In 2012, Political Science Professors Sahar Shafqat and Matt Fehrs recognized that St. Mary’s students were not getting the career preparation that would enable them to succeed in the competitive job market. By the same token, they recognized that St. Mary’s had an advantage that a majority of colleges in the United States do not—a close proximity to the nation’s capital. Along with these two realizations, came a window of opportunity. It was an opportunity to grant students valuable work experience in one of the most prestigious locations in the United States, Washington DC.
Thus, the St. Mary’s Washington Program was born.
By creating the Washington Program, St. Mary’s students would receive a one of a kind experience as Washington interns. They would experience the metropolis, learn about public policy and receive guidance from alumni working within the city’s public affairs field. Furthermore, students would become better equipped to succeed in the competitive job market post-graduation and in one summer they would evolve into young professionals.