Category Archives: Information for Students

Paid summer internship with The Washington Bus

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The Washington Bus is offering an interesting paid summer internship opportunity.

The Washington Bus is a statewide non-partisan movement-building organization that seeks to increase the political power and participation of young people across Washington State, while developing the next generation of leaders and organizers.

The Washington Bus is now recruiting Summer Fellows for a ten-week paid political, social justice, political power-building, and organizing program for young people. The Fellowship is part-time and is open to 18-25-year-olds in Washington state. Fellows spend the summer organizing young people, working on issue campaigns, turning out the youth vote, and learning about social justice, power building, and politics in Washington state. Fellows leave the program having made an impact on Washington Bus campaigns, with the skills to make real change in their communities, and a network of Bus family and friends to support them beyond the program.

The Washington Bus Fellowship is a 20-hour-a-week, 10 weeks long program starting the week of June 11th, 2024. This program is based in Seattle and housing will be provided for folks who aren’t from the Seattle area or can’t commute regularly. The priority consideration deadline is Wednesday, April 3rd, and the final application deadline is Saturday, April 20th at 11:59 pm. Fellows are paid $20 per hour throughout the program, or can opt to use that money as scholarship funds towards higher education (to be paid directly to the college/university).

For more information and the link to apply, visit: 2024 Summer Fellowship Application (google.com)

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Edgar Espino at edgar@washingtonbus.org or text at 360-567-5109.

Karen Lin Interns with Pierce County Council

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Economics & Policy Analysis graduate Karen Lin recently completed a summer internship with Pierce County Council (PCC). Karen is the second EPA student to participate in PCC’s new paid summer internship. During Karen’s internship, she worked directly with the County Council and its professional staff.  One of the main projects she worked on was building an inventory for all the housing intervention services throughout Pierce County. Toward the end of her internship, the Council asked her to present this inventory to its committee meeting on homelessness.
During her internship, Karen took advantage of many opportunities made available to her by County staff, such as touring different facilities within the county to better understand the local government.  She also learned about career opportunities with the County. “I am glad to have taken this opportunity to work for the council,” Karen commented.  “It has allowed me to grow as a person and given me the experience of working in government administration.”
Meanwhile, EPA faculty continue to work closely with Pierce County Council, and to extend internship opportunities with it. If interested, contact Prof. Katie Baird (kebaird@uw.edu).

Calling all students interested in public policy and economic analysis

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Thinking of graduate school?  Consider applying to the Public Policy and International Affairs’ (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute, which is a new summer program at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy. The application closes on November 1, 2023.

The PPIA program promotes the participation of underrepresented groups in domestic and international public service. This program is fully-funded, with a curriculum that includes economics, policy analysis, implementation, quantitative methods, and community engagement – all designed to sharpen students’ quantitative, analytic, and leadership skills.  You’ll also gain exposure to public service in the Pacific Northwest through experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, field trips, and engagement with community-based practitioners, regional leaders, and elected officials. This institute offers a terrific learning opportunity as well as enhances your credentials for graduate school in a public policy field.

What: Junior Summer Institute (JSI)

Who: Rising seniors of all majors

When: June 19-August 2, 2024

BENEFITS

  • Seven week residential program hosted by the University of Washington’s Evans School
  • Full tuition and housing with a meal plan
  • Stipend up to $1,000
  • Books and course materials
  • Mentorship from professionals working in fields of public policy, management, and governance
  • Scholarship at a PPIA graduate school

REQUIREMENTS

  • Graduating between December 2024 and August 2025
  • Demonstrated interest in public policy and commitment to career in public service sector
  • History of work involving historically underserved or underrepresented communities

INTERESTED?
There will be a PPIA Program JSI Informational Webinar on Friday, October 6th from 9am – 10:30am (Pacific Time – Los Angeles).  Use the following link to RSVP. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://bit.ly/JSI2024Webinar__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!j5yxBbnZzzd-3kTgKy5BFR1GfZ2zVwhHRrPNLphlaqgRUC0aH1_nEyNVgt4rfbqjL6HabwxAdNr8$

PPPA Prize Winners and End-of-Year Celebration

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On May 27th, PPPA faculty and students gathered to celebrate our 2022 Paper Prize Winners and all our graduating seniors. Faculty gave speeches on the future and all graduating seniors received a department certificate of completion.

This year, paper prizes were awarded to two types of papers:  a long research paper, and a shorter paper.

The winners were In the long-form (capstone) category were: 

Guadalupe Ramos-Orozco, a Politics,
Philosophy, and Economics major,
won the prize for his paper, “The Political Economy of Space: Neoliberalism, Houselessness, and Incarceration.”
Jonathon Church, a Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major, received an honorable mention for his paper,  “Washington State Sausage Making: Attempting to Measure the Efficiency of the Legislature.”
Andre Jimenez, a Law and Policy major, received an honorable mention for his paper, “Freedom Isn’t Free: Why Pierce County Needs to Move Beyond a Cash Bail System.”
In the short-form category:
Bryan Lewis, an Economics and Policy Analysis major, won the prize for his paper, “Examining Legal Financial Obligations in Washington State.”
Maddy McVaugh, a Law and Policy major, received an honorable mention for her paper, “Does Diversity Matter? Police Violence, Minority Representation, and Urban Policing.”

