Capitol Hill

From 911�� to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path

sbrown79 — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:49:45 +0000

From 911�� to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path sbrown79 Fri, 05/29/2026 - 13:49

During her final semester at 911��, Sophia Colby put her environmental policy training into action.

Colby traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Rachel Carson Council's National Environmental Advocacy Day, where she met with federal lawmakers to discuss climate legislation and community resilience. For Colby, BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies '26, the experience was a direct extension of the analytical and communication skills she developed at 911��.

"When I first came to 911��, I was interested in studying law, but I decided to concentrate specifically on environmental law and policy," Colby said. "My coursework helped me understand how policy decisions affect both ecosystems and communities, and that gave me the confidence to speak about real legislation with lawmakers."

Sophia Colby on Capitol Hill. Photo provided.

From case studies to Congress

Colby credits courses such as EVPP 361 Introduction to Environmental Policy, EVPP 362 Intermediate Environmental Policy, and EVPP 432 Energy Policy with preparing her to evaluate and discuss complex legislation. Through case-study assignments and applied policy analysis, she examined existing laws, identified gaps, and proposed solutions to environmental challenges.

"My professors showed us how to examine real legislation and policy initiatives related to climate change and other environmental topics," Colby said. "The case study format made me much more comfortable articulating what policy changes are needed and explaining both the human and environmental stakes involved."

On Capitol Hill, she discussed the Opportunities in Organic Act, the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act, and concerns about the wood pellet industry with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).

"It was a great [opportunity] to discuss how issues like pesticides, wood pelletization, and deforestation impact human health as well as the environment," Colby said.

Building experience beyond the classroom

Colby's preparation also included hands-on research. During an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey, she analyzed species range shifts, conducted literature reviews, and navigated scientific databases to support climate research.

"At USGS, I learned how to conduct scientific research that can be used to inform the policy decisions that shape our responses to environmental change," she said.

The interdisciplinary structure of 911��'s Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program, jointly offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science, emphasizes cross-sector collaboration—an approach Colby said mirrors the real-world complexity of environmental work.

Colby also presented her research at the 2026 Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, held in Chicago in April.

Sophia Colby with her mentor Younsung Kim. Photo provided.

Her faculty research mentor Younsung Kim, professor of environmental science and policy, talked about the skills Colby acquired during her time at 911��. "[These skills] will help her become an environmental advocate who does not create conflicts, but instead brings peaceful and constructive resolutions to them," she said. "I believe she will be a strong force for environmental policy and sustainability, as well as a future leader in the field."

Colby, who was in the Honors College, said she found community during her time at 911�� through Alpha Kappa Chi, a fraternity focused on professional development and environmental stewardship, where she connected with peers committed to sustainability and advocacy.

Preparing for what's next

The Rachel Carson Council's Advocacy Day included policy briefings, advocacy workshops, and direct engagement with members of Congress. For Colby, the experience reinforced that the tools she developed at 911�� translate directly into public impact.

"Communication is a big part of advocacy and climate resilience," she said.

Colby hopes to pursue a career focused on how environmental policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities. "Getting involved in this kind of work is powerful and eye-opening," she said. "Knowing how environmental policy impacts communities really motivates people."

For Colby, meeting with lawmakers was more than a culminating moment of her senior year—it was a preview of how her 911�� education has prepared her to contribute to building a future in which communities are better prepared to face environmental change.

In This Story

Younsung Kim

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Congressional internships teach Mason LIFE students independence, resume skills

sholla4 — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:26:47 +0000

Congressional internships teach Mason LIFE students independence, resume skills sholla4 Mon, 12/01/2025 - 14:26

911�� knows the value of hands-on experience in the workplace for all students. An internship can lead to the experience of a lifetime. And that includes Mason LIFE students who are interning on Capitol Hill.

Established by former Representative Gregg Harper in 2010, the Gregg and Livingston Harper Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities matches Mason LIFE students with House and Senate congressional office internships. Students start their internships in their second year and continue them through completion of the program.

