WINS Sponsorship
American University’s Washington Semester American Indian/ Alaska Native/ Native Hawaiian Program - Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) gives students the opportunity to build leadership skills--acquired from studying and interning with a federal agency or a non-governmental organization--and return to their communities to share their professional knowledge. Participants gain expertise, skills, networks, practical experience, and academic credit through WINS. Organizations may choose to support American Indian/ Alaska Native/ Native Hawaiian students who are members of federally recognized Tribes and others through a scholarship.

For the duration of the program, each WINS student interns full-time for his/her WINS sponsor. Program costs are shared by American University and internship sponsors. 

Program expenses include all tuition and fees for 6 academic credits; round-trip travel between the participant's home and Washington D.C.; housing and a meal plan at American University's Tenley Campus; books, materials and other academic and social support needed for successful completion of classes and internship; a full orientation program; ongoing community building activities; and a weekly stipend for off-campus meals, local transportation, and personal expenses. 

Following is a list of recent US Federal government sponsors:

• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Energy
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Justice
• Department of Labor
• Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Department of the Treasury
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Federal Reserve Board
• Food & Drug Administration
• National Indian Gaming Commission
• Transportation Security Administration 

Following is a list of recent WINS sponsors beyond the government including an Indian Tribe, non-profit organizations, and a law firm:

• Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, LLP
• The Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED)
• Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation
• Native American Management Systems
• National Indian Housing Council
• Native Affairs Development Group
• Seneca Nation of Indians

Other recent supporters include:

The Vivian M. and Theodore R. Johnson Scholarship Foundation
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation provided AU with a grant to support Tribal College Students majoring in business or with the goal of owning or operating a business on their home reservation.

The Committee for Native American Ministries (The Washington-Baltimore Conference of the United Methodist Church)
CONAM recently donated funds to be used for student emergency needs such as health care and family emergencies. CONAM also invites WINS students to attend the weekly American Indian Prayer Breakfast as guests of the program. 

Monteau and Peebles, LLC
The law firm of Monteau and Peebles has donated funds for student events. The resources were used to help fund the opening picnic for students. 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld, LLP
The law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld LLP has hosted an annual professional networking reception for students. 

To discuss the program and signify interest in sponsoring an intern, please contact Amy Morrill-Bijeau, Washington Semester Program Internship Director.  

Amy Morrill-Bijeau
Assistant Dean of Experiential Learning
Washington Semester Program
American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.  20016-8083
202-895-4967
morrill@american.edu