CSB and SJU students participate in Washington Summer Study Program

Eighteen students from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, and Saint John's University, Collegeville, are participating in summer internship experiences through the Washington Summer Study Program from May 28 through mid-August.

The program, operated by the political science department at CSB and SJU, is designed to provide students an opportunity to live and work in the Washington, D.C., area while earning academic credit. Each student serves in a congressional office, on a committee staff, 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.

In addition to the work experience, program co-directors Christi Siver, assistant professor of political science at CSB and SJU, and Claire Haeg, associate professor of political science at CSB and SJU, conduct seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumnae/i and other professionals to enhance the learning experience. This summer, the directors will also come to Washington and conduct seminars.

Students serving internships from CSB include:     

• Kathleen Burns, a political science and history major from Woodbury, Minn., who will be interning at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in its office of education and public programs.
• Bridget Cummings, a political science major from Chaska, Minn., who will be interning at the Department of Justice in the legislative affairs division.
• Lauren Currie, a political science major from Reno, Nev., who will be interning at the office of Congressman Mark Amodei (R-Nev.).
• Melissa DeOrio, a political science major from Verona, Wis., who will be interning at SETA Foundation, which studies national, regional and international issues concerning Turkey and U.S.-Turkey relations.
• Carol Giron, a political science major from Carson, Calif., who will be interning at the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
• Kinsey Norton, a French and Hispanic Studies major from Woodbury, Minn., who will be interning at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, a not-for-profit, independent organization that works on inter-American research and information.
• Katherine Paul, a political science major from Arden Hills, Minn., who will be interning at the office of Congressman John Kline (R-Minn.).
• Stephanie Pinkalla, a political science major from Eagan, Minn., who will be interning at the Center for American Progress.
• Shelby Stang, a political science major from Eden Valley, Minn., who will be interning at Booz Allen Hamilton.
• Kathrine Tillman, a political science and German double-major from Shakopee, Minn., who will be interning at the Women's Foreign Policy Group, an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that promotes women's engagement and leadership in international affairs.
• Kelly Winsor, a political science and peace studies major from St. Michael, Minn., who will be interning at Dalit Freedom Network non-government organization that works for human rights for the Dalit people in India.

Students serving internships from SJU include:

• Kevin Battis, an economics major from Blaine, Minn., who will be interning at the Public Affairs Council, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals.
• John Hite, a political science major from Medina, Minn., who will be interning at the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
• Andrew Hovel, an economics major from McFarland, Wis., who will be interning at the Federal Communications Commission.
• John Malone, a political science major from Wayzata, Minn., who will be interning at AHRI, a trade association, in its government affairs division.
• Kirubel Negash, a political science and peace studies major from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who will be interning at AHRI in its International Affairs Division.
• John Reagan, a political science major from Mendota Heights, Minn., who will be interning at the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services.
• Ryan Zajic, a political science major from McClelland, Iowa, who will be interning at David Turch and Associates, a government affairs organization that focuses on transportation policy.