“We’re helping them gain the skills needed to seek a fulfilling career when graduating from the program,” explained Linn Jorgenson, director of Mason LIFE, a four-year nondegree educational transition program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One of Mason LIFE’s core curriculum requirements that supports this development is the internship.

“We’re helping them learn what they like and don’t like, how to make decisions on their own, and developing their ability to advocate for themselves,” Jorgenson added.

This fall, eight Mason LIFE students interned across 16 different congressional offices on Capitol Hill.

“My favorite part is getting to see what happens behind the scenes of the government,” said Madison Gulley, a third-year Mason LIFE student and one of the congressional interns.

Mason LIFE students and peer support staff in Washington, D.C. Back row: Nehal Gundawar, Ankit Borle, Shane Sorensen, and Nick Ortega. Front row: Amar Malik, Max Gulley, Noah Coon, Shreya Adusumilli, Sofia Puritano, Eli Zhou, Madison Shaw, Leah McDuffie, Vrushali Vijay Patil, and Varsha Ponnaganti. Not pictured: Aryaa Bhole and Riya Stanly.

Every Friday, Mason LIFE students and their peer support staff—911�� students who travel with the students to their workplaces to provide support and guidance—take the Metro into Washington, D.C., complete their internship assignments for the day for their two congressional offices, eat lunch, and take the Metro back to Fairfax. Students in the program tackle a variety of work for their assigned congressional offices: answering phones, researching bills, delivering mail, giving tours, and doing data entry, to name a few.

“The students working on the Hill are part of a team, completing work that is essential and meaningful to all parties involved,” emphasized Jorgenson.

“When our students come to their internships, our peer support staff are there to facilitate inclusion and support students in successfully completing tasks,” said Melissa Chabot, employment and community involvement coordinator for Mason LIFE. “So not only are these necessary jobs done, you know they’ll be done well.”

Through the internship program, Mason LIFE students learn independence, confidence, and social and cultural competencies; they build valuable resume skills; and they explore their interests to see if they’re the right fit for a long-term career. And for the peer support staff, the benefits are just as important.

Ankit Borle, one of the newer peer support staff, is working toward a master’s in data analytics engineering. “I’ve learned to listen actively, communicate clearly, and tailor support so people can be independent—skills that build trust with teammates, clients, and stakeholders...Most importantly, I’m taking forward an inclusive mindset—making sure every voice is heard—which will make me a stronger colleague and leader wherever I work,” Borle said.

Madison Shaw, a graduate student in the Master of Social Work Program, has worked with Mason LIFE for three years. “It can be so important to focus on abilities versus disabilities. Each student carries so many strengths within themselves and has a lot to offer,” she said.

There’s a similar benefit to the employer. “Mason LIFE students bring an important perspective to the office,” said Chabot. “Employers get an opportunity to reflect on their inclusivity. What are the employers doing that helps everyone be successful, and where can they improve?”

And the joy of watching their fellow students succeed is perhaps the greatest reward of all.

Peer coach Nehal Gundawar, a master’s student in computer science, works with one of the Capitol Hill interns. “In the beginning, they [the Mason LIFE student] were nervous about interacting with staff and unsure how to approach tasks without guidance...after a few weeks they began initiating tasks on their own and even asked for additional responsibilities. Their supervisor complimented their improvements,” he said. “Watching them grow into a more confident and independent employee was incredibly rewarding.”

The congressional interns see the changes in themselves as well.

“Mason LIFE helps me with the skills that are required to be an independent man,” said Amar Mailk, a third-year student.

“Mason LIFE has changed my life,” said Aryaa Bhole, a second-year student. “Because of the lessons and skills, I know to stand out and inspire others and to lift them with my voice.”

