Seminars

An Experience of a Lifetime in Just a Week

The Washington Center offers a range of seminars aimed at providing participants with unparalleled behind-the-scenes access, discussions with Washington, D.C.'s political and media elite and an in-depth understanding of the biggest issues facing our nation and the world. Our seminars typically last one week and are particularly useful for those with a specific career interest or are unable to commit to a full internship semester.

Students

• Inside Washington
• National Security

Seminar Faculty

We realize the importance of faculty members who are passionate about these programs and value their partnership in encouraging students to participate.

Faculty Participation

Faculty members have the opportunity to attend a TWC academic seminar by applying to be a faculty leader. Throughout the academic seminar, faculty leaders work with a group of 10 to 20 students as they participate in program activities. During the academic seminar, faculty leaders will:

• Attend all program sessions
• Meet with students for group discussion and instruction
• Facilitate in-person or virtual educational briefings with speakers from embassies, think tanks and other organizations in D.C.
• Read students’ written work and evaluate their academic and professional performance
• Recommend a grade for each student at the end of the program

Some of the faculty leader benefits include:

• Networking with faculty from other institutions
• Engaging with experts and insiders
• A faculty stipend equal to $150 per student in discussion group
• A faculty stipend of $300 for travel (if applicable)
• A private bedroom in a shared apartment in the heart of D.C. or at either of the national political conventions locations (if applicable)

Faculty leaders are selected based on their teaching background and demonstrated interest in experiential learning. All TWC programs are designed to be inclusive, equitable and accessible to all, including those from historically marginalized backgrounds, those with disabilities and neurodiverse populations. To ensure the faculty who serve TWC students are representative of our student body, faculty from these groups are encouraged to apply:

• Women
• Veterans
• LGBTQ+
• First-generation
• Persons with disabilities
• Neurodiverse individuals
• Individuals from historically marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds

Institutions who send a cohort of students to an academic seminar are given the opportunity to select a faculty member to lead their students. See each program’s webpage for information about the number of students required to secure a guaranteed faculty slot.

Faculty Support

Faculty members who are not able to participate in an academic seminar are still encouraged to advocate for their students to be able to attend. In many cases, universities are able to provide financial support and academic credit for these experiences.

If you are interested in promoting TWC academic seminars at your institution, please contact us at info@twc.edu, so we may share some resources to help you with this.