Washington D.c. Archives - 91�� News

Capital lessons: Inside the 91�� Washington Semester

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

For many college students, the idea of moving to a new city, starting a demanding internship, and living independently for the first time is as equally thrilling as it is terrifying. That is exactly the territory that the 91�� Washington Semester is designed for.

The 91�� Washington Semester places students in Washington D.C. for a full semester that blends three things that are not often combined so intentionally: a full-time internship, academic coursework, and community life with a cohort of peers. The result is less of a study-abroad-style detour and more of a trial run at adult professional life with built-in support. Internship placements match each student’s academic background and career interests, rather than being assigned off the shelf.

Summer 2026 91�� Washington Semester students took three interactive classes that took them all over the city—as well as deep within themselves: La Lucha Latina, their internships, and a career exploration course. This cohort was “extremely thoughtful and kind in their approach to their studies, their work, and each other,” according to Associate Director Ann Butwell. “They created quite an impact and left a positive impression on everyone they encountered.”

While the coursework is a crucial half of the program, it is not the full story. The other half is everything else that happens while in D.C.: learning a new metro system, figuring out how to dress for an office where nobody tells you the dress code, and building a professional network without the built-in scaffolding of a campus.

It can be uncomfortable. It’s also, by most accounts, where the real transformation happens. Students who arrive unsure of themselves tend to leave with a sharper sense of who they are and where they’re headed—not because someone told them, but because they had to find out on their own.

None of it happens in isolation. Students in the program live alongside a cohort of peers who are working through the same disorientation—new city, new job, new independence—at the same time. Those shared dinners and post-work debriefs turn into something more durable: a network of people scattered across fields and, eventually, across the country, who remember exactly what it was like to start out together.

This summer’s group is a reminder of just how broad that range can be. Eight students from three different schools completed the program, representing eight fields of study: nursing, engineering, accounting, digital media, political science and history, biochemistry, computer science, and marketing. A future nurse and a future software engineer, sharing a house and comparing notes on their internships, is exactly the kind of unlikely overlap the program is built to create.

By the end of a term in D.C., most students have more than a completed internship to show for it. They have a stronger read on the kind of work they want to do, a set of practical skills that a classroom alone can’t teach, and a group of people who knew them before any of it was certain.

The 91�� Washington Semester was never really about one city or one internship. It’s about giving students a running start—and letting them figure out, on their own terms, what they’re capable of.

Read on to learn more about the internship experiences of our Summer 2026 students.

Barry Muluneh, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is an engineering major. This summer, Barry was an intern at working with their clinical engineering department. Some of Barry’s main duties at his internship were shadowing clinical technicians, inspecting equipment, and maintaining and fixing critical hospital devices. During his time in D.C., Barry’s main focus was on developing strong professional connections and building the practical skills needed to become a great engineer. Instead of strictly relying on classroom theories, Barry learned to adapt through hands-on troubleshooting and navigating informal workplace interactions. One of the biggest highlights of Barry’s time in D.C. was the dedicated mentorship from his supervisors, through which he enjoyed learning complex engineering processes, and he has truly cherished bonding over house meals and watching the awe-inspiring July Fourth fireworks on the National Mall.

Senper Teferi, from Goshen, Indiana, is a nursing major. This summer, Senper was an intern at working with their patient experience department. Some of Senper’s main duties at her internship were serving as an emergency department liaison, conducting patient comfort rounds, restocking unit supplies, and supporting nursing staff with non-clinical duties. During her time in D.C., Senper’s main focus was on becoming comfortable in emergency healthcare environments while learning to thrive in a new city. Instead of staying isolated in a massive hospital setting, Senper learned the value of seeking out positive working relationships with supportive colleagues. One of the biggest highlights of Senper’s time at the 91�� Washington Semester was making meaningful connections with diverse patient populations, through which she enjoyed applying her nursing coursework, and she has loved immersing herself in the city by visiting museums, attending an Ethiopian church, and going salsa dancing.

Kai Johnson, from Gainesville, Virginia, is a marketing major. This summer, Kai was an intern at working with their marketing and youth programs department. Some of Kai’s main duties at his internship were helping run daily soccer camps and creating digital promotional graphics on Canva. During his time in D.C., Kai’s main focus was on gaining new perspectives for his future career and building lasting professional connections. Instead of a rigid corporate environment, Kai learned that professional settings can still be fun, lighthearted, and playful. One of the biggest highlights of Kai’s internship has been spending direct time with the kids at soccer camp, through which he enjoys making them happy, and he has thoroughly enjoyed biking everywhere around D.C. as a fun way to stay active.

