CSB and SJU students participate in Washington Summer Study Program

Washington, D.C., can be extremely hot during the summer months.

But 15 students of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University hope to have a "hot time" academically in Washington for the next couple of months as part of the Washington Summer Study Program.

The program, now in its 33rd year, is operated by the political science department at CSB and SJU in conjunction with The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement at Saint John's University. It is designed to provide students an opportunity to live and work in the Washington, D.C., area while earning academic credit.

Each student applies for an internship based on their own interests (the program is open to all majors). This year's group is interning with public policy and political organizations in federal government offices, advocacy or lobbying firms and other types of public affairs organizations.

In addition to the valuable work experience, program co-directors Matt Lindstrom, professor of political science at CSB and SJU and director of the McCarthy Center, and Christi Siver, assistant professor of political science at CSB and SJU, conduct over a dozen seminars and receptions the group attends with alumnae/i and other professionals working in international and national fields. Some of this year's seminars include meetings with former members of Congress, senior lobbying executives, foreign policy experts and journalists.

CSB students serving internships include:

Caitlin Coleman, a political science major from Rogers, Minn., is interning with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Hannah Dolan, a political science and English double major from Edina, Minn., is interning with the National Capital Planning Commission.

Mary Erickson, a political science major from Rochester, Minn., is interning with the Democratic National Committee.

Yunya "Vicky" Liu, a political science major from Changsha, China, is interning with the International Law Institute.

Madolynn Morken, a political science major from Madison, Minn., is interning with David Turch and Associates.

Isabel Pennings, a peace studies major from Hayden Lake, Idaho, is interning with Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Caitlin Spence, a political science major from Anoka, Minn., is interning with the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Katie Spoden, an environmental studies and political science double major from Brooklyn Park, Minn., is interning with Worldwatch Institute.

Alivia Tison, an English and Hispanic studies double major from Des Moines, Iowa, is interning with the Latin America Working Group.

SJU students serving internships include:

Austin Eighan, a German and political science double major from Sartell, Minn., is interning with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Edward Hanlon, a political science major from Omaha, Neb., is interning with the Democratic National Committee.

Wenyu Heng, an accounting major from Nanjing, China, is interning with Jubilee USA Network.

Adam Ironside, a communication and political science double major from Prescott, Wis., is interning with the Public Affairs Council.

Kunihiro Shimoji, a political science major from Okinawa, Japan, is interning with the National Association of Japan-America Societies.

Drew Stommes, a political science major from Eden Valley, Minn., is interning with the Stimson Center's South Asia Program.