Meet Catalina!

Hi! My name is Catalina Grieco, and I am a first-year student at Florida State University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Social Welfare. I am also pursuing a certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. This summer, I am thrilled to return to the office of Congressman Buchanan as an intern. Politics has always played a central role in my life (as you can see in the attached photo IMG_1648-1.jpeg), and I am incredibly excited to see how my education at Florida State and the various experiences I’ve gained since that first internship will shape this new chapter.

During my first internship in Congressman Buchanan’s office, I was just a high school sophomore with limited experience in constituent services or legislative processes. Most of my responsibilities back then involved supporting day-to-day office operations. Since that time, I have grown tremendously both academically and professionally. Over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to intern for another United States Congressman, a United States Senator, and for the Florida Legislative Session. These experiences have helped me build a strong foundation in government operations, policy, and public service, and I feel confident in my ability to take on more advanced responsibilities this summer.

I’m particularly eager to explore how theoretical frameworks from my political science studies, such as Max Weber’s model of bureaucracy and Charles Lindblom’s theory of incrementalism, play out in real-world policymaking and constituent engagement. It will be fascinating to observe how these decision-making theories are reflected in the everyday work of a Congressional office, particularly in terms of internal procedures, responsiveness, and policy prioritization. My community goal is to make internship opportunities and information more accessible to students, and I hope that my experiences and research can help support this effort.

This summer, I anticipate assisting with various projects, including the planning and coordination of the 2025 Congressional Law Enforcement Awards. I also look forward to contributing to constituent services, policy research, and legislative tracking. One of my favorite aspects of working in a Congressional office is participating in meetings with lobbyists and advocacy groups. I love hearing about the different issues that people are passionate about and learning how those interests intersect with legislative action.

While I do not aspire to run for political office myself, I believe that gaining a deep understanding of the legislative process is crucial to my future success. I plan to attend law school and pursue a career in the legal field, where I can continue to advocate for equity, justice, and opportunity, especially for underserved communities. Public service, to me, means more than holding office; it means using your knowledge, experience, and voice to create meaningful change, no matter your professional title.

I am excited to return to Congressman Buchanan’s office this summer and grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as a student and professional.