Lander University's perfect record for placing students in the Washington Internship Program remains intact.
Seniors Kim Modica, of Waterloo, and Megan Hughes, of Anderson, will spend the fall 2015 semester working, studying and living in the nation's capital. Since 2010, all 13 Lander students who applied have been accepted into the program, which is sponsored by the University of South Carolina Honors College.
Modica, a political science major, is a member of Lander's Honors College whose director, Dr. Lillian Craton, said honors college students are encouraged to take on big challenges. High-level internships, study abroad and individual research are part of the Honors College "break away" requirement beyond the traditional classroom experience. Craton said they are amazing opportunities to grow and learn, adding, "They are the things that set students apart from other recent college graduates when it's time to look for a job or apply for graduate study."
Modica is president of Lander's chapter of the S.C. Student Legislature and was elected the statewide organization's Speaker of the House last fall. She spent a semester at the University of Winchester as part of Lander's Study Abroad program and has also worked as an intern in the office of Greenwood's assistant city manager in the areas of economic development and local business support.
She said the Washington internship will give her hands-on experience in the field of political science. She hopes to be given an assignment with a federal office that deals with foreign policy or international security and intelligence to help prepare her for a career in international politics. She added, "I'm honored to be chosen for this very prestigious program."
Hughes is Lander's first sociology major accepted into the program. Criminal justice is the focus of her studies and she looks forward to a possible internship that would give her experience in law enforcement or politics. Hughes is the first in her family to go to college and is the recipient of a $20,000 scholarship from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, which also gives her access to unique mentoring opportunities.
Hughes said she is nervous, but excited about the Washington internship, and added, "I will make the most of my experience." In addition to her course work and internship duties, Hughes expects to use her semester in the nation's capital to explore museums and historical sites and interact with people, including other interns.
To be considered for a Washington semester internship, students must submit a resume, a personal statement and references from faculty and others, and be interviewed by the Honors College selection committee. Interns can be assigned to work in offices on Capitol Hill or for government agencies. They also attend classes for which they earn course credits.