Make The Connection

December 9, 2020 | By Cole Hatcher

Danielle Black ’22 is spending the semester in D.C. through the Wesleyan in Washington program.She is working with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area.(Photo by Mike Morgan)

United Nations Association

Ohio Wesleyan Senior Completes Internship in Nation’s Capital

Name: Danielle Black ’22
Hometown: Proctorville, Ohio
Majors: Politics and Government and Pre-Law
Minor: History
OWU Connection Experience: Wesleyan in Washington internship program

Black is in Washington, D.C., working as a program intern (assistant) with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA). She is working with alumnus Andrew Doll ’09, who serves as managing director of programs and membership for the UNA-NCA.

Black was connected with Doll through the OWU Career Connection Office in fall 2019, when she traveled to the nation’s capital as one of the leaders of OWU’s Model United Nations Club. Her internship is being overseen by professor Michael Esler.

Her experience is part of OWU’s Wesleyan in Washington internship program. The intensive, full-time experience matches students with internship placements that reflect their interests and professional goals. Program participants earn class credit for the off-campus experience.

Lessons Learned

“I am studying domestic politics, and I always have wanted to study in the heart of American politics. I have learned many things from this experience.

“These include everything from how to exist as an adult in a city, all the way to the in-depth history of the United Nations. I had learned most of my information about the United Nations from Dr. Sean Kay’s global issues class as well as his American foreign policy class.

“I have also learned how to set up events from having no guest list, speakers, or details to a fully-fledged event.”

My Favorite Moment

“My favorite experience was an event UNA-NCA threw. It is called the Eleanor Roosevelt Happy Hour. There was coverage of Eleanor and what she did for Human Rights across the United States and the world. We were put in Zoom breakout rooms to talk over what we had learned. I met two women, both with amazing jobs at different ends of their careers, and it was fascinating.”

Living in D.C.

“I love D.C.! There is always something to do here, and the majority of the museums are free! This brings tons of opportunities to learn and expand on their horizons.”

Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan

“I chose OWU because the minute I stepped on campus it felt like home. I thought all the faculty and staff were amazing and friendly. I also love the liberal arts aspect. I have taken classes that range from music in film to geology, all the way to my personal favorite, public policy.”

My Plans After Graduation

“I plan to either work or go to graduate school in Washington, D.C., to study public policy.”