The nation’s capital is abuzz each summer as the next wave of leaders immerse themselves in all it has to offer.

While many universities carry their own programs for undergraduate class credit, networking, internships and more, Miami University has carried the torch for 28 years and counting with Inside Washington. The program, open to all majors, is led by Department of Political Science chair Bryan Marshall and associate teaching professor Matt Arbuckle.

This summer’s cohort began with a jam-packed itinerary of cultural, historical and professional site visits. It included an alumni reception at the renowned Hawk-N-Dove, visits at multiple law firms and institutes, Rep. Greg Landsman’s office, and more. 

 The program is also known for its incredible internship placement in the area. In addition to two senators and representatives apiece, Miami students in the program this summer worked for iHeart Media, the D.C. Republican Party, American Legion, Miami’s Office of ASPIRE and more.

 “The biggest thing I personally got out of Inside Washington, that I wouldn’t have had on an internship alone, was meeting all the amazing Miami alumni who have awesome jobs, came and spoke with us and opened their office to a level most don’t get to see,” said Ryan Rodeman, junior Political Science and Economics double major.  

Supporting the Inside Washington program

Longtime Miami supporters Jeff ’76 and Phyllis Karmol are helping sustain Inside Washington and the opportunities it provides students through a generous commitment to the program. 

The Karmol Family Fund, established earlier this year, will help Miami continue connecting students with the professional experiences, alumni relationships and firsthand exposure to Washington that have distinguished the program for nearly three decades.

"We want to thank Jeff and Phyllis Karmol for their support of Miami students participating in the Inside Washington program,” Marshall said. “Their generous gift will help ensure the long-term success of Inside Washington, expand participation pathways to more students, and strengthen the program's legacy of delivering transformative career experiences to Miami students." 

More from the student experience

Bridget McDaniel, a senior, says she came to Miami as a Chemistry major before switching to Political Science after the fall of her sophomore year, noting law school as an eventual goal. Her internship was with American Legion.

She credited Marshall with the initial encouragement to apply, which led to a successful interview with Arbuckle. 

“A lot of it is bill review,” she said about her internship. “I’m in the national security division, so right now we’re reviewing the National Defense Authorization Act. We also keep an updated tracker of the amount of National Guard deployed and where to, which is something they’ll send out to members of the American Legion. We also write briefs about current events in different regions of the world.”

Away from the office, students get to live in secure, all-intern apartments in the heart of Washington. 

“I participated in Miami’s Inside Washington program, and it was one of the most influential experiences that I have had throughout my academic career,” said Siena Pack ’25, who interned within the United States’ House of Representatives and is now a J.D. candidate at Saint Louis University. “It helped to elevate my level of professionalism and work ethic, along with being very inspired by the different speakers that came and talked to our group.”

Take a look at the Inside Washington experience of junior Sidney Zawila (below), Political Science and Social Justice double major. An Honors College member, Zawila is chief of staff of state relations in Miami's Office of ASPIRE.

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For more information about the Inside Washington program visit the Department of Political Science website.