Celebrating 25 years of connections in D.C.

The Washington Semester Program recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gathering of more than 100 people at the JMU Washington Center’s Dupont Circle location. The center is the university’s home in the nation’s capital and the site for Washington Semester classes and offices.

“The ability to pursue a full-time internship in the nation’s capital is what draws students to Washington Semester,” said program director David Jones, professor of political science, “but what makes the experience so powerful are the connections students make with alumni, faculty, and — most importantly — each other. The 25th anniversary was a spirited celebration of those connections.”

The program includes semester-length internships with a variety of influential figures and businesses, including congressmen, senators, marketing agencies, law firms and more. Students also benefit from on-site courses, panel discussions featuring professionals in various sectors, cultural activities, and networking opportunities with JMU alumni working in the D.C. area.

This past Giving Tuesday, 82 donors raised more than $10,000 to support the JMU Washington Semester Scholarship, exceeding the program’s goal and ensuring more students can participate in this unique experience in the coming years.