Donovan Arnason, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a digital media, photography, and design major. This summer, Donovan was an intern at working with their video production and instruction department. Some of Donovan’s main duties at his internship were editing full graduation ceremonies and podcast episodes, managing production gear, and teaching digital media skills to youth in the Summer Youth Employment Program. During his time in D.C., Donovan’s main focus was on gaining the insights needed to run a digital media business while enhancing his technical skill set. Instead of stressing about not knowing enough, Donovan learned that his campus training fully prepared him for industry demands. One of the biggest highlights of Donovan’s time in D.C. was earning real industry credits as an actor and location manager, through which he enjoyed mastering full production workflows, and he has really valued expanding his culinary horizons by learning to cook brand-new recipes during shared house dinners.

Treshawn Oliver, from Burkeville, Virginia, is an accounting major. This summer, Treshawn was an intern at working with their finance department. Some of Treshawn’s main duties at his internship were processing accounts payable, depositing checks, managing invoices, entering journal entries, and tracking cash position charts. During his time in D.C., Treshawn’s main focus was on gaining hands-on guidance for his future career and discovering more about himself. Instead of being micromanaged, Treshawn learned to take full ownership of his daily schedule and build time-management skills across city transit. One of the biggest highlights of Treshawn’s internship was working closely alongside experienced financial professionals who have walked his path, through which he enjoys gaining real-world industry knowledge, and he has had a blast exploring the capital and bonding with housemates on their retreat to West Virginia.

Quinn Larsen, from La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a biochemistry major with a minor in Spanish. This summer, Quinn was a summer fellow at working with its climate advocacy and community outreach department. Some of Quinn’s main duties at their internship included writing fact sheets on AI data centers, lobbying congressional offices, teaching creation care at youth camps, and translating appliance resources from English to Spanish. During their time in D.C., Quinn’s main focus was on exploring big city life, building life skills in community living, and understanding Latino immigrant experiences. Instead of fearing complex advocacy work, Quinn learned to embrace clear communication and adapt quickly to shifting daily agendas. One of the biggest highlights of Quinn’s internship was leading a congressional lobbying meeting with the Jewish Earth Alliance, through which they enjoyed advocating for environmental policies, and they had an incredible time going on a late-night, stay-up-all-night road trip to New York City with housemates.

Chloe Knight, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a history and social science major with minors in pre-law and political science. This summer, Chloe was an intern at working with their curations and archives department. Some of Chloe’s main duties at her internship were cataloging, digitizing, and archiving historic aircraft parts, documents, and photographs, maintaining aircraft and exhibits, and conducting research on historic figures at College Park Airport. During her time in D.C., Chloe’s main focus was on finding motivation for her career path and embracing the monumental opportunities of city life. Instead of being overwhelmed, Chloe learned to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and empowering professional setting. One of the biggest highlights of Chloe’s time at the Washington Semester was working directly with vintage airplanes, radios, and aircraft parts, through which she enjoyed applying her history passion, and she loved the freedom of riding the Metro to effortlessly explore every corner of the city.

Students interested in spending a semester in the nation’s capital should go here for more information or to apply today! Be sure to also check out the 91�� Washington Semester account to see what our students are up to.

Where every major meets opportunity: Inside the 91�� Washington Semester

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:40:20 +0000

The 91�� Washington Semester is a transformative academic experience that places students at the center of one of the most influential cities in the world: Washington D.C. Designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, the program offers a unique opportunity for students to live, study, and work in a dynamic urban environment. Students build confidence, independence, and a clearer sense of direction for life after graduation.

The 91�� Washington Semester combines a full-time internship with academic coursework. Students are placed in internships across a wide range of fields, including government, nonprofit organizations, communications, business, and advocacy. These placements are tailored to each student’s interests and career goals, ensuring that every student gains meaningful, hands-on experience. No matter where they end up working, students develop practical skills that set them apart in a competitive job market.

One of the most impactful aspects of the 91�� Washington Semester is the personal growth it fosters. Living in a new city, navigating professional environments, and building a network from the ground up pushes students out of their comfort zones. For many students, this experience opens doors they may not have previously imagined.

Students live alongside peers who are also pursuing internships, creating a supportive environment where they can share experiences, challenges, and successes. These connections often last well beyond the semester, forming a network of driven individuals across diverse fields.

