Largest cohort off to Washington, D.C., for Summer Study Program

Twenty-two students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are participating in summer internship experiences through the Washington, D.C., Summer Study Program from May 29 through mid-August.

This is the 38th year of the Summer Study Program, designed and operated by CSB/SJU faculty and staff in the political science department. This year’s group is the largest cohort in the program’s history.

The program provides students an opportunity to live and work in the Washington, D.C., area while earning academic credit. Each student serves in a congressional office, in a government agency, in a nonprofit organization or with a public affairs group, learning and working in a community. They apply for their internships based on their interests.

MORE ABOUT CSB/SJU POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

In addition to the work experience, this summer’s program co-directors, Philip Kronebusch and Matt Lindstrom, professors of political science at CSB and SJU, conduct seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumnae/i and other professionals to enhance the learning experience. The program is coordinated each year by Sheila Hellermann, department coordinator for political science, sociology and peace studies.

There are 15 students from CSB and seven from SJU in the program this year. While most the students are political science majors, other majors are represented, including economics, environmental studies, Hispanic studies, French, history, chemistry, English and philosophy.

The students, who are all rising seniors unless otherwise noted, are:

• Grant Anderla, a SJU political science major from Appleton, Wisconsin, is a research intern in Japan Program for Stimson Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution working to solve international security threats.
• Nomin Angarag, a CSB political science major from Valley Village, California, is an executive and development associate intern at Jubilee Network, a non-governmental organization advocating for debt relief for developing nations.
• Gabrielle Baumert, a CSB English major from Lake in the Hills, Illinois, is a grassroots mobilization Intern for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.
• Rachel Benson, a CSB environmental studies major from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is interning for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
• Leela Cofell, a CSB political science major from St. Joseph, Minnesota, is interning at Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, a political action committee working on gun policy reforms and LGBTQ safety and equality.
• Libby Cronican ’17, a CSB philosophy graduate from Springfield, Nebraska, is interning at National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
• Zachary Eichten, a SJU economics and political science double-major from Rosemount, Minnesota, is a government relations regulatory and environmental intern at National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
• Olayemi Fadahunsi, a CSB political science major from Maplewood, Minnesota, is a policy and research intern at Global Witness, an international NGO working on linking natural resource exploitation, conflict, poverty, corruption and human rights abuses.
• Thomas Fiorentio-Strawn, a SJU environmental studies major from Chatsworth, California, is interning for Michael D. Baker Inc., Sustainability and Climate Change Division.
• Daniel Gillis, a SJU economics and political science double-major from Savage, Minnesota, is a policy research intern at the American Youth Policy Forum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, providing learning opportunities for policy leaders, practitioners and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state and local levels.
• Stephanie Haeg, a CSB English and history double-major from Sauk Centre, Minnesota, is a reference intern at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History - Archives Center.
• Maya Hermerding, a CSB double-major in Hispanic studies and political science from Brainerd, Minnesota, is interning for Minnesota Rep. Rick Nolan.
• Meredith Jarchow, a CSB political science major from New Richmond, Wisconsin, is a communications intern at Susan B. Anthony List, a nonprofit organization focused on the election of pro-life candidates.
• Grace Lindquist, a CSB chemistry major with a concentration in environmental chemistry from Minnetonka, Minnesota, is an international/regulatory affairs Intern at AHRI, a trade association representing heating and cooling companies.
• Mitchell Lundquist, a SJU political science major from Prior Lake, Minnesota, is a policy intern at American Forests, a nonprofit and the nation’s oldest conservation organization.
• Mapy Mejia Florez, a CSB political science major from St. Paul, Minnesota, is a national programs Intern at the League of United Latin American Citizens, an organization advancing the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs.
• Courtney Miller, a CSB political science major from Avon, Minnesota, is interning for David Turch and Associates, a government affairs organization.
• David Peterson, a SJU economics and political science double-major from Stillwater, Minnesota, is interning for the Republican Governors Association.
• Nicholas Rethemeier, a SJU political science major from Owatonna, Minnesota, is an outreach intern for Jubilee Network, a non-governmental organization advocating for debt relief for developing nations.
• Natalie Roberts, a CSB political science major from New Hope, Minnesota, is interning at Advocacy Project, a nonprofit focused on assisting marginalized communities around the world.
• Mary Catherine Steenberge, a CSB double-major in French and political science from Ballwin, Missouri, is interning at the Obama Foundation.
• Rebecca Timmons, a CSB political science major from Duluth, Minnesota, is interning for Stones Phones, a political consulting and strategy firm specializing in constituent communication.

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