FROM BALTIMORE CITY TO CAPITOL HILL
Ervin Bishop ’15 networks his way to becoming congressional staffer Ervin Bishop ’15 was a shy and soft-spoken high schooler when he first arrived at the University of Maryland, but today, he is thriving as a legislative correspondent and systems administrator for U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.). Ervin drafts legislative responses, meets with constituents, trouble-shoots technology problems, and hires and supervises congressional interns (including IAP student Jocelyn Nolasco ’19), among many other duties. IAP Director Jacqueline Lee caught up with Ervin during a rare quiet moment in Cummings’ Washington, D.C., office.
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IN TOUCH SPRING 2018
As you close in on two years working in the office of Congressman Cummings, how do you describe your budding career in politics? It’s been a whirlwind. I pinch myself every day regardless of how difficult things may seem because I know there are others who would kill for an opportunity like this. I'm always grateful and look at the positive aspects of this position. As a freshman, you were an engineering major. How did you end up in a public service career? I must have changed my major about five times! It was my IAP mentor, Dr. Nina Harris (associate dean, School of Public Policy), who got me excited about the realm of public policy. She encouraged me to be part of the Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program and, through it, I was able to have open dialogues about various policy issues facing society. It inspired me to find tangible solutions to problems that plague my community on a national and global scale. Landing an internship after graduation with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation paved the way for a position as staff assistant in Congressman Cummings’ office.
When I think about meeting you as a high school student, I can hardly believe that young man is the same person I know today. You have evolved so much. Tell me about this metamorphosis. When I got to college, I was an insecure person, very introverted, unsure of myself, and suffered from self-esteem issues. But as the years went by, I met regularly with IAP staff and grew to be confident in who I was. I was open to the academic resources at Maryland to improve my writing and math skills. Also, speaking with my peers at MerVo (Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School), as IAP required me to do, improved my communication skills. Having those resources and opportunities available to me was invaluable. My relationship with God has kept me grounded, and my mom and friends have helped me so much. It’s remarkable that I’ve made so much progress in such a short period of time.
constituency and address questions or suggestions for a bill that’s up for consideration on the House floor. The letters are critical in developing the fundamentals so I can advance to a position as a legislative assistant or legislative director in the future.
What is the highlight of your job? I enjoy drafting constituent response letters because it involves an extensive amount of research and helps me to synthesize information from many different sources. It helps me to write critically in a way that engages the congressman’s
What would you tell IAP students? Build your resume, intern and be open to the possibilities! If anyone had told me years ago that I’d be working in Congressman Cummings’ Washington, D.C., office, I would have said, ‘Absolutely not!’ It’s been a dream come true.
What is one of the most memorable moments during your time on the Hill? One day, I had a conversation with the congressman and he told me how much he appreciates all the things I’ve done so far and that he noticed some of the improvements I’ve made since starting in the office. He said he could see my growth and my newfound confidence in how I interact with the staff and my ability to supervise and manage the interns. It was so affirming to hear him say that he was really proud of me and that I went far beyond what anyone expected of me.
PHOTO BY EMILY CHASTAIN