Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Washington Semester Program celebrates a milestone this spring, passing the 100 mark in number of participants since the program began in spring 2008. Nineteen students are currently gaining experience in the nation’s capital as interns for business, government and public policy leaders, offices and organizations.
“The program has grown a great deal in the last three years,” said Don De Maria, director of the Washington Semester Program.”I am thrilled that we have surpassed 100 students, and have over 20 program alumni already living and working in D.C.”
The Washington Semester Program, offered every fall and spring, was launched under the auspices of the Office of the Vice President for Instruction. The comprehensive program features a mixture of traditional instruction, internship experience and cultural and academic enrichment activities. Eligible participants include UGA undergraduates and transient students from other University System of Georgia institutions.
Students complete at least 12 credit hours of coursework that include a foreign policy course and a seminar on life, work and culture in Washington. The other credit hours can be used for internship, directed study and/or research courses through the student’s academic department.
“In a short time, this program already plays a crucial role in exposing some of our best students to career opportunities in Washington,” said Laura Jolly, vice president for instruction.”It is very encouraging to have so many of the program alumni working in both the public and private sector in the nation’s capital.”
Howard Wiarda, Dean Rusk Professor of International Relations, is teaching the foreign policy course this semester, focusing on American foreign policy, one he previously taught in fall 2009.His most recent work on the subject includes a book entitled, Divided America on the World Stage: Broken Government and Foreign Policy, with a companion volume coming out soon.
“These are terrific students and involved in public policy,” said Wiarda. “So it’s great fun to work with and teach them.”
An additional component to the program is the opportunity to network with alumni of the Washington Semester Program and members of D.C. Dawgs, the Washington D. C. chapter of the UGA Alumni Association, who serve as mentors to the students and discuss their experiences living and working in D.C. The Washington Semester Program also collaborates with the D.C. Dawgs to host events involving students and alumni.
The priority deadline for the fall 2011 applications for the Washington Semester Program is March 1. First consideration will be given to students who apply by the priority deadline with applications being accepted after March 1 until all program spaces are full.
For more information on UGA’s Washington Semester Program, see http://www.uga.edu/dcsemester.
The spring 2011 participants are:
From the University of Georgia
Name / Hometown / Major(s) / Internship placement
Gregory Boike / Snellville / political science, geography / Office of Rep. John Lewis
Mary Callahan / Alpharetta / broadcast news / APCO Worldwide
Emily Clarke / Atlanta / political science / Office of Sen. Saxby Chambliss
Jessica Craddock / Fayetteville / international affairs / Office of Rep. Lynn Westmoreland
Caroline Daniel / Elberton / broadcast news / Office of Rep. Jack Kingston
Caulder Harvill-Childs / Marietta / political science / General Electric
Erich Hein / Marietta / political science / Office of Sen. Johnny Isakson
Lauren Hogan / Waynesboro / dietetics, consumer foods / USDA Center for Nutrition Policy
and Promotion
Eric Jones Jr. / Hinesville / broadcast news, political science / The White House
Bethany Lange / Atlanta / international affairs, German / Office of Sen. Johnny Isakson
Rebecca Lowe / New Port Richey, Fla. / political science, sociology / Office of Sen. Bill Nelson
Sophie Oreck / New Orleans, La. / economics / American Enterprise Institute
William Perry / Bogart / international affairs / McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP
Shayna Pollock / Atlanta / political science, environmental economics, management / CEOs for Cities
Samuel Reinhardt / Tifton / banking and finance, journalism (newspapers) / Voice of America – TV to Africa
Jessica Seagraves / Marietta / political science, public relations / Office of Rep. John Barrow
Kimberly Steele / Stone Mountain / political science / Office of Rep. Sanford Bishop
Loree Anne Thompson / Gainesville / broadcast news / Office of Rep. Jack Kingston
From the Georgia Institute of Technology
Haley Gillett / Atlanta / public policy / American Planning Association