 

 

 

 

Thank you to the PPPA faculty for organizing this. Good conversation and good food meant that fun was had by all!

Call for Self-Nominations for the Annual PPPA Paper Prize

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Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs (PPPA) students are invited to nominate a paper for this year’s PPPA Undergraduate Paper Prize award. This year there will be two prizes, one for papers of 15 or more pages and one for papers of less than 15 pages. A list of prior winners, and their papers, can be found on UWT’s Digital Commons library. All PPPA students (those majoring in Law & Policy; Politics, Philosophy & Economics; and Economics & Policy Analysis) are eligible to apply.

Last year, Ariel Cook, a Law and Policy major, won the PPPA Paper Prize for her capstone paper, “Immigration Detention in the Trump Era: A Timeline and Analysis.”  Teresa Dennerlein, a Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major, received an honorable mention for her capstone paper, “Whose Recession is it Anyway? How Crisis Discourse Influences Gender Employment Equity in Recession.”

For the long paper prize, capstone papers are especially welcome, although students may nominate any independent research paper that was produced in a PPPA course (or for a PPPA internship) between Spring quarter of 2021 and Winter quarter of 2022.  Please send submissions to Prof. Charles Williams (charles1@uw.edu).

The prize winners will be announced on Friday, May 20. An award celebration will take place the following Friday, May 27 in GWP 320 (Dawn Lucien Room). This will also be a general end-of-year celebration for PPPA students, and especially graduating seniors. More details to follow in May.

Students Intern For The Washington State Legislature

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This year, the Washington State Legislature selected four UWT students to participate in its Legislative Internship Program. About 60 students statewide are selected as interns who then work directly for members of the Senate or House.  All interns work full time for the Legislature over the winter quarter, earning 15 credits in the process.

Jasmin Randhawa is a Senior majoring in Politics Philosophy and Economics.  She served as a Policy Research Intern for the Senate Democratic Caucus. What stood out for her about this internship is the exposure it gave her to role models.  “For someone who comes from a marginalized community, this is a really great way to enter the world of politics. I met a Senator who speaks the same language as I do and it’s like “wow!” that that could be me.”

Alexandria Steele, a senior majoring in Psychology, interned with Reps Berry, Frame, and Senn. She too found that the experience changed her.  “As a student from a working-class background, I hadn’t thought that much about how to prepare myself for post-graduation.  I just focused on my grades, and now I realize not that many people care about grades.  I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

Dalton Stephens, a senior in Law and Policy, interned for Senator Sam Hunt of District 22 representing Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater.  Dalton found the internship offered a unique professional opportunity.  “It’s exciting to be in political circles and to understand what everyone is saying. It’s amazing how well interns blend in.  I’ve probably learned more during this internship than in two years of college.”

Jonathon Church, a senior in Politics Philosophy and Economics, interned for Reps. Barkis, Klippert, and Sutherland. He seconded the unique educational value of this internship:  “It helped orient me toward the job market and got me to apply what I’ve learned in fields that I’m interested in.”

In addition to interning, students also take part in Civic education, which includes a mock debate, guest speakers, and educational lectures designed to enhance their internship.  This year’s mock debate was overseen by Lt. Gov Denny Heck playing the role of President of the Senate, a role he plays in real life. Remarked Jon Church:  “It is hard not to take it serious when you hear the Lt. Gov. Call out your name with the word Senator before it!”

All four students agreed that this unique internship opportunity is a rigorous one. “It’s one of the most challenging learning experiences I’ve ever had,” summed up Jon Church.

Go here to listen to an interview with the four students.

PPE Major Teresa Dennerlein Wins Two Scholarships

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Sophomore and PP&E Major Teresa Dennlein has gotten this academic year off to a great start, having been selected for two competitive scholarships!

Teresa is one of nine students selected in this year’s cohort of Dressel Scholars. The University of Washington Tacoma Dressel Scholars Program recognizes and rewards exceptional scholarly achievement, community engagement, and leadership potential for any student enrolled at UW Tacoma. The Dressel Scholars Program was created to honor the legacy of Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel by creating a robust scholarship and mentorship program that affords our students the opportunities to develop their leadership skills and community connections while giving them the financial freedom to fully participate in their UW Tacoma experience.

Teresa was also awarded a Jennifer Dunn-Thompson Scholarship through the Washington Policy Center. The scholarship is for female students who are interested in policy-related fields, and named in honor of the late Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.

If you are interested in these or other scholarship award opportunities, be sure to visit the Office of Student Fellowships and Awards to find out more!

