Closing Thoughts From Director Sesno, Internship with AOC and More!
Closing Thoughts From Director Sesno, Internship with AOC and More!

SMPA SUMMER RUNDOWN

CLOSING THOUGHTS FROM DIRECTOR SESNO 
Dear SMPA Students,
I write to you as I prepare to pass the baton after 11 years as SMPA director. It has been a singular privilege to serve in this capacity. I have gotten to know so many amazing students and watched you do so many incredible things. I’ve seen you grapple with big problems, ask tough questions, explore unfamiliar, often uncomfortable, places. I’ve watched you intern and work on campaigns, in newsrooms, on behalf of causes - across the country, around the world.
Amid the epic tumult we are now experiencing, you’ve stood for inquiry, empathy, inclusion - and for the fight against systemic racism.
It is no exaggeration to say that you have inspired me.

INTERNSHIPS & JOBS

POLICYLINK JOB

PolicyLink is seeking a senior associate to lead and evolve our work to eliminate unjust fines and fees. The senior associate will also support other projects to transform the economy and criminal-legal system through advocacy, research, and movement building. This position is full-time and can be performed remotely.

INTERNSHIP WITH DELEGATE MARK SICKLES
A member of the Virginia House of Delegates, chairman of the health, Social Services, and Behavioral Health Committee and also the vice-chairman of the Appropriations Committee, delegate Mark Sickles is in need of a remote communications intern this fall. The tasks include drafting constituent letters, social media, and other legislative tasks as needed. This unpaid internship is looking for someone who can work 10 hours a week.  
Interested applicants should send their resume to SMPA alumna Ilana Ickles at icreinin@marksickles.com.

INTERNSHIP WITH CONGRESSWOMAN ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ 
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is offering internships in both her Washington D.C. and Jackson Heights offices. Both internship programs run throughout the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. DC and District Office Interns are compensated at a rate of $15/hour unless sponsored by an outside organization also compensating at a rate of $15/hour. Interns are able to work on either a part-time or full-time basis.
Interns will work with staff to serve the constituents of New York’s 14th Congressional district. Our goal is to provide each intern with a meaningful experience that will enhance their understanding of Congress.

SMPA ANNOUNCEMENTS

SOCIAL MEDIA DISINFORMATION AND ELECTION INTERFERENCE  

On Monday, June 29, 2020, from 10-11:30 a.m. and noon-1 p.m. EDT the Institute for Data, Democracy, and Politics (IDDP) will host it's second in a series of events that will highlight how false, misleading and dangerous social media content can inflame racial divisions, confuse voters and hurt election integrity, as well as how social media platforms fail to rein in such hazardous content, allowing it to spread widely.
The forum is moderated by Frank Sesno and will feature leading policymakers like Stacey Abrams and Adam Schiff and more from around the world who will together discuss the consequences of digital platforms’ misinformation negligence with real people who have been directly harmed.
The event series is held in cooperation with the members of the International Grand Committee on Disinformation (IGC), a consortium of legislators working to protect consumers from social media disinformation.
You can watch the forum live on IDDP's Youtube page.
AMERICAN COMMUNITIES PROJECT NEWSLETTER 
The American Communities Project explores how technology and economics are redefining the social, political, and cultural fault lines of the United States. In their latest newsletter, they cover Covid-19 & resort communities, medical care, protests, essential workers, and online learning. 
2020 INSTITUTE FOR DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING - STUDENT SHOWCASE

Beginning Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m. EST, The Documentary Center 2020 student-produced short films will become available to watch online, and on Thursday, July 7 at 7 p.m. EST, there will be a live online discussion.

Once the student films have completed their virtual showcase run, there will be a live online discussion and Q&A with the filmmakers and our staff to give more insights into their films and the unique production circumstances they faced this year.

Register today to ask questions about the films and their content, discover the challenges of collaborative filmmaking during a pandemic, and celebrate the hard work of our new alumni!

SPOTLIGHT

SMPA SENIOR REFLECTS ON CONVERSATION WITH MARK CUBAN ON MEET THE PRESS COLLEGE ROUNDTABLE
"I had the incredible opportunity to interview Mark Cuban on Meet the Press College Roundtable alongside a panel of other student journalists hosted by SMPA alumni Chuck Todd. I was able to ask Mr. Cuban about his thoughts on the lack of diversity in NBA ownership, his advice for college students trying to traverse an unstable job market, and pressed him on what he is personally doing to ensure racial issues are addressed in his own organizations. I believed his answer was thoughtful and am confident that these types of questions help address the overall issues we see in society. The experience as a whole was a shock. I was called in the day prior to participate and had to hastily arrange questions and attend meeting after meeting to make sure we were all on the same page and set to do the interview. Despite the hectic pacing, the experience was one-of-a-kind and I am truly grateful for having this opportunity." - Parker Jensen, GW SMPA Class of '21
David Ensor spoke to Lyse Doucet for BBC World Service on the new head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). He also spoke to NPR about Voice of America as well as Vox Media.
Janet Steele was quoted on the upheaval at USAGM by Asia Times and also quoted in The Straits Times on the state of Voice of America. 
GW'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The health and safety of the GW community is a top priority for the University. The School of Media and Public Affairs encourages all students, parents, faculty, and staff to please read and follow the updates coming out of the George Washington University. 
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