Blog Posts Part 3

Beyond the Headlines: Misconceptions about D.C. Careers 

By Cassie Contreras-Franco, Edited by Michael Mitchell

It is easy to assume, it comes naturally to humans. Before signing up to attend this travel seminar in D.C., it was effortless to make a variety of assumptions. I assumed I would meet many important people, I assumed they would act important, I assumed I would meet many people with different political views, and of course, I assumed they all hated each other. When you live in an era where social media is extremely utilized and algorithms are catering to your preferences, it is difficult to understand different realities. This demonstrates through different media outlets using clips or moments in politics that dramatize interactions. Therefore as I went along our packed and informative itinerary, I was surprised to see how many misconceptions I had created in my mind. 

In recent years, we have all seen different videos on a diverse range of social media platforms of politicians disagreeing with each other. Whether it is a fiery debate, aggressive social media exchange, or targeted political ads, it is easy to believe there is little common ground between them. Political parties have been consistently pinned against each other since the beginning, however now through social media the public has access to an abundance of perspectives different from their own. 

It is difficult to tell someone not to stand up for what they believe in, and it is difficult to tell someone not to make assumptions about a person without having a genuine interaction with them. I knew I would listen to extremely qualified speakers with a variety of expertises, and it was not difficult to think they would be too busy to have true interest in our group of undergrad Drake University students. Furthermore, as I spent more time in D.C. and met different speakers, I was shocked to learn I created misconceptions about the careers in D.C. 

Illusions of Power 

Everyday people scroll on their phone or watch what is on television, and when you see influential people speaking on topics they are passionate about, it makes sense to view them as something opposite of everyday people. Through this trip I have been able to gain more understanding of how these leading people in D.C. are more similar to us than we are different. This realization initially clicked with me when we had the opportunity to have a Drake Alumni reception. Many Drake University alumni attended this event and although there was some catching up with old friends, all of them made the effort to have conversations with the current students attending this trip. The room was filled with voices having genuine conversations, students curious about their work, and alumni genuinely answering their questions. I believed the alumni would be too busy or disinterested in what I had to say due to their status, however I found out they were all extremely helpful.

Another thought I had was that I would never find anything in common with them, nonetheless, I found something in common with everyone I had a conversation with. One alumni shared the interest of agriculture with me, another alumni was in the same sorority as me, and another alumni knew people who went to my high school. This made me feel as though one day if I work hard enough, I could be in their shoes. Overall everyday it became more clear how people with power and influence are ordinary people as well. Many speakers this week asked us what our majors are and are areas of interest before presenting what they do, and even though this realization does not take away from their notable careers, it is reassuring to know. 

Bridging the Gap 

It is no surprise that there are disagreements between political parties. People from political candidates all the way to everyday people on social media debate and defend what they believe in. Video clips end up on apps such as instagram reels, tiktok, and facebook of politicians arguing and are classified as “highlights” of the event.

 When we had the opportunity to see Pam Bondi’s confirmation hearing, both parties seemed respectful of each other.

Furthermore, later that night when I scrolled on TikTok, the viral clips were the ones of confrontation. This makes the audience believe that working in this field means constant conflict with your political opponents. Therefore, I assumed the variety of speakers we would engage with would never work well together due to their different perspectives. However, we encountered numerous times how that is false. Many speakers worked with people who believed differently than them, and many of them worked well together. There were also people who recommended working for the opposite party to emerge yourself in a work environment where you work well and understand the people who think differently. This was extremely shocking to me as I met many people who worked in nonpartisan organizations, and those who were in bipartisan fields, were always respectful to the opposing side. Although we don’t know what this next administration will look like, it is reassuring to know there is still fellowship among each other. 

Written by Cassie Contreras-Franco, Law/Politics/Society and History, Spring 2026

The Beauty of Democracy

By Miguel Abellan

Democracy is fragile. As we saw on January 6th, 2021, it can be easily threatened and almost overturned by the influence of powerful people. Recently, we’ve seen even more internal threats, such as media censorship, arresting political opponents, and discouragement of peaceful demonstrations. Many of these threats coming from the incoming administration. Although many people don’t believe in these threats, in a beautiful example of democracy, Mr. Donald J Trump was still elected in 2024. In protest of these risks, which many other people see, there was a people march held on the 18th in the heart of DC. Even though there were many different groups there with diverse interests in mind, the rally was a true symbol of democracy and how it should be executed. 

