Study in D.C.
Immersed, hands-on learning is integral to Wake Forest’s holistic approach to education.
To facilitate real-world engagement, the University has forged relationships with numerous agencies, organizations and individuals in the nation’s capital, many in close proximity to the Wake Washington Center. Through opportunities like internships, shadowing and mentorship, Wake Washington students experience real-time learning unique to on-the-job immersion.
To tie experiential learning with classroom instruction, students in the internship and study program also conduct independent research, making meaningful connections and providing cohesion to their inside- and outside-the-classroom experiences. Students intern Monday-Thursday full time and take classes in the evenings. Fridays are reserved for students to hear from alumni and parent speakers, special tours of museums, the Capitol, the Pentagon, etc., as well as networking with alumni, parents in their field of interest. Watch this video to hear what University leaders and D.C. area alumni have to say about Wake Washington.
Past Internship Providers
- American Enterprise Institute
- American Foreign Policy Council
- APCO Worldwide
- Center for Strategic & International Studies
- Cornerstone Government Affairs
- Hudson Institute
- US Asia Institute
- US Department of Defense
- US Department of Education
- US Department of State
- See Full List
Meet the Fall 2023 Students

Hometown: Westport, CT
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Global Trade & Commerce Studies; Art History
Internship: US Department of Defense, Legislative Affairs
Favorite place on campus: Reynolda patio
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Sarah Dahill-Brown (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: I love to go on walks, listen to music, ski, and learn about current events
Campus involvement: Deacs Decide, College Democrats, Alpha Delta Pi
Career/industry interests: Foreign policy, government relations, politics
If I had a superpower it would be: Mindreading
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I am most looking forward to exploring DC and learning about defense legislation through my internship!

Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minor: Schools, Education, & Society
Internship: US Department of Defense, Legislative Affairs
Favorite place on campus: Subway
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. James Morone (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Golf, workout, read
Campus involvement: Mock Trial, SBAC, Student Government (formerly), Law Fraternity
Career/industry interests: Courtroom lawyer
If I had a superpower it would be: Superspeed
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Learning more about the city of DC

Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
Majors: Politics & International Affairs; Classical Studies
Minor: Communications
Internship: Sen. Thom Tillis (NC)
Studied abroad?: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite place on campus: ZSR Library
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Michael Sloan (Classics)
Favorite ways to spend free time: With friends out to dinner
Campus involvement: Alpha Kappa Psi, Chi Omega, Sexual Health Ambassador Group, Songbirds
Career/industry interests: Politics, lobbying, political consulting
If I had a superpower it would be: Telepathy
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: City living!

Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
Major: Health & Exercise Science
Minor: Bioethics, Humanities, & Medicine
Internship: The Palladium Group
Favorite place on campus: The Scholars’ Office
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Nate French (Communication)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, learning new things, and staying active
Campus involvement: Muslim Student Association, F-Gen Peer Ambassador for the OPCD, First in the Forest
Career/industry interests: Public health, international development
If I had a superpower it would be: Invisibility
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Exploring all that DC has to offer in the fall and successfully completing this semester, as I hear it is quite challenging balancing work and school.

Hometown: Dayton, OH
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minor: Sociology
Internship: US Department of Education, Legislation & Congressional Affairs
Favorite place on campus: Green Room in Reynolda Hall
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Sarah Lischer (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: I love to go on walks, try new restaurants, and spend time with my family and friends.
Campus involvement: Young Life, RUF, Kappa Delta
Career/industry interests: Public policy and government relations
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I am looking forward to exploring DC and learning a lot from my internships and classes!

Hometown: Dummerston, VT
Major: Sociology
Minors: Education; Politics & International Affairs
Internship: US Department of Justice, Community Relations
Studied abroad?: Salamanca, Spain
Favorite place on campus: The quad or Reynolda Trails
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Tess Wise (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, hiking, hanging out with friends, workout classes
Campus involvement: Advocating Reform for Correctional Clients, Woof Forest, Wake n Shake, Project Pumpkin, Delta Delta Delta
Career/industry interests: Education field, criminal justice reform, juvenile justice system reform
If I had a superpower it would be: To speak any language
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Meeting new people and completing meaningful work at my internship!