The 91�� Washington Semester is more than just a study away program; it is a launching pad for future careers. By combining academic learning with professional immersion in the nation’s capital, it equips students with the knowledge, experience, and confidence needed to thrive in their chosen paths.

The Washington Semester is intentionally interdisciplinary, welcoming students from a wide range of majors, and the spring 2026 semester is no exception. Spring 2026 participants span the breadth of majors at 91��, pursuing studies in political science, public health, engineering, and recreation and sport management.

91�� Washington Semester Director Ryan Good noted: “Disciplinary diversity is a hallmark of the 91�� Washington Semester and distinguishes us from other D.C.-based study away programs. Over the past two years, 91�� Washington Semester students have pursued 31 different majors, hailed from six colleges and universities, and worked at over 40 internship sites around the D.C. region.”

This diversity shapes both internships and classroom learning. Students pursue opportunities aligned with their fields and learn alongside peers with different perspectives, creating a richer, more dynamic experience.

By embracing a wide scope of majors, the 91�� Washington Semester ensures that students from all disciplines can gain valuable professional experience while exploring how their field connects to broader societal challenges.

Read on to learn more about the internship experiences of our spring 2026 students.

Leah Cap, from Spotsylvania, Virginia, is a senior majoring in political science. This spring, Leah is an intern at , a D.C.-based nonprofit that supports incarcerated and returning citizens with holistic reentry services. Her main tasks include helping clients find shelters and other programs, scheduling appointments, distributing food to people experiencing homelessness, and making phone calls.

Through her internship, Leah has gained a broader perspective on how systems work and a behind-the-scenes look at how to support at-risk clients. The highlight of her internship experience has been seeing clients come in down on their luck and later seeing them return happier and healthier.

Edwin Rios Sanchez, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a senior majoring in recreation and sport management, with minors in business administration and coaching. This spring, Edwin is working as an equipment manager for and football clubs. His main duties include preparing equipment for coaches, attending trainings, and setting up for games, including steaming players’ jerseys and ensuring they have their game-day gear.

One highlight of Edwin’s internship experience was traveling to Florida for a weeklong away trip with DC Power. During his time in D.C., Edwin has learned to feel more comfortable in a new environment.

Fortie Chipeta, from Mount Jackson, Virginia, is a junior majoring in public health with a minor in environmental science. This spring, Fortie is an intern at , working with its housing and homelessness prevention department. Her main duties include researching local resources and writing helpful tips for a weekly newsletter, handling medical records by scanning and uploading patient documents into eClinicalWorks (eCW), and answering calls and assisting with the patient intake process.

During her time in D.C., Fortie has focused on growing from her experiences rather than striving for perfection. Instead of stressing, she is learning to focus on how to fix problems and do things the right way the next time. One of the biggest highlights of her internship has been taking ownership of the weekly newsletter. She enjoys researching resources for residents and takes pride in ensuring each issue is finalized and sent out on time every Wednesday.

Alexandre (Zander) Armstrong, from Waynesboro, Virginia, is a senior majoring in engineering. This spring, Zander is interning with the Clinical Engineering Department at .

One of the highlights of his internship has been getting a behind-the-scenes look at a hospital and learning how it operates. Life in the city has been challenging at times, but it has also given Zander the opportunity to navigate public transportation.

In addition to the four Washington Semester students, the Nelson Good House is home to two other students who have been important members of the community this semester.

Morgan Hutchens, a Goshen College senior, is majoring in Deaf Studies, the study of the origins of American Sign Language, Deaf community, and Deaf culture. The goal of the program is to promote awareness, social justice, and accessibility. As part of her program, Morgan is attending Gallaudet University for one semester. Gallaudet University is the only Deaf university in the world and also offers programs for hearing students.

Morgan describes living in the Nelson House as an amazing experience because it has given her the opportunity to build strong connections with others. One of her favorite things to do with her housemates is cook together, which brings her joy through good food and meaningful conversation. Morgan describes her time in D.C. as both challenging and exhilarating. Attending Gallaudet University has been a lifelong dream, and the experience has been eye-opening and deeply meaningful.

Leslie Meja is a graduate student at 91��’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP). He is completing his CJP practicum at the Kenyan Embassy in D.C. The inclusion of graduate students in the Washington Semester community enriches the experience for everyone and creates additional opportunities for learning and exchange.