Even though this was a people march, there were women’s rights activists, pro-Palestine protesters, and people fighting for free speech. It was such a melting pot of ideologies and cultures with live music and speakers rallying the crowd. The demonstration started at Franklin Park at 10 am and at 11 we started marching. The crowd was full of picket signs protesting the incoming government and current women’s reproductive rights. There were counter-protesters also there believing against abortion rights on the basis of religion. Thankfully there was police presence to discourage conflicts between protesters and counter-protesters.

As we walked, my peers and I were moved by the strength and fearlessness of the people around us. Just by being there almost gave us to courage to start chanting too. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to due to prior instructions we were given beforehand. As we passed McPherson Square and Farragut Square more and more protesters joined us. While we marched on the last leg of the protest, we were fully immersed in the crowd. More counter-protesters arrived yet it stayed peaceful, something that is taken for granted in a lot of modern demonstrations. We finally arrived at the final destination, the World War Two memorial, across from the Lincoln Memorial. The roads and pavement were packed, shoulder-to-shoulder with people. Ushers guided people where to go and filled every inch of pavement with live democracy.

By the time we reached the World War Two memorial, it was already 12:30 and we were hungry. Therefore we decided to go find lunch and say goodbye to this moving rally. When we left we were proud to be a part of such a historic movement. 

When leaving this rally, I realized how important democracy is for the people of America. America was built on the First Amendment and is still relied on heavily to this day. Many other countries in the world do not have the same ability to protest the government as we do and it is clear that many people feel as if they will lose that right. As women are seeing their right to their own bodies being taken, many fear loss of protest or freedom of speech could be next. If Kamala Harris won the 2024 election this rally would have not happened, but because of what the newly-elected, Trump has said in the media, struck fear in a lot of people, including myself. This rally was a way to express our critiques of the new administration in a fair and just manner, just how democracy is supposed to be. On the other side, there were counter-protesters also stating their beliefs, another example of democracy.

Overall, democracy is a vital institution to the American way of life. Without it, our nation crumbles. When Americans feel like their democracy is being threatened, they will demonstrate because that is what this nation has been built on for the last 300 years of its existence. Therefore, I hope that the incoming administration will hear our voices and choose to uphold the Constitution rather than their own self-interests. 

3 Different Cities With 3 Very Different Stories

By Francesca Conner 

Coming from Boston Massachusetts, I can’t say -at least so far- that Washington D.C. is very far off from my home. However, as our trip comes to an end, I have been thinking about my return back to Des Moines, and how I am going to acclimate back into its social environment. I understand this may be strange to admit, but I have found that while all three of these locations are labelled as cities, there are so many things that set them distinctly apart from one another. providing unique personalities and visual experiences for each location. 

Public transportation

Public transportation, or what I would refer to as “the T” is a more accessible and relatively budget friendly option for many people to get around their cities. I would consider myself to be well-versed in using public transportation in Boston and Des Moines, but this past week has been the first time I have used “the Metro” in Washington D.C., making the differences between the three more obvious. First, Des Moines does not have a subway system. Instead, they rely on buses to comprise their transit options. D.C. and Boston use a combination of the subway and bus systems to allow passengers to get around the city. While the pros and cons of these systems may vary depending on the person using them, I will add that the subway system allows for the faster transportation of a much larger group of passengers than a bus allows, however not every city has this demand. (From left to right, Boston MBTA map, D.C. Metro map, Des Moines Dart map)

Another obvious difference between these three is the availability of connections. I have found it much easier to connect to different lines on the Metro and the Dart than it is in Boston, with many points of connection throughout the routes as well as one super center where all of the lines merge, but Boston has fewer of these points, and only 2 stations meet at a given point. I find the Metro to have the most accessible and comprehensive transportation system than the T and the Dart, allowing people in D.C. to navigate the city more efficiently. 

The Food!

I think my classmates are sick of me saying this all of the time; “You are on the east coast, go and eat!”. In my time living in Boston, I could not think of a single time I have been disappointed after going out to eat. I find that the uniquely diverse population and talent in Boston allows for an authentic experience that I haven’t quite found in Des Moines. Additionally, now is the time to get seafood! Being on the coast means high quality, fresh seafood that is typically locally sourced. In Boston, I love getting fish, shrimp, oysters and clams, however I find that NOTHING beats a maryland crab. Unfortunately, Iowa is a landlocked state however that also comes with its own set of advantages. I love going out to Iowa restaurants, providing some dining options I have never experienced before such as poutine and fried pork sandwiches. Different regions have different things to offer, and I think travelling provides an excellent opportunity to try new foods and cuisines, or even some comfort food reimagined. It truly is the best way to warm the soul. (Brick Pressed Chicken from “The Smith” in D.C.)