Hometown: Sandwich, IL
Major: Applied Mathematics
Minor: Politics & International Affairs
Internship: The Carmen Group
Studied abroad?: Tours, France
Favorite place on campus: Farrell Hall atrium
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Justin Allman (Mathematics)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Find ways to be active and spend time outside
Campus involvement: Alpha Kappa Psi
Career/industry interests: Political consulting and analytics
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Exploring the city

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Internship: US Department of Commerce, Communications & Outreach, Select USA
Favorite place on campus: The quad courtyards
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Katy Harriger (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, going on walks, spending time with friends
Campus involvement: Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Alpha Delta, working for Campus Rec
Career/industry interests: Law, public policy
If I had a superpower it would be: Shapeshifting
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Exploring museums and new restaurants in DC

Hometown: Katy, TX
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: African Studies; Communication
Internship: APCO Worldwide
Studied abroad?: Barcelona, Spain
Favorite place on campus: Campus Grounds
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Tess Wise (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Yoga, going to the gym, watching my shows, talking to my family
Campus involvement: Phi Alpha Delta, formerly Kappa Beta Gamma
Career/industry interests: Nonprofits
If I had a superpower it would be: Invisibility
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Exploring DC

Hometown: Rich Square, NC
Majors: English; History
Minor: Sociology
Internship: Lawyers Without Borders
Studied abroad?: London
Favorite place on campus: The quad
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Jeff Solomon (English)
Favorite ways to spend free time: I love to read, spend time outdoors, and play sports – especially basketball and tennis/pickle ball
Campus involvement: Club sailing, Dean’s Student Advisory Panel, Phi Alpha Delta, Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Delta Pi
Career/industry interests: Law, specifically public interest/non-profit
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I am really excited to live in DC and explore the city!

Hometown: West Chester, PA
Majors: Politics & International Affairs; Philosophy
Internship: BGR Group
Favorite place on campus: Camino Bakery
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Adam Kadlac (Philosophy)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Peloton workouts, watching bad reality TV, talking with my siblings
Campus involvement: Student Advising, Pre-Law Council, Delta Zeta
Career/industry interests: Criminal prosecutor, lobbyist, policy advisor
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Expanding my professional knowledge and network while making new friends to explore DC with me

Hometown: Cary, NC
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Sociology; Interdisciplinary Writing
Internship: US Department of Defense, Legislative Affairs
Favorite place on campus: Tables outside of Tribble Courtyard
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Alisa Russell (English/Writing)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Spending time with friends, running, swimming, reading
Campus involvement: Club Swimming, Student Conduct Advising, Research Assistant at Wake Forest Law School, Dean’s Student Advisory Panel
Career/industry interests: Public policy, government relations, lobbying
If I had a superpower it would be: Superspeed
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Exploring the DC area and being able to grow my professional and personal network

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Sociology; Interdisciplinary Humanities
Internship: Nucor, Public Affairs
Studied abroad?: Venice, Italy
Favorite place on campus: Campus Grounds
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Tess Wise (Politics & International Affairs) and Dr. Phillip Cunningham (Communication)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, writing, outdoor activities, brunch/lunch, taking pictures
Campus involvement: Athenas Women’s Weightlifting Group, Africasa, Black Student Alliance, Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Alpha Delta
Career/industry interests: Sports management, entertainment, domestic/public policy (specifically housing or urban planning) with an emphasis on DEI
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I am looking forward to having a life changing experience in our nation’s capital and walking away with invaluable lessons and connections to propel me into my future career.

Hometown: Hangzhou, China
Major: Sociology
Minors: Statistics; Journalism
Internship: American Enterprise Institute – Center on Opportunity & Social Mobility
Favorite place on campus: Reynolda Trails
Favorite WFU professor: Prof. Justin Catanoso (English/Journalism)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Take a walk to Reynolda Village on a breezy day
Campus involvement: Old Gold & Black, Chinese Student & Scholar Association, Wake Forest Writing Center
Career/industry interests: Journalism, PR, communications, media industry, NGO, international organization
If I had a superpower it would be: Make any food I want to have appear in front of me instantly
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Practical work experience will give me a taste of the industry, help me apply theoretical knowledge, and provide valuable professional connections.
Wake Forest School of Law: D.C. Summer Judicial Externship Program
The D.C. Summer Judicial Externship Program (“DCSJE”) is an exciting opportunity that places first-year and second-year law students into unpaid summer externships at some of the most vibrant and influential courts and federal agencies in Washington, D.C. Students spend at least eight weeks during the summer externing at a participating court or agency in Washington, D.C. They also attend a weekly, evening experiential course that is tailored to judicial clerking. The course is taught by Professor Abigail Perdue, a former federal law clerk and author of The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking. DCSJE students hear from engaging guest speakers, have lunch with federal judges, and visit historical points of interest. Students are also paired with one or more Wake Forest University School of Law alumni living and working in the Washington, D.C. area, who mentor them throughout the summer.