The CMC Washington Program offers a variety of opportunities for students to enrich their internship and academic experience. The program faculty and staff invite guest speakers to meet the students in class. In the past, they have included former politicians, senior government officials, think tank leaders, political consulting professionals, lobbyists, foreign scholars, federal judges, prominent lawyers, and policy researchers. The students may also participate in discussions organized by local universities and think tanks. Or they may network with professional and political leaders through events and social gatherings organized by their employers and a host of non-profit organizations, including advocacy groups.
Additionally, living in DC gives students unlimited access to the city’s magnificent monuments, museums, and iconic attractions. Organized tours are often available for students who want to visit the White House, U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol, and various agencies, such as the U.S. State Department, the FBI, and the Pentagon. The program also arranges field trips to historical sites outside of Washington, D.C. such Mount Vernon and Gettysburg.
While DC is known for politics, the city is also a leading center of arts, music, and sports with weekly engaging and exciting cultural events. Each semester, students are offered opportunities to experience a cultural performance or sports event of their choice. CMC Washington Program students also have the opportunity to network with program alumni and interns from other universities through organized field trips and dinner receptions.
DC Athenaeum
The CMC Washington Program organizes public discussions and forums with the CMC Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, often inviting other universities and organizations to co-hosts them. Each forum begins with a reception that provides an opportunity for Claremont College students to network with alumni, speakers, and guests.
Recent Athenaeum Events
The Role of Women in Foreign and Defense Policies was co-organized with Women In International Security (WIIS). Speakers included CMC alumna, Jennifer L. Miller, J.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations and experts from American University, Georgetown University, and Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
Putin’s World, a book discussion with Dr. Angela Stent. Professor Stent is director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies and a professor of government and foreign service at Georgetown University. From 2004 to 2006, she served as national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council.
The Impact of the Midterm Elections on Policy and Policymaking featured the Honorable John M. McHugh, former Secretary of the United States Army, Congressman Jamie Raskin, CMC Professor Andrew E. Busch, and NRCC Policy Director, Chris Del Beccaro.