Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Whether a student wants to work in politics, advance policy or engage in advocacy on behalf of their communities, three of the University of Dayton’s College of Arts and Sciences programs and immersions — Statehouse Civic Scholars, Dayton2DC and Dayton2Columbus — help spark passions and fulfill those desires.

These programs, however, can carry large costs, such as living in Columbus, Ohio, when students are participating in an unpaid internship or visiting the District of Columbia to connect with alumni and career opportunities. But with the help of funding, including from generous donors to the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fund for Excellence during One Day, One Dayton, removing these barriers is possible.

In 2023, 51 students participated in these programs, pursuing their career interests and experiencing course-altering revelations.

Kaylee Wagers, a senior studying political science, was in the Statehouse Civic Scholars program, which offers students a summerlong internship in the Ohio Statehouse with housing in Columbus and regular networking events with alumni. 

Wagers worked on policy research regarding human trafficking for the Ohio attorney general’s office as a part of the program. She initially wasn’t interested in political work, but her internship opened her eyes to potentially working in government.

“This was a life-changing experience — I really do mean that,” Wagers said. “I came out of this program with two new friends, and we’re planning to live in Columbus together after graduation. Professionally, I feel confident in my ability to get a job and perform after a great experience in my placement office. And being able to meet, network and see how strong the UD alumni network is, it meant the world to me.”

Students interested in exploring career opportunities and networking with alumni working in the federal government can participate in Dayton2DC during the spring semester. While it’s not an internship experience, many find placements as a result of their trip, as was the case for Kayla Nickel.

Nickel started at UD as a junior. With only one summer to complete an internship, she applied to Dayton2DC, took the mini-course required for the trip, and went on the excursion to scope out opportunities. There, Nickel met a UD alum in Rep. Mike Turner’s office who gave her a lead on an internship opportunity, which she received and completed during the summer.

“For me, money has always been an issue, and I would not have made it to D.C. to network with people, let alone get an internship, without this opportunity,” Nickel said. “It’s a disadvantage nobody should have, but [donors] made the path easier.”

Similar to Dayton2DC, Dayton2Columbus offers students an opportunity to learn the inner workings of state government.

Dayton2Columbus provided political science and international studies major Joey Guagenti opportunities to hear advice from alumni, tour the Ohio Statehouse and meet Gov. Mike DeWine on the group’s daylong trip.

Guagenti said he has always been interested in politics, and the panels helped him get a better understanding of career paths, including working in the legislative or executive branches, lobbying or other government-related fields.

“I learned about the importance and impact the state government has, and I’m very appreciative,” Guagenti said. “Politically, the federal government gets a lot of attention, but I learned that what happens within the Statehouse is also, if not more so, related to our daily lives, and social and economic climates.”

The programs vary in experience, location and duration, but so do the students with their interests, political affiliations and career goals. Differences aside, they all walk away with valuable career insights, something former Ohio Governor Bob Taft and UD alum Eileen Austria ’81 were committed to when they started Statehouse Civic Scholars in 2011.

Dan Birdsong, a UD senior lecturer and political science experiential learning coordinator, said he views these programs as crucial for students to develop a clearer picture of possible career paths. He said even if the conversations and internships don’t turn out the way the students hoped, there is value in knowing ‘this is not for me’, while in the safety net of a program.

“Through these experiences and internships, you get some substance,” said Birdsong. “And as you select and try them, you can figure out if this is something you are really passionate about doing. Is this something that fits into the life you want?”