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UGA’s Washington Semester Program celebrates 100-mark milestone in participant number

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

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