In summer 2019, students traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Department of Government and Justice Studies to get an up-close view of U.S. politics and the policy process. Trips included, “Justice in D.C.,” led by Dr. Jeff Holcomb, a professor in the department and “Washington at Work: Women, Power and Politics,” led by Drs. Ellen Key and Renee Scherlen, also professors in the department, with the intention ofgaining a better understanding of the functions and systems of the federal government relating to criminal justice, political science and public administration.
Students interacted with various federal agencies throughout their trips by engaging with professionals, many of them Appalachian alumni. Students were able to network and witness firsthand the future possibilities within their field of interest after graduation.
“Justice in D.C.” pictured Left to Right: Brian Bauk, Amber Layfield, Travian Smith, Lt. General Robert Ashley (Director of Defense Intelligence Agency and App State/GJS alumnus), Aaron Pura, Annah Seaford, Darby Adams, Dr. Jeff Holcomb (professor, Department of Government and Justice Studies), Ashely Tauscher and Daniel Frye. Photo Submitted by Aaron Pura.
“Justice in D.C.” guided eight criminal justice and pre-law students to interact with large organizations including the FBI, United States Supreme Court Police (USSC PD), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Federal Defenders Office and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOC), U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services, just to name a few. With a broad range of experiences provided and ample opportunity to engage with professionals, many students shared unique reflections of their most memorable moments.
“Dr. Holcomb really wanted to provide an array of experiences to fit the interests of everyone in his class. It was an extremely valuable experience that I will remember for a long time,” said Travian Smith, senior Political Science major.
Travian Smith from Charlotte, North Carolina desired diversification of career outcomes for his area of study. “I was interested in learning more about different federal agencies and organizations. I wanted to broaden my knowledge of how the government operates through the use and regulations of law enforcement.” He was pleasantly surprised by their opportunity to meet with the Supreme Court police following their tour of the Supreme Court.
“I felt incredibly humbled to be afforded the opportunity to sit in the same room that Brown v. Board of Education and Obergefell v. Hodges cases were presented,” said Smith.
Aaron Pura, a senior Criminal Justice major from Charlotte, North Carolina decided to participate in the course in order to learn more about the various federal law enforcement and intelligence-related agencies with the hope of starting his career locally and then moving up, if the right opportunity comes along.
While many experiences stick out for Pura, some notable moments from the course include meeting several alumni including Megan Saxton ’16, Zachary Harrill ’08, and Lieutenant General Robert Ashley ’84, who is the director of the DIA and was the Appalachian Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018. He described meeting these influential and successful alumni as both “inspiring and motivating.” Meeting a military General and Appalachian alumni in one day proved to be a thoroughly impactful experience.
“Washington at Work: Women, Power and Politics” pictured Back row L-R: Fahiima Mohamed, Payton Wannall, Victoria Nobles, Dr. Ellen Key. Middle row L-R: Ryan Murphy, Halley Roth, Emily Willard, Ciera Dalton, Dr. Renee Scherlen, Adeline Collins, Rep. Virginia Foxx, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Front row L-R: Abby Pepper, Brigitte Kelly, Cassidy Chambers, Hanna Ratcliffe. Photo Submitted.
“Washington at Work: Women, Power and Politics” provided aspiring professional women the ability to interact and learn from other women of great impact and influence. In addition to meeting House Representatives, Virginia Foxx and Nancy Pelosi, students met with Appalachian alumni, including (but not an entire list) Ms. Edna Cummings ’78 and Ms. Elsie Kirton ’71 who “were both trailblazers for African American women at Appalachian State University,” remarked Dr. Key.
Halley Roth, senior Political Science major from Wilmington chose this study away course with the hope of further establishing connections and to prepare for the professional world after graduation. The group attended the Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment while in D.C., where Roth was able to snap a picture with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Additionally, a scheduled meeting with U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx went “beyond any expectations I had for the meeting,” says Roth. Foxx surprised the students by bringing them to the House of Chamber to witness voting and then attend the Centennial Celebration afterward.
Roth reflects back on “how all of the Appalachian State University alumni we met with were so excited and willing to help us get to D.C. and start our careers. An alumna, Chyna Melton ’17, walked us through how to network and make connections with people on Capitol Hill. She even offered to help us with our resumes and cover letters. She has remained in touch with me since I left to help me with my resume. I couldn't have asked for a better mentoring opportunity.”
“An amazing experience...with amazing women,” said Emily Willard, senior Sustainable Development major.
Emily Willard from Baltimore, Maryland hoped to see how her two passions of political science and sustainability could come together in the professional sphere. “I realized the vast amount of opportunities there are in D.C. besides ending up working on Capitol Hill,” Willard said. The ladies of the group also received advice from Appalachian alumnae regarding their future endeavors in the workforce, with one evening of their trip entirely dedicated to professional networking.
“It was great knowing that everyone had once been in the same shoes I am here in Boone,” said Willard.
Similarly to Roth, Willard reflects on her time in D.C. by having the opportunity to meet Virginia Foxx as a remarkable experience. While on the House floor, where members of the legislature congregate and make speeches, they saw other prominent political figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and many more.
“We were able to hear many strong and amazing women speak about the importance of women's contributions to government,” said Willard.
The Department of Government and Justice Studies has four summer study courses, each with three credit hours scheduled for the summer 2020, in the two weeks between graduation and the start of summer session one. These courses are open to all majors. This year, heading to Washington, D.C., the department will offer: “Washington at Work 2020: Washington and the World” led by Dr. Curtis Ryan and Dr. Renee Scherlen and “Intelligence and Security in D.C.” led by Dr. Jeff Holcomb. Additional trips include “North Carolina in Action 2020” led by Dr. Adam Newmark and “Law & Order: Chicago led by Dr. Ellen Key and Dr. Cathy Marcum.
For more information about these trips and prior student study away experiences, visit: https://gjs.appstate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/study-away. To inquire about a certain trip this summer, email Dr. Phillip Ardoin, chair of the Department at ardoinpj@appstate.edu.
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About the Department of Government and Justice Studies
Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at https://gjs.appstate.edu.
By Ellen Gwin Burnette and Barclay Ann Blankenship
Dec. 9, 2019
BOONE, N.C.
(Left to right) Students Daniel Frye, Ashely Tauscher, Annah Seaford, Brian Bauk, Darby Adams, Amber Layfield, Travian Smith, Aaron Pura on the Department of Government and Justice Studies “Justice in D.C.” Study Away trip in summer 2019. Photo submitted by Aaron Pura.
(Left to right) Students Daniel Frye, Ashely Tauscher, Annah Seaford, Brian Bauk, Darby Adams, Amber Layfield, Travian Smith, Aaron Pura on the Department of Government and Justice Studies “Justice in D.C.” Study Away trip in summer 2019. Photo submitted by Aaron Pura.