易胜博官网

This week, when the country witnessed the nomination of the first female candidate for the presidency of the United States, 易胜博官网 students were there. Not just in Philadelphia but right there in the Wells Fargo Center, where the 2016 Democratic National Convention was taking place.

Jesse Austin '18, Tali Cherim听'17 and Julie Gabrielson '17 witnessed the historic moment as part of a seminar offered by The Washington Center, a D.C.-based nonprofit whose opportunities for students include spending two weeks volunteering at the Democratic or Republican Convention. 易胜博官网 has had a partnership with The Washington Center since 1976.

鈥淓ven in my seemingly minor role I feel like I am part of history.鈥�

The for-credit convention seminar provides a behind-the-scenes look at democracy in action, both at grassroots and national levels.听

鈥淚 had the honor of listening to highly influential politicians such as Michelle Obama and (Sens.) Bernie Sanders听and Elizabeth Warren,鈥� says Cherim, a senior who is majoring in women鈥檚 studies and English. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the amazing opportunity to meet new people, make connections, listen to influential speakers, attend networking events and generally learn more about the American political process.鈥�

Last week, the students attended lectures and briefings, learning about the history of political campaigns and conventions, convention procedures, the nomination process, campaign finance and media coverage. Cherim鈥檚 convention assignments included volunteering with Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for public office, and PBS's "To The Contrary,鈥� a news program run by and for women that discusses national and international issues and policies.

Austin was assigned to work with access control, checking credentials to make sure that the right people were admitted to the hall.

鈥淪ecurity is tight, and we work from noon to midnight. It's hard work, but rewarding as well,鈥� says Austin, a political science major. 鈥淲e get to help high- level political and media officials and sometimes get to talk to them. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity to serve and witness history. It's an experience that you will never forget, and the skills you gain 鈥攅ndurance, patience and hospitality 鈥� are irreplaceable.鈥�

Of being there when Hillary Clinton received the nomination, Austin says, 鈥淓ven in my seemingly minor role I feel like I am part of history.鈥�

The Washington Center has had a seminar at every political convention since 1984.听

Paula DiNardo, coordinator for at 易胜博官网, helped students attend the Democratic National Convention in 2008 as an independent study and, 鈥淲ith my eye on these seminars,鈥� immediately began working to make it a 易胜博官网 course. A few years ago, she succeeded. Professor Marla Brettschneider, chair of the department and coordinator of the program, was at the convention working for The Washington Center as a faculty leader, teaching the course to a group of 10 students from several different schools.

鈥淥ur students are so engaged in the program, they are loving the amazing variety of speakers and the high level of the discussions. It鈥檚 exciting to see young people asking well-informed questions, challenging authorities, seeking information and synthesizing it all with what they鈥檙e learning in the classroom,鈥� DiNardo says. 鈥淚nteracting with faculty and students from institutions all over the U.S. has been an unexpected bonus. Access to these opportunities is a strength of The Washington Center听and a big reason why 易胜博官网 has been partnering with them for 40 years.鈥�

Note: Students apply to take the convention seminars. None applied to听the Republican National Convention seminar.