The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, a program that provides internship programs and academic seminars to students from across the country and around the world, has named ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ its 2001 College of the Year. The award recognizes many years of outstanding work by ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ faculty members to engage students in Washington Center activities that enhance their civic education.
Washington Center senior vice president Eugene J. Alpert praised ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s experiential education programs and commitment to civic education, especially during the 2000 presidential campaign.
“From the Teaching Fellows and other ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ January seminar participants to the Washington interns, to the participants at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, there is significant indication that through (ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s) efforts, the lives of many students have been changed,” Alpert said. “They are more likely to understand and to be involved in civic pursuits and to promote civic literacy. Taken in total, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ stands out as an institution that is an exemplary leader in civic education.”
The Washington Center, which was founded in 1975, offers a comprehensive, participatory learning experience in Washington, D.C. Students have the opportunity to explore various career paths while sampling the intellectual and cultural diversity of our nation’s capital. The Washington Center is affiliated with more than 800 colleges and universities nationwide and works with 2,000-3,000 internships placements in Washington representing major professional fields in the private, public and nonprofit sector. More than 26,000 students have participated in the program.
Pam Brumbaugh, director of experiential education, has been ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s liaison with the Washington Center for 15 years, coordinating the internship and academic seminar programs. Gerald Dillashaw, dean of the School of Education, has coordinated academic seminars at the center for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s North Carolina Teaching Fellows. Both Brumbaugh and Dillashaw are members of the Center’s advisory board.
For many years, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ political science faculty members Chalmers Brumbaugh and Bob Anderson have led student groups and served on the faculty of the Washington Center. Brumbaugh and Sharon Spray, assistant professor of political science, led groups of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students who participated in the 2000 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
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