Students interested in spending a semester in the nation’s capital should visit for more information or to apply. Be sure to also check out the 91�� Washington Semester to see what our students are up to.

‘A living, evolving experiment in education’: D.C. program turns 50

Ryan Cornell — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:12:22 +0000

Alumni reunite to share memories, stories from their time in the program

The 91�� Washington Semester program started off in the fall of 1976 as a “high-risk proposition,” recalls Phil Baker-Shenk ’79.

“It was a high risk for the college, a high risk for us individual students, and certainly a high risk for (program founder and director) Nelson Good ’68 and Arden Shank, who staffed it,” said Baker-Shenk, one of the first students in the yearlong program (then known as the Washington Study-Service Year or WSSY) from 1976-77. “It was a high risk all around, and yet people with good ideas decided to plunge in, take that risk, and make it happen.”

Fifty years later, that big gamble has paid off.

Alumni of the urban studies program—the only such program offered at Anabaptist-affiliated institutions—credit it with giving them improved professional confidence, greater clarity about career direction, more comfort in working with people different than they are, and an increased awareness of systemic injustices.

Each semester and summer, students from 91�� and partner schools such as Bethel College, Bluffton University, and Goshen College converge at the Nelson Good House in the culturally diverse and multiethnic Brookland neighborhood of Washington D.C. It’s there that they learn to live in a shared community, cooking and eating meals together, managing a collective budget and household responsibilities, and navigating conflict with maturity.

Students gain real-world professional experience in their chosen field of study through internship placements, study the history and social dynamics of the city, and immerse themselves in the rich culture and vibrancy of the nation’s capital.

Baker-Shenk was among the 60 alumni and supporters of the 91�� Washington Semester, from its beginnings in the 1970s through today, who gathered at the Busboys and Poets restaurant in Brookland on Saturday, Feb. 14, to share their memories and experiences from their time in the program and celebrate its 50-year legacy. The milestone reunion included remarks from Program Director Ryan Good, 91�� Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham, and many students and alumni from the past five decades.

91�� Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus delivers remarks at Busboys and Poets in Brookland, Washington D.C., on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Since its inception, more than 1,000 students have called the program home for a season of their lives, said Dycus. They’ve taken courses at and built relationships with institutions such as Catholic University of America and Howard University. And students have learned to live with difference, practice shared leadership, and carry conviction into real work.

“We’re celebrating a living, evolving experiment in education,” Dycus told the crowd. “One that has asked generations of students to take learning seriously enough to put it to work. Since 1976, this program has woven together community living, academic study, and vocational reflection right in the complexity of our nation’s capital.”

As the story’s been told, shared Dycus, Nelson Good came to D.C. as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War era. “And, out of that experience, he helped build a program committed to servant leadership and social justice, and an education shaped by peace, responsibility, and courage to see the city as it is.”

Nelson Good directed the program until his retirement in 1987, mentoring it through major transitions. When the time came to find a new home closer to public transportation and academic partners, he personally helped find and secure the building at 836 Taylor Street that became the Nelson Good House.

“He did that work even while facing a cancer diagnosis and died a few months before the facility’s dedication (on Aug. 20, 2005),” Dycus said.

Alumni of the 91�� Washington Semester gather to celebrate the program’s 50-year legacy.

The 91�� Washington Semester offers a built-in social and professional network for its alumni, many of whom find long-term careers in D.C., thanks to the web of connections and relationships they build through the program.

Aerlande Wontamo ’06 was among the first cohort of 15 students to live at the Nelson Good House during the spring of 2006. She interned at the Ethiopian Community Development Council while taking classes at Howard University.

“It was such a meaningful experience for me because I got on (Howard’s) campus and I looked like everybody else,” said Wontamo, who is originally from Ethiopia. “There was another person in our group, I think from Goshen, who was also at Howard, and she was white. We would go to school, and that was the first time she felt like a minority. It was this wonderful experience for both of us.”

Like many alumni of the 91�� Washington Semester (it was known as the Washington Community Scholars’ Center or WCSC after 2002), Wontamo stayed in the city. Twenty years later, the economic development grad is still working in the refugee and immigrant services field as senior vice president of U.S. programs for World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization.

“It was my internship that was such a meaningful experience for me and led me through all of the steps to get to where I am,” she said. “So, I’m a huge fan of the program.”

Ryan Good, director of the 91�� Washington Semester, and senior Genesis Figueroa, who was in the program last spring, talk about the impact of the program.

