HWS News
20 January 2026 HWS Students Experience Washington Up Close
From Capitol Hill offices to global policy organizations, students gain firsthand exposure to life and work in D.C.
In early January, Hobart and William Smith students stepped into the heart of American policymaking during HWS’ 2026 Day on the Hill, a multi-day immersive experience in Washington, D.C., that connects classroom learning with real-world careers in government, policy, advocacy and public service.
From Jan. 5–8, students engaged with an extraordinary network of alumni and national leaders, gaining firsthand insight into what it means to live and work in the nation’s capital. The experience blended site visits, panels, office tours and candid conversations with professionals shaping policy across sectors, ranging from Capitol Hill and federal agencies to global nonprofits and consulting firms.
“As in previous years, our students were exposed to the diversity, passion and impact of our incredible alumni based in D.C.,” says Associate Professor of Politics DeWayne Lucas, who led students on the program with Associate Director of the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education Julia Walsh Postler and Associate Director of Career Coaching Isabelle Strong. “The commitment and engagement of our alumni with national and local issues and communities is on par with their commitment to HWS and our collective mission and vision for a future that serves the nation."
The program opened with visits to leading organizations where alumni and those related to HWS hold influential roles. At the Atlantic Council, students explored global policy research and analysis, guided by William Wechsler P’27, senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs. Additional stops included Avoq, EAB and FGS Global, offering exposure to government relations, education policy, energy and sustainability and strategic communications. These included alumni Keith Castaldo ’04, senior vice president, government relations at Avoq; Kate Klimaszewski ’20, policy analyst at Sternhell Group; Molly Bell ’17, associate director at EAB; Corey Davis ’12, senior director, research partner success at EAB; Kristin Augenblick ’12, senior strategic leader at EAB and Griffin Reiner ’24, government affairs associate, energy & sustainability at FGS Global.
Day on the Hill
Throughout the first day, alumni shared how their HWS education prepared them to navigate complex policy environments, collaborate across disciplines and build meaningful careers in public affairs.
The evening concluded with a Young Alumni Panel featuring recent graduates working across state legislature, federal agencies, media strategy, Capitol Hill offices and attending law school.
Day Two placed students squarely on Capitol Hill, beginning with meeting U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) at the United States Capitol Building, led by President Mark D. Gearan. Panels throughout the day explored work-life balance in Washington, daily life on the Hill and the realities of legislative work from both the House and Senate perspectives.
Students also visited congressional and Senate offices, hearing directly from alumni serving as chiefs of staff, legislative aides and policy advisors. A keynote luncheon with Jeff Stern, superintendent of national disaster and emergency management university at FEMA, offered insight into federal leadership during times of crisis.
Panels focused on homeland security and nonprofit careers in D.C. further illustrated the wide range of professional paths available to HWS graduates. The day concluded with the president’s reception at the historic Cosmos Club, bringing together students, alumni and staff.
On the final day, students visited Navigators Global and Ocean Conservancy, learning how advocacy, national security, defense and environmental policy intersect in Washington. Alumni discussed career trajectories, professional skills and the evolving landscape of federal policy and nonprofit work.
Day on the Hill participants included:
Atlantic Council:
William Wechsler P’27 — Director, Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs
David Maloney — Assistant Director for Operations and Finance, Middle East Programs
Avoq:
Keith Castaldo ’04 — Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Kate Klimaszewski ’20 — Policy Analyst, Sternhell Group
Kent Holland — Partner, Reputation Management
Rebecca Shaw — Senior Vice President, Government Relations
EAB:
Molly Bell ’17 — Associate Director
Corey Davis ’12 — Senior Director, Research Partner Success
Kristin Augenblick ’12 — Senior Strategic Leader
FGS Global
Griffin Reiner ’24 — Government Affairs Associate, Energy & Sustainability
Rosalia Inglima — Associate, International Affairs & Social Impact
Anthony Reed — Partner, Energy & Sustainability, Food & Agriculture
Lindsay Plack — Partner, International Affairs & Social Impact
Brett O’Brien — Partner, International Affairs
Young Alumni Panel
Maddi Meyer ’24 — Chief of Staff, Delegate Dylan Behler (D- 30A), Maryland General Assembly
Ethan Kowalski ’25 — Client Strategy Analyst, Convergence Media
Griffin Reiner ’24 — Government Affairs Associate, Energy & Sustainability, FGS Global
Peter Hotaling ’24 — Press Assistant, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), U.S. Senate
Katherine Healy ’23 — Law Student, George Washington University Law School
Work Life in D.C. Panel:
Gerry Flood ’19 — Senior Associate, Washington Business Dynamics
Joy Gitter ’16 — Senior Research Consultant, K–12 Education, Hanover Research
Michael Kaplun ’08 — Director, Steer PR
Kristina Park ’90 — Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal
Lauren Zeitler Newhouse ’09 — President & CEO, Dogwood Public Affairs
Dan Boysen ’11 — Founder, Boysenberry Strategies
Life on the Hill Panel:
Emma Consoli ’20 — Legislative Assistant, Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA), U.S. House of Representatives
Jamie Smith ’06 — Chief of Staff, Rep. James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), U.S. House of Representatives
Peter Hotaling ’24 — Press Assistant, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), U.S. Senate
Hannah Cooper ’16 — Deputy Chief of Staff / Legislative Director, Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional & Senate Office Visits:
Jamie Smith ’06 — Chief of Staff, Rep. James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), U.S. House of Representatives
Homeland Security Panel:
Kristopher Smith ’01 — Division Director, U.S. Department of State
Hunter LaCroix ’12 — Senior Director, Office of the National Cyber Director, Executive Office of the President; Professor of Homeland Security Studies
John Sipher ’83, P’19 — Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; Founder, Spycraft Entertainment
Piper DeLo ’20 — Associate, Forward Risk, Forward Global
Stuart Hillenbrand ’04 — Inspector, U.S. Secret Service
Nonprofits in D.C. Panel:
Brian Horn ’12 — Chief Operating Officer, Disability:IN
Caroline Welles — Executive Director, The First Ask
Jennifer Leshnower ’00 — Senior Advisor, Talent Initiative and Workforce Partnerships, BBYO
Mikaela Zallen ’20 — Standards and Committee Administrator, Compressed Gas Association
Katherine Delaney ’14 — Program Manager, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Endocrine Society
Navigators Global LLC:
Nick Sadoski ’04 — Vice President, National Security and Defense
Matt Lyttle ’06 — Senior Development Officer, SHI International Corp.
Ocean Conservancy:
Caroline Spruill ’12 — Director of Internal Communications
Top: Students meet with Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA) in the Rules Committee Hearing Room while at the United States Capitol Building.
