University News

WIU in DC Gains its First Intern

September 15, 2014

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University's WIU in D.C. program has its first intern spending his fall semester immersing himself in the city's political culture.

Mathew Marshall, a junior political science major from Monticello, IL, is spending the next several months as an intern in Congressman Rodney Davis' Washington, D.C. office.

WIU political science Professor Janna Deitz recently worked to revamp the WIU in D.C. program. The resulting program provides opportunities to students in any academic area to work in congressional offices, federal government agencies, political organizations or professional associations. She traveled to Washington, DC in May to advertise the program to Illinois' Congressional offices.

From 2011-12 Deitz served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

"The opportunity to see Congress at work up close during my fellowship was invaluable to my teaching and research," Deitz said. "Because I learned so much, I wanted to make an internship opportunity available for WIU students as well. Many students seek D.C. internships, especially Congressional internships during the summer. Yet offices also need interns during the academic year; a semester-length internship will help make the most out of that professional experience for students."

Marshall said his experience in the nation's capital will be diverse, ranging from answering telephones and writing briefing memos to tours for constituents or giving assistance on office projects. Marshall's academic focus, through political science, is international relations.

"I hope to learn the ins and outs of how a Congressional office actually works, as well as the details that go into creating law," he said. "I am very excited about this opportunity, not only for personal experience but also to build a rapport between Washington and Western Illinois University through this program."

For more information about the WIU Department of Political Sciences, visit wiu.edu/cas/Political_Science/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing