Three Waynesburg University students attended The Washington Center’s Inside Washington Seminar in Washington, D.C., from Jan. 3 to 11. This was the first Inside Washington Seminar attendance by Waynesburg students.
Zoe Belknap and Dr. Stratton.
“The Inside Washington Seminar is a great opportunity for students to engage in hands-on learning while networking with industry leaders in the nation's capital,” said Sarah Bell, assistant director of the Pathways Center.
Dr. Lawrence M. Stratton, professor of ethics and constitutional law and director of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership at Waynesburg University, served as a faculty leader for the seminar.
The Waynesburg students in attendance included:
- Zoe Belknap, a sophomore dual psychology and sociology major
- Micah Leith, a senior communication major
- Ethan Lown, a senior political science major
“Participating in the Inside Washington Seminar was an invaluable experience for me,” Leith said of his opportunity to take part in the seminar. “I have always had a deep interest in policy and politics, especially in Washington, D.C. Getting a chance to peek behind the scenes and see how things get done was an eye-opening experience and deepened my appreciation for the work done out of the public spotlight to keep things running smoothly. Experiences like this allow me to take what I have learned in the classroom and see how it applies in practice.”
I have always had a deep interest in policy and politics, especially in Washington, D.C. Getting a chance to peek behind the scenes and see how things get done was an eye-opening experience and deepened my appreciation for the work done out of the public spotlight to keep things running smoothly.”
Inside Washington Seminar is a week-long immersive experience held in D.C. for college students across the country. Students in attendance have an opportunity to discuss top issues within areas of policy, media, business and politics, as well as interact with various experts in the field. Through sessions and briefings held throughout the seminar, participants are able to learn more about the political process.
“In addition to our morning plenary sessions, we had the opportunity to participate in educational briefings during the afternoons,” said Leith. “These briefings took place both in The Washington Center facility and at various locations throughout the city. Through these briefings, we got to visit places like Lockheed Martin, the Capitol Building and its tertiary office buildings, and a lobbying firm with offices on Pennsylvania Avenue.”
As a result of funding provided to The Washington Center, all three Waynesburg students were able to attend the seminar at no cost. Those students will also earn one academic credit for participating in this unique experience.
“Thanks to generous funding provided to The Washington Center, our students were able to attend this seminar free of charge,” said Bell. “Because this opportunity was fully funded, students who may not have had access to the program had the chance to engage in a transformative experience.”
This offering provided an unforgettable opportunity for students to learn and grow beyond the classroom.
“I am extremely grateful for everything Dr. Stratton and Sarah Bell did to make this experience happen,” added Leith. “Getting to spend a week learning and connecting with Dr. Stratton as we made our way through the city was an experience I’ll never forget.”
