Ohio University senior lands prestigious internship with National League of Cities

Kinga Turoczi, a senior political science major at Ohio University and a Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholar, was selected for the prestigious Jeff Finkle Internship at the National League of Cities (NLC) in Washington, D.C. 

The NLC is a national organization of city, town and village leaders who are focused on improving the quality of life for their current and future constituents

This achievement is not only a significant step in Turoczi’s academic career but also highlights a growing relationship between Ohio University and the NLC, currently led by Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, who serves as the NLC’s president.

Turoczi’s involvement with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, where she works on projects for the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress, initially sparked her interest in the intersection of policy and economic development—ultimately leading her to pursue the NLC internship.

"I’ve always known as a policy major that I would need to make my way to D.C. at some point, so this internship just felt like the perfect fit,” Turoczi said. “I thought, ‘Why not put in the work now?’ It’s great timing and a great organization to be involved with."

Her work at the NLC will focus on some of the nation’s most pressing economic challenges, including housing shortages, an area Patterson has championed both locally and nationally.

"This is a perfect convergence of leadership and opportunity," Patterson said. "Kinga’s work at NLC will be tied directly to tackling economic development issues, especially housing, which is a crucial factor for attracting businesses and residents to communities like Athens."

For Turoczi, this internship offers a chance to expand her knowledge beyond political science and explore its connection to business and economic policy, all while preparing for her entry into Ohio University’s MBA program.

"Political science has always been my passion, but I’m excited to deepen my understanding of economic development," Turoczi said. “It’s a bit daunting, but this hands-on experience at NLC will help me see how these fields intersect.”

Turoczi’s academic work and research at Ohio University have prepared her for this challenge. As part of the OHIO Honors Program, she has developed a strong foundation in policy research, and she looks forward to building on that experience while working in Washington, D.C.

Corianne Rice, director of entrepreneurship and economic development at the NLC, said the team is excited to welcome Turoczi, noting her internship will be pivotal in developing research-driven solutions to the challenges communities face across the Appalachian region and beyond.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ohio University’s Kinga Turoczi to the National League of Cities' Entrepreneurship and Economic Development team as an intern this summer,” Rice said. “Kinga’s background in political science, research experience with the Voinovich School, and demonstrated commitment to community engagement make her a wonderful addition to our organization as well as our national leadership pipeline.”