23 Students Visit Washington, D.C. As Part of Political Science Classwork

Posted by: admin on October 24, 2012, No Comments

From left to right: George Mitchell, Prof. Walter Oleszek of the Congressional Research Services, Efia King, Amy Caracio, Margaret Barksdale, Amalie James, Tori Springfield, Myia Woodson, Kelley Andrade, Courtney Corcoran and U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey Jr.’s Chief of Staff Jim Brown.  Second row from left to right: Tyler Day, Dr. Kimberly S. Adams, Roberto Albano, Mike Berardi, Ronald Eith, Sarah Ruane, Frank Pulgiano, Dominique Washington, Billy Hagan, Kwaku Adjei-Bohyen, Daniel Hagan. Third row from left to right: Collin Devries, Jonathan Gavilanes, Robert Hedden, and Michael Chapman. The photo was taken in the Russell Senate Building.

Daniel Hagan, a sophomore political science major from Dingmans Ferry, Pa., was among the ESU students on the Washington, D.C. field trip.

A group of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania students got a close-up look at the daily activities of federal government when they traveled to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, during a class trip. The field trip was led by Dr. Kimberly S. Adams, associate professor of political science, as part of the “Political Parties and Politics” class which introduces students to the history, functions, and effectiveness of political parties in the United States.

While in Washington, D.C., the students met with Lauren Edris, who graduated from ESU with a bachelor’s degree in political science in May 2011, and is now a staff member for U.S. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. The students visited the U.S. Capitol, a tour arranged by Senator Toomey’s office. They had lunch in the Longworth House Office Building Cafeteria, one of four office buildings used by the United States House of Representatives.

The students also heard from Jim Brown, the chief of staff for U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania. Brown discussed his job and opportunities for young people on Capitol Hill. Professor Walter Oleszek of Congressional Research Services (CRS) talked to the students about political parties and their transformation over the last few decades. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. It is a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress.

During their free time, several students went to Union Station and other explored historic D.C. sites, while a few others opted to take pictures in front of White House.

“Our trip to Capitol Hill offered a rare learning experience for students to witness up close and personal the day-to-day activities and the inner workings of government on Capitol Hill,” said Dr. Adams. “To meet with a former ESU political science major who now works on the Hill and to meet with a chief of staff for a Pennsylvania U.S. senator helps them to realize that their dream of one day working in Washington can become a reality.”

The students will be expected to write a summary of their experiences and observations on the field trip and what they have learned in the Political Parties and Politics class. The summaries will be made available to the ESU community.

The field trip was funded by an ESU Provost Departmental instructional support grant and a Student Activity Association department program grant.

Dr. Adams teaches her “Political Parties and Politics” class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-10:50 a.m. in Room 415 of Stroud Hall. For more information about ESU political science degree programs, contact Dr. Adams at ksadams@esu.edu or 570-422-3924.