The Semester in D.C. initiative, long a hallmark of Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication, has broadened its scope. For the first time, students pursuing a degree in political science within the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible to secure professional placements in the nation’s capital.
Participants split across the spring and summer terms, embedding themselves in a mix of legislative offices, advocacy groups, and federal agencies. The expansion reflects a deliberate partnership between the political science department and the program’s co-directors, Tim Goheen and Hebah Abdalla Lehmann, who aim to blend classroom theory with on-the-ground policy work.
Expanding the Semester in D.C. to Political Science Majors
Matthew L. Layton, associate professor and chair of the political science department, emphasized the strategic value of the move. “The Semester in D.C. program offers a high-quality career-building experience by bringing together professionalization, networking opportunities with alumni, applied experience, and classroom learning,” Layton said. He added that the capital “has so much to offer our students and I believe this program will prove transformative for all who participate.”
The program now opens slots for students from three academic units – the Scripps College of Communication, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Honors Tutorial College – across fall, spring, and summer semesters. Each intern receives a membership to the National Press Club, access to briefings, and mentorship from Ohio alumni already embedded in Washington’s professional landscape.
Student Internships: From the Senate Office to Veterans Affairs
During the spring term, Thomas Kolbe secured a placement in the office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. In that role, Kolbe assisted with constituent casework, drafted briefing memos, and observed a congressional hearing, gaining a front-row view of legislative operations. Simultaneously, Katie Raines joined the Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop as an advocacy and community-engagement intern, where she researched incarceration-related legislation and connected with policy-making bodies.
Summer interns broadened the scope further. Hunter Person spent July at the Department of Veterans Affairs, working within the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs on both the Corporate and Congressional Liaison teams. He described his duties as “helping with constituent casework, drafting briefing materials, attending a Congressional hearing, and visiting sites such as Quantico Cemetery.” Person also networked with fellow interns stationed at the U.S. House of Representatives and met alumni serving as senior advisors at the VA, Amazon, Reuters, the SEC, RTX, and various think tanks.
Sydney Patterson split her summer between the Student Press Law Center and the public-policy division of Generations United. Her experience reinforced the program’s emphasis on applied policy research and highlighted the diversity of organizations that welcome Ohio students in Washington.
Hands-On Advocacy, Networking and Mentorship
Katie Raines described her internship as “deeply meaningful” and “hands-on.” Working with Free Minds, she met with staff, conducted legislative research, reached out to partner organizations, and attended policy briefings for congressional offices. The experience, she said, clarified her career direction and solidified her sense of purpose.
One of the most lauded features of the program is the built-in networking engine. Every intern receives a National Press Club membership, granting access to classes, events, and a vibrant community of journalists and policymakers. Raines highlighted the mentorship framework: “Ohio students are paired with alumni mentors, as well as with former interns, creating a supportive network that extends well beyond the internship itself.”
Participants also benefit from direct contact with alumni who have pursued careers at the Department of Veterans Affairs, major corporations, and influential NGOs. These connections often translate into informational interviews, job leads, and a deeper understanding of how government functions beyond the television narrative.
The program’s organizers anticipate that the expanded model will continue to attract students eager to merge academic study with real-world policy work.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the Semester in D.C. website for application details, eligibility criteria, and upcoming deadlines. By bridging campus learning with the pulse of national governance, Ohio University aims to cultivate the next generation of informed, engaged public-affairs professionals.