Anisa Leonard ’21, a social work grad originally from Kenya, interned at Voices for a Second Chance, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals returning home from incarceration, during her spring 2021 semester in the program.

“The WCSC program was absolutely foundational in getting me to where I am now,” said the social worker. “It sparked my interest in working with people who are marginalized in so many ways, especially in a city so impacted by race and gentrification.”

Genesis Figueroa joined Ryan Good on stage for a conversation, reflecting on her experiences in the program during spring 2025. The 91�� senior, who is double majoring in political science and Spanish, interned at Catholic Charities in its immigration legal services department, where she provided translation, interpretation, and administrative work. She said she hopes to become an immigration lawyer.

“It definitely solidified what I want to do after college and what type of work I want to do,” she said. “It solidified my passion for it.”

Another 91�� senior, Dia Mekonnen, remembered living at the Nelson Good House with 13 other students during summer 2025. “It was really packed,” she said. “But it was really nice to connect with them. It was nice to cook together, to be able to share our perspectives, and we still hang out.”

Saturday morning’s celebration was attended by alumni from each of the past five decades, former directors, and staff members.

Baker-Shenk credited Nelson Good, along with many other heroes, with the courage and vision to implement and sustain the idea of the D.C. program over the years.

“One of the many things he taught me, and it was a little hard for me to take back in the ’70s, was that institutions deserve our love and our commitment and our care,” he said. “Fifty years later, here’s an institution that has carried each of us in this room in one way or another, and it happened because it was nourished and encouraged.”

Hear what others had to say
At the same time, said Dawn Longenecker ’80, who was in the second cohort of the D.C. program (1977-78), Nelson Good also taught students to challenge institutions. “I think he created WSSY as an alternative to the institution that we were all a part of at 91��,” she said. “It was an alternative place where you could come to the city and really struggle with the systemic forces that were out here, that are still out here, that are wreaking havoc.”
Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham called the D.C. program a distinctive of the 91�� experience: “We’ve been able to partner with other universities because so many have moved away from doing this work in the city. But yet, we continue to do the work. We continue to support students. And we continue to place our students in organizations that are changing the landscape of not just D.C., but also the world.”
Since 2018, Bianca Ward, who has primarily worked in public health and HIV outreach, has met with students in the program to speak about her vocational journey and hear about their experiences, hopes, and dreams. “We talk about self-care, social justice, and all of these things, and every time I leave, I am inspired by what’s happening in that space,” she said.
Others attending the reunion included Professor Emerita Dr. Kimberly Schmidt, who directed the program for 22 years; former assistant director Doug Hertzler ’88; and former staff member Cynthia Lapp ’86.

Kirk Shisler ’81, vice president for advancement, speaks to the importance of supporting the 91�� Washington Semester.

Kirk Shisler ’81, vice president for advancement, is a proud member of the third cohort of students in the program (1978-79). He told guests there were many ways to support the program. One such opportunity is through the Dr. Kimberly Schmidt Endowed Scholarship, which was dedicated during the program’s on-campus reunion at Homecoming 2025.

“Financial aid is such a critical part of the story for every student, and it’s an obstacle,” he said. “It’s an obstacle to participation in this program and others. And so what we can do to mitigate that through donor-funded aid is an opportunity we want to focus on.”

Learn more about the 91�� Washington Semester at .

Read more:

Sept. 2025: Rebranded 91�� Washington Semester celebrates 50 years of career-building and community
Nov. 2016: Forty years of service and learning celebrated at WCSC’s Nelson Good House
Aug. 2015: Washington Community Scholars’ Center celebrates 10 years at the Nelson Good House in Brookland
March 2014: The history of the Washington Community Scholars’ Center

D.C. program renames scholarship after longtime director

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:52:33 +0000

91�� Washington Semester celebrates 50 years with scholarship honoring Dr. Kimberly Schmidt

On Oct. 11, during a homecoming celebration, the 91�� Washington Semester program (formerly known as WCSC/WSSY) commemorated its 50th year with a special event held at the campus Student Union. The milestone gathering brought together students, alumni, faculty, and staff to celebrate five decades of experiential learning and community engagement in Washington D.C.

A highlight of the event was the renaming of the Washington Semester’s endowed scholarship in honor of Professor Emerita Kimberly Schmidt, who served as director of the program for 22 years. Dr. Schmidt was recognized for her outstanding leadership, innovative teaching, and commitment to student development throughout her tenure. The scholarship, now named the Dr. Kimberly Schmidt Endowed Scholarship, helps make it possible for all 91�� students to access the opportunities available through the Washington Semester.

