Empowering Futures
The Sixth Semester in D.C. Program
With its award-winning Moot Court program and eye-opening field placement programs, KU Law is no stranger to transformative opportunities. Another such opportunity is the Sixth Semester in D.C. program. Spearheaded by Jennifer Schmidt, lecturer of law, this initiative is more than just a semester in the nation’s capital; it’s a gateway to shaping careers and amplifying diverse voices in the heart of policymaking.
Schmidt began developing the program in 2015 and welcomed its first group of students in spring 2017. Since its inauguration, KU Law has sent 32 students to Washington, D.C.
“I created the program that I wanted when I was a law student, one that makes starting a legal career in Washington, D.C., as easy as starting a career in Kansas,” said Schmidt. “I want to make sure that Midwestern voices are part of the policy debate in D.C. This program is a launching pad to help our graduates get a seat at the national policy-making table.”
Originating from the vision of Dean Mazza, this program was brought to life by Schmidt, a seasoned professional who had traversed the corridors of Capitol Hill as senior counsel to Sen. Chuck Grassley. Schmidt’s goals for this program were threefold: to begin creating an intricate network of support students can use in their careers, an internship that prepares them for the quick pace of D.C. politics and classwork from trusted KU Law professors like Schmidt herself.
Building the program from scratch involved meticulous planning and execution. At many law schools in the D.C. area, internships span three years and networks flourish. Schmidt aimed to offer a similar edge to KU Law students, especially those from the Midwest and public-school backgrounds.
“This is how I’m using my connections,” said Schmidt. “It’s important to me to help our students. We set up meetings to be very personal so that those connections can be made. I don’t think we’ve met with anyone who hasn’t been willing to meet up with one of our students for coffee afterwards.”
What sets KU’s Sixth Semester in D.C. program apart is its personalized approach. While other institutions might offer standard field placement programs, students in KU Law’s innovative program are immersed in real-world scenarios, meeting professionals in their workplaces, learning about career trajectories and grasping the intricacies of legal careers in D.C.
“The Sixth Semester program heavily influenced my decision to attend KU Law,” said recent graduate Brett Hallagan, L’23. “I chose to participate for a number of reasons, but the deciding factors were the ability to learn about and see in action the many different legal opportunities that only exist in our nation’s capital and the success previous participants have experienced finding their ideal D.C. jobs.”
Even in a politically charged landscape like Washington D.C., Schmidt is adamant about fostering a nonpartisan mentality.
“It is important to me that this program remains nonpartisan,” said Schmidt. “My background is in partisan policy, but I believe very strongly that each student who comes to me in one of my classes or in the Sixth Semester Program is the culmination of their life experiences. Their voice is their own; my job is only to teach them how to impact the process.”
As the Sixth Semester in D.C. program is such a big undertaking, Schmidt and the other professors involved– Director of the Field Placement Program Glenn Jewell and Adjunct Professor Becky Weber – start recruiting early.
“We try to catch students during their first year so we can help them line up any other internships that may help before they come to Washington,” said Schmidt. “D.C. for a lot of people can be scary. This can be true especially for students who have gone straight through from undergrad to law school. I don’t want to drop people in and tell them to swim.”
From initial internships to learning how to live in D.C., Schmidt and her team’s main concern is preparing KU Law students for a semester in the capital.
“Usually, we’ll have a few sessions beforehand to talk about how Washington works, how political appointees work, how civil service works, etc.,” said Schmidt. “There’s a lot of teaching that goes on because we’re building a web of how to practice law and how everything works.”
Alongside mentorship opportunities, Schmidt organizes young alumni or recent graduate receptions so that current 3L students can meet alumni in similar situations as them. The students and recent grads can learn from one another and continue to create that important networking web so integral to a career in D.C.
Some of Schmidt’s favorite moments are the connections formed with students over the course of the program. Becca Bromley, L’19, and Wesley Williams, L’19, are alums of the Sixth Semester in D.C. program and travelled to the nation’s capital in the same semester.
“They both showed up on separate occasions in my office their first semester and said they wanted to do the program,” said Schmidt, with a smile. “They took all of my classes and started dating. They went to D.C. at the same time and got married a year ago in Texas. They reached out to me to officiate it.”
Another notable connection Schmidt made was Josh DeMoss, L’17, who is a foreign service officer with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. DeMoss was an early participant and credits the time he spent in the program to his success today.
“A semester in D.C. exposes you to federal legal processes, policymaking and opportunities to engage with political legal professionals,” said DeMoss. “Even if D.C. is not where you end up, these experiences and connections will provide invaluable opportunities further down the road. Additionally, if you have any interest in international law or public service, time in D.C. is essential.”
Despite the success of the program, financial constraints hinder accessibility. On average, students participating in the program pay $5,000 more than a student who chooses not to participate.
“Living in D.C. is expensive,” said Schmidt, “It is incumbent on the law school and the law alums to continue to support the program. Otherwise, there is never going to be a world where every student who wants to go and deserves to go is going to have the resources to do so.”
This article appeared in print in the 2023 KU Law Magazine.