Summer is a season to enjoy exploring and new adventures. That is especially true for students embarking on summer internships, like these bold adventurers who joined the NC Office of State Budget and Management for summer 2026.
2026 Interns
Josh Davis
“I've built skills in strategic communication, change management, and planning, and deepened my knowledge of state government and budgeting. Both projects taught me to present complex information clearly for audiences with varying backgrounds.”
As part of the State Budget Replacement Project, Josh developed updates and announcements to inform agencies and universities on North Carolina's new budget system, learning about software implementation and large-scale government change along the way. He also balanced complex state budgeting concepts with user-friendly design to create a tool that helps residents understand state budget trade-offs.
Josh is pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Out of office: "In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching hockey. One of the highlights of spending the summer in Raleigh was watching the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup. Go Canes!"
Mitch Dennis
“I honed my analytical skills by interpreting budget data, enhanced my communication by translating complex information, and developed collaboration and problem-solving skills through hands-on work with cross functional teams and state agencies.”
Mitch analyzed the Office of Administrative Hearings’ Employment Discrimination Section by reviewing legislation and codes, building comparison matrices, and transforming research into actionable findings. He also examined how states manage disaster debris, comparing North Carolina’s responses to past hurricanes with those in neighboring states and made recommendations for future preparedness.
Mitch is a recent graduate of the Master of Public Administration program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a concentration in public policy analysis.
Out of office: "In my spare time I like to go to the beach and enjoy a good book."
Brandon Dwyer
“Developing AI integrated coding, time series forecasting, and machine learning skills have all enhanced my role as a policy analyst.”
Brandon worked with the Demographic and Economic Analysis team to build machine learning models for alternative tax revenue forecasting and compared their effectiveness to OSBM's current time series model. He also assessed the adequacy of the cash deposit option for establishing proof of financial responsibility under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act.
Brandon is pursuing a Master of International Studies from North Carolina State University.
Out of office: "I greatly enjoy identifying, foraging, and propagating NC native edible plants!"
Luis Garcia Abundis
"As a proud North Carolinian, I have enjoyed learning and working alongside passionate people at OSBM dedicated to producing meaningful work that impacts our state's future and improves the everyday lives of all communities."
Luis worked with Demographic and Economic Analysis to quantify federal and state funding received by North Carolina counties through census-dependent programs like Medicaid, CDBG, and SNAP to estimate undercount costs. He also generated insights into peer states’ best practices and management of State Survey Agencies, which are responsible for inspecting and certifying regulated healthcare facilities.
Luis is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.
Out of office: "I love to dance and am part of a Latin dance team at Duke. As a member of Duke Sabrosura, I dance salsa, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton."
Bella Jansson
“Curiosity drove my policy research process and has made me a better public servant. I have learned to ask deep questions about data, use key stakeholder insight to inform my research direction, and rigorously assess alternative methods in a systematic manner.”
Bella worked with Budget Development to present policy recommendations for the state to more effectively and efficiently leverage nonprofits in disaster recovery by conducting a state scan, and interviewing stakeholders in state agencies and nonprofits. She also created new guides on the OSBM website to aid state agency budget staff navigate state budgeting procedures.
Bella is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Out of office: "Any chance I get, I enjoy spending time outdoors and trying out new ways to be active."