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I’m a rising senior at Catholic University (CUA) right here in Washington, D.C. Coming into my internship at the Center for Education Reform (CER), I did not know what to expect. I came to CUA as a psychology major with the intention of going to school for speech language pathology and embarking on a career working with children, something I’ve always had a passion for.

During my time at CUA, I have served as a tutor for D.C. Reads, an initiative that engages college students in tutoring D.C.’s schoolchildren to improve literacy, as well as interned for Urban Promise, a Camden, New Jersey based nonprofit that creates opportunities for low-income students. I began asking myself some very tough questions – why do some children in America have access to an excellent education, and others don’t? Is education truly the great equalizer?

I began to see myself working as a policymaker rather than working hands-on with children, and became especially passionate about higher education and college access for all students regardless of their socioeconomic status. This desire to really make a difference led me to apply to the CER Internship, and now, here I am!

My first day has led me to getting to know the CER staff and the background of the education reform movement. A lunch with CER President Kara Kerwin on my first day allowed all the summer interns to sit down and get perspective and insight on CER’s work. CER is the perfect place for me to spend the summer and I can’t wait to see where my summer at CER takes me.

Emma Dodson, CER Intern