Bloomington, Indiana – Indiana University’s presence in Washington, D.C., has spanned nearly half a century, rooted in the university’s longstanding commitment to public policy and international affairs. This legacy now enters a new chapter with the opening of the IU Capital Campus, a permanent hub designed to support experiential learning, enhance student engagement, and expand IU’s influence in the nation’s capital.
For decades, multiple schools across IU have offered students the chance to earn course credit while interning with federal agencies, congressional offices, and nongovernmental organizations. These opportunities allow students to translate classroom theory into hands-on practice, developing the skills and insights necessary to navigate complex political and global landscapes.
The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs has been at the forefront of IU’s D.C. programs. Its Washington Leadership Program has connected undergraduates to the capital for over 40 years, placing students in internships that provide direct exposure to policy-making and governance. More recently, the O’Neill School launched the D.C. Accelerator Program for students pursuing its highly ranked Master of Public Affairs degree, further extending IU’s reach into the capital and fostering leadership among graduate students.
“Through the Washington Leadership Program, Collin Monesmith and Connor Elliott spent their last semester interning with members of Congress before graduating in December 2025,” said a university spokesperson. Monesmith, an Indianapolis native who attended IU Bloomington, chose O’Neill after a class ignited his interest in federal government, national defense, and international relations. His internship with U.S. Senator Todd Young involved assisting constituents, supporting office staff, and conducting research on emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and autonomous research laboratories. These areas were central to the senator’s Cloud LAB Act of 2025, which seeks to establish a national network of biotechnology research labs.
“You learn about the federal government process in class, but through the internship, I get to be a part of it,” Monesmith said.
Connor Elliott, who grew up in Shelbyville, Indiana, cited personal experiences during the Great Recession as his inspiration to serve others. Elliott attended IU Indianapolis, drawn by the city’s role as “Indiana’s epicenter of public policy.” His path included work for local campaigns and serving as a national delegate for Indiana at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. In D.C., he interned with U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar of California’s 33rd District.
“The Washington Leadership Program was the perfect fit for my passion and ambition,” Elliott said. He credited the O’Neill School for helping him “grow confidently and acquiring the tools needed” to excel in his role as field director for the Indiana House Democratic Caucus.
Other IU students have leveraged the Washington programs to pursue careers in public finance and global development. Undergraduate Bailey Rubinstein and graduate student Jayvee Del Rosario focused their efforts on nongovernmental organizations, gaining critical experience in policy and finance. Rubinstein interned with the Child Welfare League of America, updating legislative agendas and attending congressional hearings. She emphasized the value of IU’s extensive alumni network in D.C., calling it “the best opportunity in the world to meet and talk to people while setting yourself up for a great career.”
Del Rosario, who previously had a successful banking career in the Philippines, sought to use his financial expertise to “empower people in the margins, especially in the Global South.” Through the D.C. Accelerator Program, he joined the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative. As an implementation guidance intern, he helped roll out Principles for Responsible Banking to over 350 member banks worldwide and assisted with the launch of the Healthy and Inclusive Economies Community of Practice, which brings together 65 banks and experts to build resilient and equitable financial systems.
“Navigating a career change, and doing so in a new country, can be a challenge, but O’Neill helps steady the process,” Del Rosario said. “Being in D.C. pushed me beyond my comfort zone, but there are supportive staff, faculty and alumni who help you thrive.”
Historically, IU’s programs in Washington faced logistical hurdles. Students often had to commute from internships to temporary classrooms across the city, a process that was time-consuming and fragmented. “On Monday nights, everyone had to flock from their workplace to the classroom building then travel back to our apartments afterwards,” Rubinstein recalled.
The new Capital Campus, located in Dupont Circle, addresses these challenges with dedicated classrooms, conference spaces, event venues, and on-site student housing with residential services. By centralizing facilities, the campus reduces commuting burdens and fosters a stronger sense of community among students across IU’s programs in public policy, international affairs, and global business.
The Capital Campus is more than a physical location; it represents an expansion of IU’s educational vision. Programs that previously lacked the space to host events, enrich curricula, or develop new initiatives now have a dedicated venue. Students across undergraduate and graduate levels will benefit from integrated learning experiences, mentorship opportunities, and networking with professional and alumni partners.
The College of Arts and Sciences also participates in D.C. programs through initiatives such as the Internship in Politics, Opportunity, Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship program, which sends students from a range of academic disciplines into real-world placements. Meanwhile, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Affairs launched the D.C. Global Policy Program, offering undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students immersive experiences in international affairs, global business, and diplomacy.
By uniting these programs under the Capital Campus, IU strengthens its ability to prepare students for leadership roles in public service, policy, and global affairs. The centralized hub allows for interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and greater continuity between academic study and professional practice.
Faculty leadership will play a critical role in guiding student experiences, with full-time IU instructors and visiting faculty providing mentorship and oversight. The campus will host seminars, workshops, and networking events designed to connect students with policymakers, NGO leaders, and international diplomats. These opportunities enhance IU’s commitment to producing graduates who are both theoretically informed and practically experienced.
For students like Monesmith, Elliott, Rubinstein, and Del Rosario, the Capital Campus represents the culmination of years of preparation and mentorship. It provides a permanent, tangible presence in the nation’s capital where IU students can immerse themselves in policymaking, international relations, and public service while gaining invaluable professional experience.
“The IU Capital Campus ensures that our students will continue to thrive in D.C. for decades to come,” said a university representative. “It anchors a long history of academic leadership while opening doors for future generations to contribute meaningfully to communities both here in the United States and abroad.”
By combining permanent facilities with a robust network of faculty, alumni, and professional partners, IU’s Capital Campus embodies the university’s decades-long commitment to experiential learning, public service, and global engagement. It not only honors IU’s legacy in Washington, D.C., but sets a new standard for preparing students to navigate complex, real-world challenges in public policy and international affairs.
