The American University School of Professional & Extended Studies’ Washington Access Internships (WAI) program offers students from historically underrepresented communities and others an opportunity to build leadership skills in Washington, D.C. Students gain access to future career paths through full-time internships, courses focused on cross-cultural communication as well as professional development, extracurricular activities, and linkages with peers and mentors through networking. WAI also connects employers in federal agencies, private firms and not-for-profit organizations with a highly diverse and inclusive group of future leaders.

Through this academic internship program, American University’s WAI encourages inclusion in service opportunities of diverse future leaders.