May 8, 2008

Students participate in Washington Summer Study Program 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thirteen students from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, and Saint John’s University, Collegeville, are participating in the Washington Summer Study Program through the end of July.

The program, operated by the political science department in conjunction with The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement at CSB-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 Matt Lindstrom, associate professor of political science at CSB-SJU, and Claire Haeg, assistant professor of political science at CSB-SJU, conduct weekly seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumnae/i and other professionals to enhance the learning experience. Among the alumnae/i who have spoken to the students are David Rehr, ’81, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters; and Peg McGlinch, ’95, former chief of staff for Rep. Tim Walz (D, Minn.).

Students serving internships from CSB include:

  • Bibi Abdalla, a junior political science major from St. Paul, Minn., is interning at the office of Representative Keith Ellison (D, Minn.);
  • Laura Johnson, a junior political science major from Minnetonka, Minn., is interning at the offices of David Turch and Associates, a government relations firm which provides strategic planning, legislative goal setting, and political analysis;
  • Kristina Nesse, a junior political science and economics double major from Albert Lea, Minn., is interning at the office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D, Minn.);
  • Jessica Vining, a senior political science and philosophy double major from Troutdale, Oregon, is interning at the offices of Dutko Worldwide, a government affairs strategy firm.
Students serving internships from SJU include:
  • Erik R. Anderson, a junior political science major from Eden Prairie, Minn., is interning at the office of Representative Keith Ellison (D, Minn.);
  • Colin Blair, a sophomore political science and prelaw major from Anchorage, Alaska, is interning at the offices of the Americans for Tax Reform;
  • Barry Griffin, a junior political science major from Nassau, Bahamas, is interning at the offices of Caribbean-Central American Action, an organization working to promote economic development in the Caribbean and Central America;
  • Brad Hagemeier, a senior political science and economics double major from Eden Valley, Minn., is interning with the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives;
  • Jacob Haider, a junior political science and history double major from Forest Lake, Minn, is interning at the office of Senator Norm Coleman (R, Minn.);
  • Daniel Haller, a junior political science and peace studies double major from Albertville, Minn., is interning at the D.C. Public Defender’s office;
  • Jeffrey Schnobrich, a junior political science major from New Ulm, Minn, is interning at the Transportation Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives;
  • Boris Sekulic, a junior political science major from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is interning at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Sean Suter, a sophomore political science major from Rochester, Minn, is interning at the office of Senator Barak Obama (D, Ill)
For more information on the Washington Summer Study Program, click here.