Jo Adams: Leadership Skills & My Internship

Being a Presidential Student Ambassador has helped develop leadership skills and forge a new future for not only VCU, but Virginia. In fall of 2026, I was selected to intern with Senator Mamie E. Locke. After eight years of service, Senator Locke became the third African American woman to win a seat in the Senate of Virginia. Representing the 23rd District, she serves on the various legislative committees and is the Chair of the Rules Committee. During my time in her office, I managed a high volume of email correspondence and ensured constituent requests and inquiries were organized and addressed in a timely fashion. I facilitated constituent meetings with lobbyists, advocates, and other individuals. Additionally, I attended committee meetings and tracked testimony and provided our office with updates on the progress of priority bills. My time at the General Assembly allowed me to not only communicate professionally with leaders and synthesize complex information to make informed decisions but also to plan for a brighter future for Virginia. It is my hope with this experience, that I am able to make the trailblazing Senator Locke proud and create a world where all of us can flourish.