Learn more about Mason LIFE

Leading the charge: 911�� researchers advocate for older adults in Capitol Hill campaign

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 16 May 2025 19:03:22 +0000

Leading the charge: 911�� researchers advocate for older adults in Capitol Hill campaign Mary Cunningham Fri, 05/16/2025 - 15:03

In This Story

Li-Mei Chen, PhD

Li-Mei Chen, an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work, and Health Services Research PhD student Linda Hayes Bennett participated in the annual Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) Capitol Hill Advocacy Day on April 29–30, 2025. The advocacy campaign brought together researchers and professionals from across the country to promote aging-related policy priorities and champion additional funding.

Li-Mei Chen (second from the left) and Linda Hayes Bennett (second from the right) with colleagues at the annual Gerontological Society of America's Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. Photo provided.

“As scientists, we adapt to new ways of thinking about health and aging when funding and priorities change. I think the touching stories of how our current work serves and helps older adults in our community and state moved the legislative staff and Congress people we met with,” said Hayes Bennett.

As part of the Virginia delegation, Chen and Bennett met with legislative staff from the offices of Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Congressmen H. Morgan Griffith and Don Beyer, and Congresswoman Erica Eisenman. They advocated for sustained investment in programs that support older adults, including Medicaid, the Administration for Community Living programs such as Meals on Wheels, and funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They emphasized the economic and scientific value of NIH support—highlighting that in fiscal year 2023, NIH funding generated an estimated $92.9 billion in economic activity, with every $1 of investment returning $2.50 in economic benefits. Using data from Science Impacts, Chen and Bennett illustrated the potential impact of proposed budget cuts on research progress and job losses.

Chen shared insights from her research, which uses virtual reality to train nursing home direct care staff in relationship-centered dementia care. She noted that many direct care workers receive no formal training in dementia care, and among those who do, 54% struggle with training delivered exclusively in English. Her colleague explained the prevalence rates of dementia by constituency area, and they advocated for the need of dementia care workforce training and research in Virginia.

“It was an honor to stand alongside distinguished colleagues representing the next generation of researchers advocating for this important work,” said Hayes Bennett. “I am grateful to my mentor/advisor Gilbert Gimm for encouraging me to rejoin GSA.”

Fellow gerontology scholars from Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Georgetown University also participated in the event. GSA is the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging, with more than 6,000 members—80% of whom receive federal funding, primarily through the NIH and National Institute on Aging (NIA). Chen is a Fellow and long-standing member of GSA, and Bennett is an active member.

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Students

Education policy students meet with Virginia policymakers on the Hill

ckearney — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 19:12:48 +0000

Education policy students meet with Virginia policymakers on the Hill ckearney Wed, 10/09/2024 - 15:12

911�� professor Jeffrey K. Grim took his HE 711 Policy Analysis in Higher Education class to the U.S. Capitol to learn about the education policymaking process.

911�� professor Jeff Grim with students Zayd Hamid, Damaris Benton, Victoria Barrett, Charlie Kreitzer, Amanda Corso, Tim Diggins, Hannah Park, Ssu Yu (Steve) Chen, and Susan Gardner. Photo provided

The group, which included master’s and doctoral students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education and Human Development, met with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and Virginia Representative Bob Good, each of whom sit on their respective higher education committees.

The group also met with the president and staff from the American Council on Education, an organization that researches and advocates for policy change.

This is the third time Grim has offered the trip—and also his third semester teaching at 911�� in the Higher Education Program.

“Every semester I have taken my classes into Washington, D.C., to explore different facets of higher education,” said Grim. “Being so close to D.C., it is hard to pass up the opportunity to take advantage of learning about higher education from the epicenter of higher education policy.”

In previous semesters Grim has also taken classes to U.S. Department of Education, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

Graduate student Victoria Barrett said the experience reaffirmed her decision to attend 911��. "It was an experiential learning opportunity that very few institutions can match," said Barrett, who is in the Higher Education Program. "After a quick Metro ride, my classmates and I were able to see firsthand how higher education policy takes shape.”

