Three Political Science Students Complete Successful Internship with The Washington Center's Summer Program

Three East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania students served as interns in Washington, D.C., through The Washington Center (TWC) Program for Internships and Academic Seminars this summer. They were supervised by Dr. Kimberly S. Adams, ESU associate professor of political science and campus liaison to TWC, an educational non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides thousands of students from hundreds of colleges and universities nationally and worldwide with specialized internship opportunities in Washington D.C., and abroad.

Evan D’Aversa, a senior with a double major in political science and computer science from Reeders, Pa., was an intern at ElectionMall.com, a technology solution company that provides campaign software for local, state and internal campaigns. His internship duties included evaluating and summarizing legal documents, researching technology use and the effects of social networks on voter behavior, summarizing advisory opinions from governmental agencies and studying state and federal campaign finance regulations. D’Aversa served the internship from May 23 to August 4, 2012.

“I would have to say that I was very pleased with my experience at The Washington Center,” said D’Aversa. “It provided me with valuable skills and work experience. The opportunity for civic engagement, the coursework, and the other aspects of the program made the experience worthwhile. I definitely feel as though I have grown both personally and professionally.”

Frank Ingulli, a political science major with a concentration in pre-law studies from Hawley, Pa., was an intern at Chwat & Company, Inc., a lobbying and government relations firm. The ESU senior’s responsibilities included conducting extensive research on beer, liquor and wine enforcement laws, nursing home abuse, energy, and the implementation of live scan technology in several states. Ingulli attended several House and Senate Committee hearings and volunteered for an organization called So Others Might Eat (SOME), a community-based organization in the District of Columbia that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens. Ingulli was chosen to give a speech at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) dinner reception hosted by The Washington Center to show its appreciation for the longstanding PASSHE /TWC partnership. The internship took place from May 23 to August 4, 2012.

“After finding out more about the program, I decided to apply to The Washington Center, and am very happy I decided to take that action,” said Ingulli. “This once in a lifetime opportunity has really changed my outlook on life. I would have never thought I would have had the opportunity to live in this great nation’s capital. By deciding to intern with The Washington Center, I definitely feel more confident about what I am able to accomplish.”

Nemanja Nikolic, a senior political science major of East Stroudsburg, Pa., served as an intern with the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP), the nation’s oldest organization dedicated to the abolition of the death penalty. Nikolic’s duties included conducting extensive research on impending death penalty cases throughout the nation and writing reports on his findings. Nikolic assisted with the organization’s ground mobilization strategies and worked with state affiliates in their efforts to repeal, restrict or halt expansion of the death penalty. The internship ran from June 3 to August 11, 2012.

Nikolic said that he heard from such notables as C-SPAN Networks Executive Chairman Brian Lamb, and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Lawrence J. Korb. He added that TWC workshops were valuable.

“These workshops taught me the lessons on how to successfully compete in today’s competitive job market,” he said  “In addition, I started to value my work and well finished assignments. By being aware of my capabilities, I raised my level of self-confidence and personal belief in my own abilities.”

These ESU students were recipients of ESU/TWC tuition reduction waivers sponsored by ESU’s Office of Academic Affairs.  The Chancellor’s Office at PASSHE provided additional funding to assist students in this program. The Washington Center also provides specialized academic seminars to promote civic engagement, professional achievement, and diversity in transformational, experiential learning opportunities.

For more information about the political science degree programs at East Stroudsburg University or the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, contact Dr. Adams via email at ksadams@esu.edu.

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