By Lynne Montrose of Regis University
Education will begin a bit earlier this fall for 10 Regis University students. They’ve been selected to attend The Washington Center’s academic seminar and internship program during the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.
Regis will host this prestigious national program, and so was able to offer scholarships for the summer program to 10 of its top students. The students will join top-notch students from across the country for a week of intensive academic work followed by a week in the field at the convention.
“Past conventions have inspired, influenced and changed the lives of students,” Gene Alpert, senior vice president of The Washington Center, told the Regis students in a meeting last month. “This is experiential education at its best.”
The Regis University students selected to receive scholarships to attend The Washington Center national political convention seminar are Chelsea Coalwell, Regis College freshman; Maricor Coquia, RC junior; Rebecca King, College for Professional Studies junior; Erik Meddles, RC sophomore; Lisa K. Moore, CPS sophomore; Michael Mudd, RC freshman; Pearl Shields, RC junior; Emily Sloan, RC freshman; Farida Sultany, RC junior; and Daniel Van der Vieren, RC junior.
Interested students were asked to submit essays explaining how the experience would help them develop their own political perspective and how they would use that perspective at Regis and beyond. They also were asked why they thought they should receive the scholarship and represent Regis University.
“The quality of applications for The Washington Center scholarship was exceptional,” said Lynne Montrose, director of the Academic Internship Program at Regis and chair of the five-member selection committee, which represented all three colleges. “I am so proud of the 10 students who will spend two weeks attending the seminars and doing fieldwork at the DNC. They represent the highest level of both intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for our democratic process.”
The students are a diverse group, with varied backgrounds and vastly different goals for their experience with the convention and The Washington Center coursework.
For Coalwell, a history and politics double major with a philosophy minor, it’s a fascination with politics. “I hope to gain from (the program) a decision as to whether or not I want to pursue a career in politics,” she said.
Coquia, current editor of The Highlander, a role she will continue next year, is looking for a journalistic experience. “As a reporter and a citizen,” she said, “I will bring an open mind, an understanding ear and community-centered mindset to this experience.” She is in the Honors Program, working on an interdivisional major that primarily focuses on biology, followed by art history, psychology and communications.
King, administrative coordinator for the Graduate Counseling Program, is a student in the bachelor of liberal arts program who anticipates graduating in December. She said her interest in the program comes from a passion for social justice, politics and public service. Among other things, she hopes to gain valuable experience to launch her own political career.
Moore, an active Barrack Obama supporter, said, “I have a long-held belief that politics is not a spectator sport.” As such, she added, “I’m very excited to experience the nomination of a candidate from the grassroots beginnings of a campaign, through the local conventions, and on to the big event.” She hopes to graduate in May 2009 with a degree in marketing.
As a freshman in the Honors Program, Mudd is leaning toward majoring in computer science and politics. He said although he works hard to be a well-informed citizen, “politics, especially on the federal level, tends to seem distant and removed from my life. Participating in The Washington Center Seminar and the Democratic Convention will allow me to see the political process from the inside out.”
Shields, a politics and English double major, said her hope for participating in The Washington Center program is “to be a part of what looks to be an exciting time in politics.”
Sloan, a history and politics major, said she hopes to use her experiences to encourage her fellow students to participate in the political system. “This process is envied by world citizens, and not well understood or appreciated by our own citizens. To witness this up close would be a tremendous learning opportunity.”
Sultany, who was born in Afghanistan, raised in Pakistan and moved to the United States in 2003, is hoping to combine her Washington Center experiences with her background to make a difference in the world. “I think that it is very important for me to continue working toward spreading the word of peace, justice, tolerance and diversity. … I will learn further about various diplomacies and actions that could lead a nation toward a better democracy and justice.”
Being a leader is important to Van der Vieren, who is majoring in math and leadership and hopes to gain valuable leadership experience. “This seminar appears to be a magnificent experience to shape who I am as an individual and also encourage me to take an active role in society, a role cognizant of the shifting paradigms, as well as a role fit for making a difference in the world.”
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