Office of Student Success | Colin Powell School
Office of Student Success | Colin Powell School
The Colin Powell School’s Semester in Washington, D.C. Program offers students an outstanding opportunity to live, work, and study in the nation’s capital. Students spend the spring semester interning at a government agency or nonprofit organization while completing 12 credits, including two special courses designed just for them and taught in D.C. The program also provides a series of guest lectures, cultural activities, and networking events.
This program is a partnership between the Colin Powell School and the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration. Participants from both universities take required classes together.
Application Deadline is September 16, 2024.
Fellows will live, work, and study in Washington D.C. during the Spring 2025 semester.
The program pays for shared housing in Capitol Hill.
They will also be required to complete an internship (at least 28 hours/week) in public service. Students will look for their own internships with strong support from program advisors. Those who get unpaid internships will receive a $3,500 stipend.
Students will complete two mandatory political science courses taught by Washington, D.C. practitioners and professors.
Two optional online courses are also offered.
Fellows will also attend guest lectures, events, and other activities organized by the program.
PSC 31508 (3 Credits) Power, Inequality, and Social Policy
This course examines the development of the American welfare state and current conflicts and debates about its performance and future. Students will work on a brief about some element of social policy currently under debate in Washington, D.C.
PSC 33000 (3 Credits) Politics and Washington, D.C.
This course examines primary Washington D.C. governmental, political, and press entities and their relationships. The class will operate through lectures, work experience, and seminars with Washington D.C. practitioners. Students will learn how the major governmental, political, and media organizations in Washington function, the roles they play, and the impact they have on public policy processes.
SSC 31117 (3 Credits) Internship Seminar
This online seminar runs parallel to your internship and looks into management in public service, leadership styles, and organizational dynamics. Completion of your internship is mandatory, but registering for credits is optional.
PSC 31005 (3 Credits) Working and Learning in Washington, D.C.
This course examines the government, politics, and the press—and their relationships—through lectures and field trips. Students will attend a series of lectures; they will be exposed to guests who are leaders in each sector; and they will participate in a series of site visits at agencies and offices around Washington, D.C.
Applicants for the 2025 Spring Semester fellowship:
Please upload responses to the following questions through the application form. Write your name on all application materials.
Personal Statement: Tell us about your scholarly interests and experiences in college. What factors shaped your interests? What are your career goals, and how are they related to public service? Upload an essay that is between 150 and 250 words.
Essay: Describe your interest in policy making, international affairs, or American politics. Why do you want an internship in Washington DC? Upload an essay that is between 500 and 750 words.
Recommendation Letter: You must provide one recommendation letter from a professor or supervisor. The professor does not have to teach at CCNY but should have instructed you in a college-level class. Advise your recommender to upload their letter using this form by (date pending).
Alanis is a junior at the Colin Powell School with a dual major in political science and international studies concentrating on international relations. She is minoring in Asian studies, public policy, journalism, and management and administration. Through her study abroad experiences in South Korea and the Netherlands, she has gained both perspective and knowledge which will aid in her ultimate goal of working for equitable social change in the Foreign Service. Her primary focus is East Asia. As a proud Y-Scholar and YMCA Alumni Executive Board Member, she addresses the lack of guidance, awareness and resources available to youth after high school by collaboratively creating opportunities for academic success and professional skills. She is a first-generation college student from the island of Trinidad and Tobago.
Alanis is interning for the Washington D.C. office of Senator Chuck Schumer.
Izel is a junior at CCNY majoring in Political Science with a minor in Anthropology. She is a first-generation Mexican-American college student, born and raised in New York City. Izel chose CCNY because of its closeness to home and its rigorous academic programs, especially those that focus on leadership, social justice, as well as global and domestic issues. Izel is interested in public service and in the advocacy of community members, and hopes to one day do influential governmental work, or be the founder of a youth development program. Aside from their studies, Izel enjoys reading, making beaded jewelry, and listening to podcasts!
Izel is interning for the Washington D.C. office of Representative Delia Ramirez.
Joonyoung is a junior at The City College of New York majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. As a first-generation immigrant from Seoul, South Korea, he is enthusiastic about local development and economics and wants to make an impact on the immigrant communities in New York City. He applied for the Semester in DC program in order to obtain experience in dealing with practical agendas at the core of U.S. politics. He hopes to use this opportunity to further his skills and knowledge for his academic and professional career. Joonyoung hopes to attend law school upon graduation.
Joonyoung is interning for the nonprofit organization National Disability Rights Network.
Karina is an International Studies major in her junior year of college. She was born in the Dominican Republic and was raised in Brooklyn, mostly by a single mother with her older and younger sister. Being the second daughter to go to college meant she had to make decisions that would benefit the whole family in the long run, leading her to CCNY, which turned out to be a great choice. The segue into becoming a student at the Colin Powell School was a quick one since she has a passion for international relations and policy. In the future, she hopes to become a US diplomat working on international policy that can one day create a safer environment for Latin American immigrants and mitigate climate change.
Karina is interning for the Washington D.C. office of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Pamela is a junior at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at City College. She is majoring in Political Science, a women’s soccer student athlete for The City College of New York, and a first generation Mexican American aspiring to attend law school. Pamela is attending college because she intends on developing a network that will open opportunities in the workforce, and that will prepare her for law school upon graduation.
Pamela is interning for the Washington D.C. office of Representative Nydia Velazquez.
Ramatoulaye is an International Studies major and an Anthropology minor. She is from Senegal, grew up there, and is fluent in French. She likes to travel, have fun with her friends, and spend time with her loved ones. Ramatoulaye was drawn to the Semester in DC program because she wants to broaden her experience in international affairs and American politics. She intends to network, make connections, and gain invaluable knowledge working alongside experienced professionals.
Ramatoulaye is interning for the Washington D.C. office of Senator Chuck Schumer.
Senthian immigrated to the US at the age of five and has become the second in her family to be attend the Collin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at The City College of New York. She is currently majoring in Political Science and minoring in International and Community Change Studies. Her passion is to use her communication, learning/adaptability, organization, and teamwork skills to impact homelessness, immigration, and social justice. Senthian was an avid martial art participant when she was younger.
Senthian is interning for the nonprofit organization Claim Your Potential.
Tasnoba Rahman is a senior studying psychology with a minor in biology. She is a first-generation Bengali Muslim American immigrant. CCNY and the Collin Powell School have given her opportunities to explore her career field and have helped her develop professionally and academically with no student debt. As an aspiring social worker and, hopefully, a physician, she intends to provide healing and justice for immigrants and other marginalized communities through advocacy and service as a healthcare professional. Tasnoba intends to focus on mental health care and eradicate the stigma or taboo discussions about it through the South Asian community and many other communities as well. In her free time, she likes to explore new hobbies, fence, travel, go on roadtrips, spend time with her family, dance around the house, and enjoy a good laugh with her mom. She also enjoys research and reading journal articles about health.
Tasnoba is interning for the nonprofit organization National Disability Rights Network.
Yeric is a senior at City College pursuing a dual degree in Financial Economics and International Relations. He naturally found a home at the Colin Powell School because of its strong academic and professional development programs. He participated in the Climate Policy Fellowship Program, which enabled him to intern at The Rhodium Group as a research assistant working on a clean energy policy research project. Long term, he is interested in working in policy research and data analytics. He plans to bring this curiosity to D.C. where he hopes to work with an international, geopolitical organization. Yeric comes from an immigrant Mexican family and is very proud of his heritage and culture. His current passions include weightlifting, gardening, and drinking dangerous amounts of coffee.
Yeric is interning for the research institute Rhodium Group.
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