Political science student gains firsthand policy experience in Washington

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State student Ashlyn Gilchriest spent her summer getting an up-close look at how policy, legislation and advocacy intersect in the nation’s capital.

A fourth-year student majoring in political science with minors in American Sign Language and sustainability leadership, Gilchriest interned as a public policy intern with the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) through the College of the Liberal Arts Semester in Washington Program.

Housed in the Department of Political Science, the Semester in Washington Program allows undergraduate students pursuing degrees offered by the college to spend a semester living and interning in Washington, where they gain professional experience, complete academic coursework and build connections with alumni and professionals across governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Gilchriest said she was drawn to the program by the opportunity to further her career while living and learning in Washington. AAM’s nonpartisan approach to public policy also appealed to her as she considered how she could explore issues that had already sparked her interest.

“I was in awe at the possibility of living and learning in our nation’s capital,” Gilchriest said. “The saliency of tariffs, imports, domestic manufacturing and national security inspired me to pursue opportunities that would immerse me in a field that I had already been curious about.”

At AAM, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded by the United Steelworkers and U.S. manufacturers, Gilchriest gained experience with several aspects of the public policy process. She attended congressional hearings, tracked legislation, drafted state-of-play updates and collected infrastructure data.

Among her projects, Gilchriest developed a database on U.S. cement production capacity that brought together information about facilities, congressional districts, infrastructure investments and anticipated production capacity to support AAM’s advocacy efforts.

“Through this project, I learned how many communities depend on the many manufacturing sectors within the United States and why it is important to prioritize goods produced here,” Gilchriest said.

Following legislation and attending congressional hearings also brought concepts she had studied as a political science student to life.

“Seeing our lawmakers and stakeholders firsthand was inspiring and really shed light on the actual process that I’ve learned about in textbooks for so long now,” she said.

Gilchriest also attended the United Steelworkers Rapid Response Policy and Legislation Conference. The experience took on an unexpected personal significance when she connected with the district her grandfather had belonged to while working at an oil refinery in southeast Texas.

“Hearing from the people who build and run our country in so many ways that are not always apparent to the naked eye was so enriching,” Gilchriest said. “The United Steelworkers welcomed me into their community, and I am very grateful I got to learn from experts in this field.”

According to Gilchriest, the experience gave her a broader understanding of the different roles professionals can play in Washington and helped her begin thinking about where she might fit within that landscape after graduation.

“This experience let me get firsthand experience in Washington, D.C., and learn the many different ways I can contribute to this all-encompassing environment,” Gilchriest said. “From policy to legislation and advocacy, I’ve been able to witness behind the scenes of what it takes to be an effective change maker.”

Gilchriest’s internship also connected her with Penn State alumni working in public policy and government affairs. She was supervised by AAM Government Affairs Manager Collin DeBoef, a Penn State alumnus. AAM President Scott Paul, who earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign service and international politics from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1989, serves on the Department of Political Science Board of Visitors.

Gilchriest said DeBoef’s mentorship became one of the most meaningful parts of her internship.

“One thing that really stuck with me from Collin was his advice to not be scared to start,” Gilchriest said. “Letting perfectionism discourage my effort and simply beginning a project is something I struggle with, and hearing his confidence in me really encouraged me to take up space as I move into new work environments.”

Gilchriest also had opportunities to talk with Paul about her plans after graduation and observe his approach to leading AAM.

“Leading with kindness and calmness is something I learned from him through his interactions with coworkers and how he approached every day in the office,” she said.

The internship gave Gilchriest an opportunity to draw on the foundation she has built through her political science coursework at Penn State. She pointed to courses with David Bracken, assistant teaching professor of political science, on public option, elections and campaigns as particularly relevant and said her broader political science coursework helped prepare her to understand the institutions and issues she encountered in Washington.

“I am excited to experience my classes in the fall through a new lens of real-world understanding,” Gilchriest said. “I am positive that my political science, women’s studies and capstone classes will all be that much more enriching and worthwhile with this wonderful, tangible experience to apply my education to.”

Beyond her political science major, Gilchriest has pursued minors in American Sign Language and sustainability leadership. Her studies have allowed her to explore interests in accessibility, environmental stewardship and advocacy from different perspectives.

“I believe political science pairs so well with advocacy, and that has always been my dream,” Gilchriest said. “My professors, classmates and these experiences have broadened my horizons and continue to propel me forward on the path toward justice.”

Gilchriest received enrichment funding through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network to help support her experience in Washington.

“My family could not financially support me on this endeavor, and it would’ve been up to me to cover rent and groceries on top of Metro fare and any personal expenses,” she said. “Because of the security provided to me by the enrichment funding, I was able to not only live but enjoy all that was around me.”

Support from the Semester in Washington Program extended beyond funding. Katie Wysocki, director of the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, helped prepare students as they applied for internships, while Marie Hojnacki, associate professor of political science and director of the Semester in Washington Program, and Molly Inman, coordinator of the Semester in Washington Program and assistant teaching professor of political science, supported the cohort throughout the summer.

Gilchriest also developed a close relationship with her program mentor and 2024 Penn State alumna, Nora O’Toole, and said her roommates and fellow cohort members provided a sense of community as they navigated a new city together. Organized activities included a Potomac River dinner cruise, a Washington Nationals game, a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon and a tour of Georgetown's law school.

Outside of work, Gilchriest made a point of experiencing what it was like to live in Washington rather than simply visit, exploring museums, monuments and other destinations throughout the city.

“Instead of squeezing as much as I could into a day trip, I felt like I really had the opportunity to slow down and notice what was around me,” Gilchriest said.

As she prepares to graduate in December, Gilchriest said she is considering several paths that would allow her to continue building on her interests in advocacy and public service. She is currently going through the Peace Corps application process for a potential two-year position teaching high school English in Malawi while also exploring opportunities with nonprofit and advocacy organizations in Washington. Her longer-term goal is to attend law school.

“For now, I am gaining experience and soaking up all that is around me,” Gilchriest said. “No matter where I end up, I feel well prepared and excited for the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Applications are now open for the summer 2027 Liberal Arts Semester in Washington Program. Interested students can learn more and apply through the program website by Friday, Oct. 2.

This is the third in a series of stories featuring students participating in the inaugural Liberal Arts Semester in Washington Program.