he said. “I want to be an advocate for those who feel unheard to remind them that they do have a voice, and that together, we can overcome the challenges before us.”