Intern for the State Legislature: Info Session October 1st

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Interested in interning at the state Capitol next winter?  Attend an info session during the lunch hour (12:15-1:15) on Tuesday October 1st in WCG 110. 

The Washington State Legislative Intern Program offers a terrific opportunity for undergraduate juniors and seniors from all majors to learn the legislative process while gaining professional work experience. Interns are placed in the office of a state senator or state representative with similar interests.  Last winter session, 8 UWT students were selected to participate.

This is a paid internship, and you’ll receive 15 academic credits.  If your major is PP&E or Law and Policy, the internship satisfies your capstone requirement.

A program coordinator from the Legislature will be present at this info session.  More information on the program can be found on the program’s web page.  Applications will be due next October. Information on the application process is available on the program website.

WhLester-Burkesat:  Information Session about Washington State’s Legislative Internship Program

Where:  WCG 110

When:  12:15-1:15 Tuesday Oct 1st

internships-300x206Watch a 4 minute video on the program that features former UWT interns (go to link above and scroll down).

Lu-A Kikuo Wins Annual PPPA Paper Prize Award

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Dilluchei (Lu-A) Kikuo (left) is a co-winner of the annual PPPA Best Paper for her essay “Republican Virtue and Klechibelau in the Face of Colonization: Machiavelli, Rousseau, the Belauan Civic Idea.” Lu-A wrote this paper as part of her work in Prof. Michael Forman (left) Senior Seminar course Winter Quarter, 2019.  Three faculty members (Elizabeth Bruch, Charles Williams, and Sarah Hampson) reviewed papers nominated this year, and selected Lu-A’s, as well as Lucas Waggoner’s, for this year’s award.

Lu-A hails from the island nation of Palau. Beginning in the 16th Century, Palau was the object of colonization by Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States, all of which sought to obliterate its institutions, values, and culture. The Republic of Palau attained independence in 1981, though it maintains a close relationship with the United States.

Lu-A’s course of study at UWT was heavily influenced by political theory and ethnic and gender studies. Her award-winning paper reflects this trajectory. The notion of republican virtue has a long tradition in Mediterranean and European political theory.  In this tradition, liberty is understood in terms of laws oriented toward the common good and rooted in citizen action. But, the rule of law is a fragile thing and its main source of strength are public virtues such as the love of liberty and citizen engagement in the pursuit of the common good. Lu-A, however, saw something else in the idea of “civic virtue:” she saw the same core precepts found in Klechibelau, a very old idea in Palau.

Klechibelau literally translates into “the ways of Belauan life.” This “encompasses the mores, values, traditions, and customs of the Belauan culture and identity, all of which work together for the common good.” In her paper, Lu-A relies on canonical political theory sources (especially Machiavelli and Rousseau) to reconstruct the notion of republican virtue. She then argues that klechibelau, by offering similar resources, embodies Belauan notions of liberty and has played a role in preserving the Belauan way of life. While it has been much undermined by colonial practices, she argues for its renewal.  “Republicanism and Klechibelau in the Face of Colonization” brings together Lu-A’s course of study and extends it in a completely new direction not only for her, but for the field of political theory.

More importantly, “Republicanism and Klechibelau in the Face of Colonization” also offers something new to the people of the Republic of Palau: a way of rooting new institutions in traditional values.

PPPA’s Senior Seminar (TPOLS 480)  allows students to bring together with what they have learned in their course of study, and extend and deepen their knowledge into a new area. Lu-A’s paper is a superb example of this.

Students Spend Winter Interning In Olympia

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This winter eight UWT students spent the winter quarter working for the State Legislature as members of the state’s Legislative Internship Program.  About 60 students statewide are selected each year, and this year UWT had more students participating than any other school.  Interns work directly for members of the Senate or House.  On the House side, Rania Elbasiony (senior, Law & Policy) interned for Reps. Chopp, Sullivan and Peterson; Alex Morrison (senior, Politics Philosophy & Economics) for Reps. Schmick, Tharinger and Dent; and Kegan Ross (senior, SIAS) for Reps. Leavitt and Fey.  Alex Seddon (senior, Politics, Philosophy & Economics) worked in Sen. Mark Mullet’s office, Alexandria Swanson (senior Law & Policy) for Sen. Ann Rivers, Maria Colocho (senior, Law & Policy) for Sen. Mona Das, Shelby Wiedmann (senior, Politics, Philosophy & Economics) for Sen. Patty Kuderer, and Andrew Volgelgesang (senior, Politics, Philosophy & Economics) for Sen. John Braun.  The internship requires a full time commitment for the winter term, although many of the interns have opted to remain for the rest of the session, which is scheduled to finish at the end of April.  All students earn 15 credits, and complete substantial academic work in addition to their work with the Legislature.

Three other PPPA students also interned in Olympia this winter.  Walter Smit worked full time for the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office, a position that had him testifying twice before Senate and House Committees. Theresa Leo interned with the Washington State Board of Education; and for the second year in a row, Adan Espino spent the quarter lobbying in Olympia on behalf of UWT students.