Wesleyan in Washington
Ohio Wesleyan's Semester-Off-Campus Program Now Part of The Washington Center
Ohio Wesleyan University is expanding opportunities for students seeking to spend a semester in the nation's capital by partnering with the prestigious Washington Center.
The Washington Center (TWC) works with more than 400 employers in the D.C. region to provide immersive internships and academic seminars to students and young alumni from over 500 colleges and universities worldwide. The independent, nonprofit center ensures that students "will be doing real work designed to help them build a strong foundation for their careers."
'High-Impact Experience'
The new collaboration creates Wesleyan in Washington at The Washington Center, says Lisa Ho, director of OWU's Office of International and Off-Campus Programs (IOCP).
"TWC has 'boots on the ground' and can deliver all aspects of a high-impact experience," Ho said, providing "everything from housing to internship placement, preparation, career development, and academic courses. They also have a much larger community for our students to be a part of."
Founded in 1975, The Washington Center serves students from the United States and more than 25 countries, supporting a global alumni network of nearly 70,000 people.
Open to All Students
In addition to Ho, Ashley Biser and Brianna Mack, co-directors of OWU's Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs, and Franchesca Nestor, chair of the Department of Politics & Government, all collaborated to plan the reimagined Wesleyan in Washington at The Washington Center.
"Wesleyan in Washington started as a program for students interested in politics, but over the years, it has grown to include students in a wide variety of majors. Anyone interested in public affairs, business, science, the environment, history – you name it, Washington has it," said Biser, Ph.D., who also serves as an associate professor of Politics & Government and as director of the first-year seminar.
"We've had students intern at the Library of Congress, with disability rights organizations, as well as on Capitol Hill," Biser said. "It's a great opportunity to live in the nation's capital and experience its rich history and culture."
'Extremely Beneficial' Experience
Micah Nowlin '27 of Columbus, Ohio, is the first Bishop to spend a semester in the capital as part of the new Wesleyan in Washington at The Washington Center. He is interning with the Council of State Governments (CSG) as a public policy intern.
"I work with the research team, assisting with policy research, data analysis, and other projects focused on issues affecting state governments and officials," said Nowlin, a Quantitative Economics major and Philosophy minor.
"I wanted to experience living and working in D.C. and gain a better understanding of how research is applied in a real-world, professional setting," he said. "I have a strong interest in public policy research and data analytics, so being in D.C. has allowed me to see how research and data are used to inform policy and support decision-making. These are also areas I'm interested in pursuing a career in after graduation, so I saw this experience as a great way to explore those interests outside the classroom."
Nowlin said he has also appreciated all the support provided by The Washington Center.
"Along with meeting professionals through my internship, I've also met many other students who are working and studying in D.C.," he said. "I've really enjoyed being surrounded by people with different academic and professional interests and hearing about their experiences. Getting the opportunity to live and work in D.C. has been extremely beneficial in helping me build my network and gain experience working in a professional environment."
Learn more about Wesleyan in Washington at The Washington Center at owu.edu/Arneson.