Barrett added that she valued the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives on how federal and state governments can or should support higher education in the United States.

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Schar student’s summer internship at Capitol Hill is a slam dunk

sbrown79 — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 19:38:13 +0000

Schar student’s summer internship at Capitol Hill is a slam dunk sbrown79 Mon, 07/29/2024 - 15:38

In This Story

Arnold C. Dupuy

Livija Kaktaite started her journey at 911�� in 2018 as an undergraduate global affairs major. This past May, she graduated with her master’s in international security from the Schar School of Policy and Government. During her time as a Patriot, she also played point guard and shooting guard on the women’s basketball team. Now as an alum, she continues to run up the hill—Capitol Hill.

Livija Kaktaite. Photo provided

“I’m currently interning for Representative Ann Wagner from Missouri (R-2nd). I attend [House] Foreign Affairs [Committee] hearings, take notes, and write memos. The best part about this internship is that you get as much out of it as you put in,” said Kaktaite, who is from Lithuania. “You could answer phones and make coffee, or you can be proactive and ask your colleagues ‘How can I help you?’”

Before getting her current position, Kaktaite reached out to a fellow 911�� alum Ted Dubuque, BA International Relations ’22, who is the staff assistant to Rep. Wagner. Dubuque, like Kaktaite, completed the Global Politics Fellows program while at 911��.

“I wanted to learn about his experience, so we had a call on LinkedIn. He asked if I would want to interview with him for an internship and I ended up getting selected,” said Kaktaite, who also emphasized the importance of networking on Capitol Hill.

Along with her internship, Kaktaite is working with Schar School professor Arnold Dupuy on a NATO Science and Technology organization assignment, which dovetails with her interested in aerospace and security. Dupuy, who was working on multiple projects in the energy security field, gave Kaktaite the opportunity to work as a coordinator on the virtual workshop symposium being held.

Livija Kaktaite on Capitol Hill. Photo provided.

The internship and NATO assignment both provide practical work experience that will help her with her job search in the future.

One of the biggest lessons Kaktaite has learned from her internship so far is how important it is to understand the wide-ranging American perspective, the innerworkings of Congress, and how legislation is made, she said.

“I talk to constituents from Missouri, and I get very polarized opinions. You just have to understand the broad perspectives, needs, and concerns of everyday people,” said Kaktaite.

Following her time on Capitol Hill, Kaktaite will intern at the Lithuanian Embassy where she is participating in a NATO simulation as a representative of her native country.

“All of the participants will submit one page of their priorities and then we try to negotiate with each other and reach consensus. If we reach consensus then three people selected will be able to present it to a group of academics—generals from NATO, people from think tanks, ambassadors,” explained Kaktaite.

Kaktaite came to 911�� with the hopes of being a professional basketball player. She even played professionally in Lithuania earlier this year.

“I played the season, and it just wasn't the same,” said Kaktaite. “I'm way more passionate about international security diplomacy now. I can be more impactful there, and I am able to translate the skills that I learned in basketball, like the importance of teamwork, into my career.”

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Mason management professor analyzes debt ceiling negotiations

ckearney — Wed, 24 May 2023 19:48:37 +0000

Mason management professor analyzes debt ceiling negotiations ckearney Wed, 05/24/2023 - 15:48

In This Story

Kevin Rockmann

With the U.S. Treasury deadline to raise the debt ceiling just days away, the United States inches closer to a first-ever debt default with possible ramifications for the global economy. Why have negotiations not led to a compromise?

Kevin Rockmann

We asked Kevin Rockmann, professor of management at 911��'s School of Business, and co-author of the book Negotiation: From Conflict to Agreement.

How did we get to this point in the negotiation process?

Thanks to the U.S. system of checks and balances, neither the Speaker McCarthy nor President Biden can truly be seen as the more powerful party in the debt-ceiling negotiations. Each of them holds the hierarchical high ground in a separate sphere. When there is a single, obvious issue on the table (e.g., raising the debt ceiling), such a power dynamic naturally lends itself to a stalemate.

