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   | View Full Article

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.   | View Full Article

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   | View Full Article

Three TWC students had a chance to sit down with their hometown Member of Congress, Rep. Elizabeth H. Esty, to learn more about how the freshman Democrat is representing her home district - the 5th district of Connecticut. Students Albert Phalen, Meghan Porcelli and Leah Shafer met Rep. Esty in her Cannon House Office Building suite and engaged the congresswoman about policy issues ranging from topics such as:   | View Full Article

Impact of Faculty Leaders   | View Full Article

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:   | View Full Article