The Washington Program in National Issues (WPNI) was established in 1973 through the initiative of Washington-based alumni who sought to provide Kent State University undergraduates with a unique living and learning experience in the nation’s capital. Open to junior and senior students from all academic disciplines, the full 15-week spring semester program is administered through the Department of Political Science. The Kent State University Alumni Association is enthusiastically involved in supporting this program.

The purposes of the program are to accomplish the following:

• Facilitate learning about the U.S. political system and its policy issues
• Develop an understanding of the relationship between public issues and structure of government
• Encourage individual initiative and internship work to provide experience in individual research

Students serve internships in places such as Capitol Hill, in a governmental agency or with an interest group and also attend seminars. Such a program requires a semester-long residence in the Washington, D.C., area. Washington, D.C., alumni continue to support the program by introducing students to the culture and serving as consultants and mentors.

For additional information, visit the Washington Program website.