Da'Mya Walker, a political science major at East Texas A&M University, is spending the semester in Washington, D.C., gaining real-world experience in public policy and law through the Public Policy Scholars Program.

Walker, who will graduate in May and has aspirations of going to law school, is the first East Texas A&M student selected for the competitive, systemwide program. The Public Policy Scholars Program allows undergraduate students from across the Texas A&M University System to live and study in Washington, D.C., while completing a professional internship and earning academic credit through coursework taught by faculty from the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

As part of the program, Walker is interning with Volunteer Legal Advocates, a nonprofit organization that provides free legal representation to vulnerable children, individuals facing immigration and family law challenges, and survivors of domestic violence. The organization relies on a small professional staff supported by a network of volunteer attorneys, offering Walker an up-close look at how legal advocacy works in practice.

“I feel like working alongside attorneys and law students has helped me better understand what areas of law I might want to pursue,” Walker said. “This program really emphasizes networking and exposure, and that's been huge for me.”

Walker credits East Texas A&M's Office of Student Career Preparedness with helping her take the first steps toward the opportunity. The office assists students with career exploration, internship searches, resume and interview preparation, and connections to experiential learning opportunities that align with their academic and professional goals.

Programs like the Public Policy Scholars Program highlight the range of pathways available to political science students beyond the classroom, from law and advocacy to government and public service.

“Public Policy Scholars Program is a game-changer for our students,” said Arthur Lumzy, executive director of Student Career Preparedness. “An internship in D.C. paired with rigorous coursework that builds real policy and leadership skills is invaluable.”

The application deadline for the Public Policy Scholars Program for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 is March 16. Political science students interested in policy, law or government careers are encouraged to explore the opportunity and connect with the Office of Student Career Preparedness to begin the application process.