Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Program in Full Swing

With its highest enrollment ever15 undergraduate students, including 7 Delaware nativesthe University of Delaware's Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Program kicked off its fifth year as a full semester experience this February.

A partnership among the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, the Department of Political Science, Institute for Global Studies and the Biden Institute, as well as City College of New York, the program is one of UD's only Washington, D.C. study experiences available.

The program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to live in the heart of Washington, D.C. for the spring semester while interning in a placement of their choice. The internship constitutes six-credit hours with another six credits provided for in-classroom experiences. These two, three-credit classes are taught by Professor Mike Donilon of UD's Biden Institute, City College of New York Professor Jonathan Cardinal and Andrew Rich, dean of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at City College of New York and CEO of the Truman Foundation.

In addition to gaining valuable work experience, students also participate in a series of informational meetings through their courses, which offer them a unique insight into the Washington D.C. scene. Past informational meeting guests who have reflected on their experiences and shared advice have included Vice President Joe Biden, professional lobbyists and national political fundraisers, the former head of the Social Security Administration, a former U.S. Secretary of State, a former CIA operative and more.

Participating Spring 2019 students have received placements with Delaware Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper, Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Pennsylvania Congresswoman Marcia Gay Scanlon, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, the Fund for Global Human Rights, ASPCA and government relations and federal grant consulting firm McAllister & Quinn.

UD Day in D.C.

The University of Delaware offered up a room full of research during its fifth "UD Day in D.C." and the Capitol Hill event drew high praise from those who attended.

About 10 people who had been interns in the Spring Semester in Washington D.C. Program founded by Prof. Ed Freel turned up and a joyful reunion unfolded with him.

It was the first "UD Day in D.C." for Freel, now retired and a senior fellow with UD's Institute for Public Administration. He said about 100 students probably have gone through the D.C. internship program, which includes living in Washington and working on Capitol Hill, with federal agencies or nonprofits. Those connections and experiences are more evidence of UD's reach and impact, he said.

"Ed Freel was one of my professors," said O'neil Pryce, who graduated in 2013 with a degree in political science and public policy. "And I worked on the campaigns of Tom Carper and Chris Coons as a volunteer, so when I heard they were speaking, I had to come and represent. Plus, this was my first time to hear the new president speak."

Read the full UDaily article.

UD Day in D.C. excerpt originally published by UDaily. UDaily excerpt written by Beth Miller. Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson.

Apply to the Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Program

Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply to the Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Program. Acceptance is based on a written application as well as an interview. For more information on the program, contact Leann Moore.  

About the Institute for Public Administration

The University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) addresses the policy, planning, and management needs of its partners through the integration of applied research, professional development and the education of tomorrow's leaders.