Some students attend a program and walk away with a certificate. Others walk away changed. For this Suffolk University graduate student in Global Public Policy, one program at The Washington Center wasn't enough, she came back for more.
Having first participated in the Inside Washington Seminar as a junior undergraduate in 2024, she left so inspired that it directly shaped her decision to pursue a master's degree. Now she's returned, this time with more context, more questions, and even more conviction.
What drew you to apply for Inside Washington a second time?
My first experience at The Washington Center left such a lasting impact that it grounded my decision to pursue a Master's in Global Public Policy. I wasn't entirely sure about grad school at first, but remembering the passion I felt at TWC in 2024 inspired me to follow that feeling — to advocate for people in a way that makes a real, positive impact. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have the friendships, the relationships with experts and influential people in DC, or the Suffolk alumni network I'm now part of. Being in Washington during this moment in American history is a real privilege, and I'm so fortunate to be educating myself here and in Boston.
How did this experience complement your coursework?
Public policy is everything that creates, changes, or implements activities affecting the public — and even if you don't care about it, it cares about you. The panels covered an incredible range of topics: economics, trade, healthcare, border security, education, war, expanded executive power, constitutional law, democracy, media, and more. Hearing from such a diverse group of experts created rich, largely nonpartisan conversations I'll always remember. Issues like climate change, AI, and economic inequality are deeply interconnected, both globally and domestically. At TWC you're in rooms where people are paying attention to the things that really matter.
Which moment left the biggest impression on you?
This quote really sticks: Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world; it's the only thing that ever has."
Seeing TWC intentionally platform speakers from across the political spectrum — Democrats and Republicans in genuine conversation with one another — and watching how much common ground they shared was powerful. And the surreal moments: sitting on the floor of the House during ACA votes, watching Bernie Sanders, AOC, Ayanna Pressley, Mitch McConnell, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Nancy Pelosi in person; sitting in the Supreme Court; visiting Bloomberg while they were live on air. These are things you can't replicate in a classroom.
What skills or insights will you carry into your career?
One conversation I'll always carry with me: methods and results must both be independently defensible — results without valid methods are indefensible. We also met with several Suffolk alumni, including a woman I first met during my freshman year who is now working for the federal government at 25 with the same degree I'm pursuing. Seeing her was a reminder that curiosity, engagement, and soft skills — writing well, showing up, listening, caring — are what open doors. This program gives you confidence that you belong at tables you didn't think were possible.
What would you tell students considering applying?
If you have questions about your future or feel disheartened by the state of the world right now, this experience will help put things in perspective. It inspired me, challenged me intellectually, and reminded me why civic engagement, education, empathy, and advocacy matter — maybe now more than ever.
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