2016 Students

2016 Washington DC Summer Study Group

Eighteen students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are participating in summer internship experiences through the Washington, D.C., Summer Study Program from May 30 through mid-August.

This is the 37th year of the Summer Study Program designed and operated by CSB/SJU faculty and staff in the political science department.

The program provides students an opportunity to live and work in the Washington, D.C., area while earning academic credit. Each student serves in a congressional office, on a committee staff, in a government agency, in a nonprofit organization or with a public affairs group, learning and working in a community. They apply for their internships based on their interests.

In addition to the work experience, program co-directors Christi Siver, associate professor of political science at CSB and SJU, and Matt Lindstrom, professor of political science at CSB and SJU, conduct seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumnae/i and other professionals to enhance the learning experience.

There are 11 students from CSB and seven from SJU in the program this year. While most the students are political science majors, other majors are represented, including economics, environmental studies, Hispanic studies, biochemistry, chemistry, peace studies, English and computer science.

The 18 students are:

R.J. Alpers, a SJU senior Hispanic studies and political science double major from Avon, Minnesota, is interning for Rep. Tim Walz.

Kimberly Bonilla, a CSB senior political science major from St. Paul, Minnesota, is a communications intern at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Leah Carey, a CSB senior political science major from Gilbert, Minnesota, is interning for Rep. Rick Nolan.

Megan Diliberti, a CSB senior environmental studies and political science double-major from Urbandale, Iowa, is an advisory services intern for Urban Land Institute.

Peter Dudziak, a SJU senior economics and political science double major from Burnsville, Minnesota, is interning for Rep. Erik Paulsen.

Ian Durbin, a SJU senior biochemistry major from Ham Lake, Minnesota, is a policy intern at Better Medicare Alliance.

Lucas Giese, a SJU senior political science major from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is interning at Jubilee USA Network, a non-governmental organization advocating for debt relief for developing nations.

Nicholas Harbeck, a SJU senior chemistry and political science double major from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, is a research and regulatory affairs intern at AHRI, a trade association representing heating and cooling companies.

Kathryn Hockman, a CSB junior political science major from Savage, Minnesota, is the communications/social media intern at National Peace Corps Association.

Mary Korman, a CSB senior economics major from Clearwater, Minnesota, is interning at the National Disability Rights Network.

Joseph Mahowald, a SJU senior political science major from Eagan, Minnesota, is interning at David Turch & Associates, a government affairs organization.

Mia McVicker, a CSB senior political science and peace studies double major from St. Cloud, Minnesota, is a research and strategic initiatives intern at American Federation of Teachers.

Madison Morris, a CSB senior Hispanic Studies and political science double-major from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, is interning in the Foreign Press Center at the Department of State.

Meghan Mullon, a CSB junior English and political science double major from Rochester, Minnesota, is interning with U.S. Sen. Al Franken.

Ashley Phillips, a CSB senior environmental studies major from Urbandale, Iowa, is interning at the Department of Interior in the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.

Hanna Pioske, a CSB senior political science major from Le Sueur, Minnesota, is a women's empowerment intern for the Center for International Private Enterprise.

Nash Stamson, a SJU senior economics and political science major from Savage, Minnesota, is interning with the Senate Finance Committee.

Ellen Stensrud, a CSB junior computer science and political science double-major from Glenwood, Minnesota, is the advancement intern for American Rivers.