How can negotiators keep the talks on track?

In these situations, the best way to keep things moving forward is to add items for negotiation, turning a single point of contention into a buffet of options from which negotiators can pick and choose. That way, the negotiation can become more nuanced, offering greater scope for compromises that all parties can live with. Indeed, we have seen this in the debt-ceiling talks—with the addition of spending cuts and work requirements as points for debate and discussion.

What role does trust play in the negotiations?

Negotiators must trust each other enough to be honest about which compromises they’d be willing to make. That level of trust is hard to come by in this highly polarized political environment. Biden and McCarthy are all too aware that any concession would be interpreted as a sign of weakness by their respective voter bases.

What if negotiations fail?

A default is in no one’s best interest. And while Biden could invoke the 14th Amendment, he can’t be sure of vindication in the legal furor that would surely ensue.

So what is likely to happen?

I anticipate that the outcome of these current negotiations will be—no lasting outcome at all. The two politicians will find a face-saving way to kick the can down the road, by agreeing to raise the debt ceiling for now and postpone the larger conversation by, say, six months to a year.

How can this be prevented in the future

Lifting the deadlock and achieving real progress will occur only when the matter is transferred to bipartisan groups such as the centrist “Gang of Ten” in the Senate, who, after several rounds of failed negotiations, brokered a compromise infrastructure bill in 2021. Cooperative pockets such as these may be Washington, D.C.’s last bastion of creative compromise—an essential last resort of realpolitik.

Rockmann can be reached at krockman@gmu.edu.

For more information, contact Benjamin Kessler at bkessler@gmu.edu.

About 911��

911�� is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a $1 billion comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and sustainability. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

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‘How Washington Really Works’: A Collaborative Class with the University of Pennsylvania

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:05:14 +0000

‘How Washington Really Works’: A Collaborative Class with the University of Pennsylvania Andrew J Schappert Tue, 12/07/2021 - 16:05

In This Story

Steven Pearlstein

Steven Pearlstein. Photo by Creative Services

A first-ever course taught by political insiders arrives during the spring 2022 semester that will help students understand how politics is accomplished in the nation’s capital. And it takes place on Capitol Hill.

GOVT 467: Issues in Economic Policy—also known as “How Washington Really Works”—features Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist and Mason Robinson Professor of Public Affairs Steven Pearlstein and Zeke Emmanuel, former health care advisor for President Obama and now the vice provost for global initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.

Emmanuel, Pearlstein said, “thought it would be fun to teach a course about how Washington really works and he suggested we do it together. I said, that's a great idea but there's a little problem: Your school is in Pennsylvania and my school is in Virginia.”

As it happens, Penn operates the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement on Constitution Avenue, just blocks from the Capitol. The idea, Pearlstein said, was that “we could teach the course in Washington and we could have the students from Penn come south and the ones from [Mason] come north.”

Zeke Emmanuel. Photo by Candace di Carlo

The Friday classes will feature special speakers who will elaborate on insights of eight case studies the course will explore. Cases range from the 1957 Civil Rights Act to welfare reform to Obamacare. According to the course description, “policy debates, political dealing, and the motivations and ambitions of politicians and policy makers will be examined, along with the roles of interest groups, think-tanks, and the media.” (Lunch and Metro fare will be provided to each student.)

In the final weeks, students working in groups of politically like-minded colleagues, will be tasked with creating comprehensive and politically-realistic policy proposals related to immigration, poverty, and taxes.

“Our aim is for [students] to not be cynical about how policy is made but to be realistic,” Pearlstein said of the goal of the course.

Ultimately, students will understand how public policy is achieved when stakeholders have competing interests.

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Schar School News December 2021

Capitol Hill

From 911�� to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path

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From 911���� to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path

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Leading the charge: 911�� researchers advocate for older adults in Capitol Hill campaign