D.C. Fellowship Award Recipients
Live, Learn, and Intern in D.C.
The D.C. Fellowship Program offers financial awards to students majoring in Communication or Political Science for summer internships in Washington, D.C. with the Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars Internship Program.
These prestigious fellowship awards are offered by the Brian Lamb School of Communication and the Department of Political Science.
2024 COMMUNICATION FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
William “Wil” Courtney from Carmel, Indiana is a junior majoring in Media & Mass Communications and Political Science. Wil is the Executive Chair of the CCSE Student Community, has worked as a Team Leader and Team Supervisor for BGR, a reporter for the Purdue Exponent, and is a Dean’s Ambassador for Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts. Wil enjoys to work on podcasts and has earned second and first place in the CCSE’s Podcasting Competition, as well as earning “Best Podcast” at the Lamb School’s Co-Curricular Golden Carpet Gala. Wil aspires to be a journalist and is looking forward to attending the upcoming Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars internship program.
2024 POLITICAL SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
Emily Widdis is a junior double-majoring in political science and communication with a focus on international relations, public relations & strategic communication, and business communication, with a minor in Law & Society and is pursuing a certificate in public policy. She was previously an executive board member of Alpha Chi Omega, serving as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Emily has interned for a national congressional campaign in 2020 and in 2023 she was appointed director of communication for a local city council campaign. She was invited to represent Purdue University at the 2023 Ohio State University National Security Simulation in which she engaged in diplomatic activities and international relations with the U.S. Department of State. In Spring 2024, Emily accepted a Congressional internship in Washington, D.C. for the summer semester.
2024 COMMUNICATION FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
Maura Struckhoff is from a small town right out of St. Louis, Missouri. She is a triple major in Political Science, Law and Society, and Communications with concentrations in American Politics and Political Communications. She is a Purdue Student Government senator and a CCSE Student Community member serving on the Guest Relations Committee. She also has multiple leadership roles in her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha. She is extremely passionate about her sorority philanthropy, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Education, and loves raising money for the great cause. She has also received multiple Political Science Scholarships. She is excited to attend the Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars Internship Program to learn and gain more experience regarding her interests in Communications and Political Science, while being able to give back and help America.
2024 POLITICAL SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
Lynlee Rice from West Lafayette, Indiana, is a junior majoring in political science and applied statistics. After a successful summer internship, she was named to a continuing position in Indiana State Party data organization for the fall municipal election cycle. On campus, Lynlee is a Senator in the Purdue Student Government representing the John Martinson Honors College, where she writes legislation to advocate for student concerns. Lynlee is also a mentor and team lead for undergraduate students as part of the Honors Mentor Program and serves as a research assistant in Purdue’s Computational Social Science Lab. Additionally, she is a dedicated member of the Purduettes vocal ensemble, where she leads a team as the Gold of Performance Preparation. Lynlee is thrilled to take part in the upcoming Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars Internship Program.