Before I arrived in Washington, D.C., I was entirely confident that the experience would be positive. But I never anticipated the lasting impression those 10 days would leave on my Harvard classmates and I. To be sure, the seminar motivated some to seriously consider a run for office, while it also had quite the opposite effect on others.  For me it served to reaffirm that I am indeed on the correct path towards fulfilling my academic and career aspirations.

Reaffirming My Chosen Career Path

I always had a penchant for politics, but I wasn’t always interested in getting directly involved. Friendly debates, engaging with the media, and showing up on Election Day were enough.  My undergraduate courses were spread pretty evenly between English literature, American studies, and architecture.  People and their environment were what interested me.

My Road to the DNC and Inauguration

Why Choose The Washington Center?

As a Washington Center faculty leader and an associate professor of political science, I am committed to exposing my students to experiential learning opportunities in government so that they can gain a more in-depth understanding of the political process. I believe that it is essential that students are exposed to politics and participate in experiential programs, as it adds to their knowledge of the subject matter and allows for meaningful dialogue in class discussions.

Impact of Faculty Leaders

During TWC's Inauguration Academic Seminar, faculty leaders play a large part in guiding and mentoring groups of students from all over the country during their experience in Washington, D.C. Ashley Pinney, faculty leader of Elon University's international fellows, reflects on her experience:

For over 400 students from 45 universities across the country and world, being in Washington, D.C. for the 57th Presidential Inauguration was a historic and exciting opportunity. These students, who arrived early to D.C., participated in a 10-day academic seminar running from January 12-22nd. Students kicked off the program with a tour of the city, where they had the opportunity to see monuments, museums and learn about the city’s rich history. Starting off the week with a historic tour allowed students to get acquainted with the nation's capital.

Students from Francis Marion University met with Congressman Tom Rice of South Carolina. After his staff treated the group to pitchers of southern sweet tea, Inauguration academic seminar attendees met the Congressman outside the floor of the House, where he shared career advice and his past professional experience leading up to his current position serving in Congress.