Go inside the world of politics and policy.
Inside Washington is a semester-long experience that provides participants with a deeper understanding of how politics and policy shape initiatives in the nation’s capital. Through in-person sessions in Washington, D.C., students will develop an understanding of the relationships between elected officials, government leaders, political parties, lobbyists, advocacy groups, and others tasked with getting things done in Washington. This semester's program will specifically focus on the 2024 presidential and Congressional elections. Participants in this program will be introduced to key players within this process, including Gettysburg alumni.
Students can expect:
- Biweekly sessions in Washington, D.C., with Gettysburg alumni who are Washington insiders.
- Immersive trips to Washington, D.C., that will expose students to government institutions, and the breadth of public service careers in politics, advocacy, lobbying, and other fields.
- A project that will provide each student the opportunity to develop an understanding of the election process by researching and tracking a specific candidate's campaign.
- An op-ed that will allow students to analyze policy developments and practice writing for a public audience through Ike's Anvil, the Eisenhower Institute’s student policy blog.
- Alumni mentorship opportunities that will help participants learn more about careers and think through how their academic work can translate to professional environments in politics, advocacy, lobbying, diplomacy, and other public service fields.
This program will highlight skills and experiences that prepare students for involvement in other Eisenhower Institute programs, and possible careers in Washington including civic engagement, networking, and professional writing.
Inside Washington is led by a bipartisan team of Gettysburg College alumni: Ryan Woodward ’12, the Chief of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and Tony McComiskey '14, the Director of Scheduling for Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
Schedule
Four regular sessions will take place on Friday afternoons in Washington, D.C. There are two additional sessions in Washington - a full-day during fall break and an evening networking event. Transportation will be provided and travel time is included in the schedule below. This list is tentative and dates may be updated; please consider your availability on Friday afternoons when deciding to apply.
Session 1 in D.C.:
- Friday, September 13th, 1pm-8pm
Session 2 in D.C.:
- Friday, September 27th, 1pm-8pm
Session 3, D.C. Daytrip over Fall Break:
- Monday, October 14th, 7am-8pm
Session 4 in DC:
- Tuesday, November 5th, 4pm-11pm
Session 5, Alumni Networking Event in D.C.
- Wednesday, November 20th, 3pm-10pm
Session 6 in D.C.:
- Friday, December 6th, 1pm-8pm
Students are expected to attend all sessions. It is each students' responsibility to ensure that class schedules do not conflict, or to make arrangements with professors to make up work.