In presenting this honor, current Washington Semester Director Ryan Good noted Schmidt’s leadership in shepherding the program from a nine-month model to three terms per year to better accommodate shifting student needs and her critical role in moving the program to a new facility in 2005. “Over 22 years, Kim worked tirelessly to find internships for hundreds of students who came through the program during her tenure,” Good said. “She is a wise and authentic mentor, who gave generously of herself to support students as they worked to make sense of the city and themselves.”

“I am humbled and honored to have this important scholarship named for me,” said Schmidt. “This scholarship reflects 91��’s values and highest aspirations for its students. Expanding the Washington Semester’s vision of life-transforming, career-launching internships, community life, urban exploration, reflection, and analysis to first-generation college students is an appropriate expression of 91��’s emphasis on leadership and service.”

Washington Semester Director Ryan Good honors Professor Emerita Kimberly Schmidt, who served as director of the program for 22 years, during a milestone gathering on Oct. 11.

Schmidt also reflected on the changes she witnessed in the program over the years. “Almost 30 years ago, when I first started working for 91��, many of the students in the Washington Semester were born into Mennonite families, reflecting the general student body at 91��,” she said. “During my time, I saw significant shifts in student demographics. We went from being a predominantly white Mennonite program to one of true diversity and inclusion—not only in our subject matter and internship placements, but also in our student population.”

By the early 2010s, many Washington Semester students were students of color, including immigrants from Africa and Latin America. “They made a deep impression on me as they explored the legacies and realities of oppression in U.S. history and current culture and made connections to their own life experiences,” Schmidt added.

The endowed scholarship was first established 10 years ago to celebrate the program’s 40th anniversary and to promote inclusion and diversity. “Rising tuition costs made it clear that financial assistance was becoming ever more critical,” Schmidt explained. “The scholarship has grown from supporting one or two students annually to five or six. We hope to continue expanding it to reach more students and offer additional assistance and career-launching opportunities.”

As it has for 50 years, the Washington Semester supports 91��’s ongoing commitment to transformative education, leadership, and service—values that continue to guide the program’s mission in preparing students for meaningful engagement in their communities and professions.

For more information about the 91�� Washington Semester, visit .

Longstanding D.C. program rebrands as ‘91�� Washington Semester’

91�� Communications — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 15:40:39 +0000

As it enters its 50th year, 91��’s internship and urban studies program in Washington, D.C. is adopting a new name: the 91�� Washington Semester. This strategic rebranding more clearly articulates the program’s identity, strengthens its brand alignment with 91��’s distinctive educational philosophy, and reflects its integral role in the university’s “Reimagining 91��” initiative.

“This renaming is more than a cosmetic change; it’s a strategic move that enhances clarity and reinforces the direct connection between this transformative experience and 91��’s mission,” said Provost Tynisha Willingham. “The 91�� Washington Semester is a vital extension of our campus, embodying our commitment to preparing students for purposeful lives through experiential learning, critical thinking, and ethical leadership. This new name clearly signals that this immersive experience is unequivocally 91��.”

The rebranding follows two years of work by 91�� Washington Semester staff, engaging campus faculty and staff stakeholders, program alums, and current students. The new name aims to support effective marketing by communicating more transparently that the program is a credit-earning academic term run by a university. It additionally aligns with common naming conventions used by other universities’ D.C.-based programs, making it more recognizable within the region.

Launched in 1976, the program originally operated as the Washington Study Service Year (WSSY) until 2002, when it was renamed the Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC) as part of a shift from a year-long format to three shorter terms per year

For the past 50 years, the program has been a cornerstone of experiential learning, offering students opportunities to live, learn, and intern in the nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. serves as a dynamic living laboratory where students engage with policy, advocacy, community development, and justice initiatives, directly applying classroom theory to real-world challenges.

Open to students from 91�� and colleges and universities around the world, the 91�� Washington Semester offers a full-semester or 10-week summer experience that combines internships, urban studies coursework, career development, and community living in the Nelson Good House in the heart of Washington, D.C.

The 91�� Washington Semester will continue to provide a unique educational experience, empowering students to engage with complex societal issues, develop professional competencies, and cultivate a deeper understanding of their role in contributing to a more just world.

For more information about the program, visit or follow the experiences of current students at .

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Capital lessons: Inside the 91���� Washington Semester