Students explore opportunities in Washington through WilDCats at the Capitol

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2024) — Since its inception in 2016, the WilDCats on the Capitol internship program on the College of Kentucky has been paving the way in which for college kids to embark on transformative experiences in Washington, D.C.

Developed by a partnership between the Workplace of Federal Relations, the Division of Political Science within the School of Arts and Sciences and the Pupil Authorities Affiliation, this system has change into a cornerstone of experiential studying for UK college students.

Gavin Cooper is presently a junior at UK finding out group and management improvement. Through the Spring 2024 semester, he’s been a part of WilDCats within the Capitol interning within the workplace of Senator Joe Manchin (WV).

“My favourite a part of this program is having the chance to get hands-on expertise at a excessive degree,” mentioned Cooper. “Each piece of labor right here in D.C. impacts our lives in intricate methods and this is a chance to see how every thing occurs.”

At its core, this system affords college students a semester-long immersive expertise within the nation’s capital. Members stay collectively, take courses and intern full-time, all whereas staying on monitor to finish their levels. This distinctive mix of educational {and professional} improvement allows college students to use classroom information in real-world settings, getting ready them for profitable careers upon commencement.

“This program is basically particular as a result of it has allowed me to realize spectacular internship expertise with out interfering with my commencement timeline,” mentioned Cooper.

Over time, WilDCats on the Capitol has expanded its attain due to collaborations with varied departments and places of work inside the college. Final 12 months, the Workplace of Federal Relations joined forces with the Workplace for Pupil Success to advertise this system throughout all educational faculties and departments, making certain that college students from each self-discipline have the chance to take part.

Amelia Iliohan is a UK graduate who participated in WilDCats on the Capitol in 2018. She grew up in a small city in Western Kentucky and says this program was the one possible approach for her to expertise profession alternatives in Washington. She now works because the affiliate director of occasions and member engagement on the Nationwide Affiliation of States Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

“This program created a gateway for me to seek out my ardour for worldwide agriculture,” mentioned Iliohan. “WilDCats on the Capital is a complete program that educationally, financially, socially and personally helps UK college students from all faculties and all socioeconomic backgrounds. I’d not be in Washington, D.C., as we speak in a profession I like with out my expertise in this system.”

Govt Director of Federal Relations Eric King expressed the college’s dedication to prioritizing college students’ wants by asserting Matthew Jackson as assistant director of federal relations, who will handle and promote the WilDCats on the Capitol program. This strategic transfer underscores the college’s dedication to increasing its attain in Washington, making certain that college students have unparalleled alternatives for development and success.

The WilDCats on the Capitol internship program is not nearly gaining skilled expertise and making a distinction. From working with Members of Congress to collaborating with top-tier organizations like NASA and UPS, college students can discover numerous profession pathways and make significant contributions to society.

This system invitations all college students to hitch them in Washington and change into a part of the WilDCats on the Capitol group. Their purpose is to proceed empowering the subsequent technology of leaders whereas persevering with schooling.

For extra info on this system, together with find out how to apply, go to www.uky.edu/wildcatsatthecapitol.