The Culture 

No matter where I go, it has never been difficult to experience what makes up the heart of a city. I have found that it is always the people that make city life enjoyable and unique, influencing new perspectives and experiences as they navigate their lives and impact those around them. I will always be amazed by the hospitality in Des Moines and D.C., especially coming from a city that has a reputation for an intensely face-paced environment. It makes my day every time someone smiles at me, complements me, and would like to personally award Des Moines the #1 spot in this category. It would be an understatement to say it was a culture shock coming from Boston into Des Moines, where I was used to moving fast and keeping my head straight, to strangers asking me about my day. I have interestingly found that D.C. is similar to Des Moines in this respect, where I have had enjoyable and thought-provoking conversations with people I have never met before. Not to say that Boston does not have its own charm, but nothing beats a community that prides itself on inclusivity, treating strangers like part of a family. 

Three different cities with three different stories; I cannot be more grateful to experience the diversified perspectives my country has to offer, and it makes me want to continue to explore other areas and cultures to better understand the complexities that exist right at home. It is going to be hard to say goodbye, but I know I will keep D.C. with me as I am reminded of its accomplishments as I move back into my dorm room…at least until I come back. 

Fran Conner (She/Her/Hers), Honors Law, Politics, & Society and Sociology/Anthropology Majors, Research and Writing Specialist for Seeds of Success, Crime Victims Advocacy Volunteer at Creative Visions 

The Architecture of Government

By Mitch Davis

Many aspects of our experience in D.C. have not surprised me. I expected that the metro system would be clean and convenient, that prices would be high, and that the buildings would contain more marble than a Wagyu steak. I did not anticipate, however, just how much access the public has to the spaces at the heart of the federal government. This physical accessibility has emphasized to me our government’s aspiration to be accessible to the American people.

Early in the trip, Drake in DC met with two Congressional staffers in Rep. Angie Craig’s office, which was in the Rayburn House Office Building. To get to the office, we had to go through security, much like what one would experience at the airport. That was it. We did not have to show that we had an appointment in the building. We did not have to show a badge or an ID. And once we were in, we were in. We could walk through the tunnels from one House office building to another and knock on the door of any Representative’s office. Many of us made rounds asking about inauguration tickets. Members of Congress and staffers were going about their business in the building, and we could be right there with them without having to show any cause at all. A few people in our seminar chatted with Sen. Cory Booker, while a few other classmates and I got a picture with Sen. John Fetterman. It would be harder to get past the receptionist at a dentist’s office without an appointment than it was to enter the space where legislators of the most powerful country in the world do their work.

The ease of access to the heart of the U.S. government is more than a piece of logistical minutiae for people organizing travel seminars. It is symbolic (dare I say representative?) of the philosophy on which the United States was founded. The government is, to use the words set in stone at the Lincoln Memorial, “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Members of Congress are our servants, not our masters, and it follows that the public should be able to visit their offices and attend their hearings without needing to show cause. This seems mundane to the American mind, hardly an insight, but elsewhere in the world such an understanding of government would be unthinkable.

Public access to government buildings does, of course, come with limits. Public access has to be balanced against the public’s interest in functioning government. Officials need to be able to work without disruption. Everyone with business before a committee should get seats in a hearing room before those who are merely spectators. Most importantly, officials must be secure. While security measures make it superficially more difficult to access government buildings, the security of the government serves the public interest.

The physical spaces that host the government are accessible to the public, which makes the government itself more accessible to the public. This is one example of a larger pattern that I have noticed while in D.C., and that I could only have noticed from inside the city: physical space matters. This is the key insight of architecture. The architect knows that features such as the location of an office, the height of a ceiling, or the placement of the windows will condition the way that people interact with one another within a space. D.C. is a city built on this understanding, its streets laid out and its buildings constructed very deliberately to serve a given purpose. The Washington Monument is the highest structure in the city, visible from nearly anywhere. When a person is lost, they can look to Washington to orient themselves.

The symbolic meaning is clear. Many buildings, including the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Treasury, are neoclassical in style, intentionally reminiscent of the ancient democracies of Greece and Rome. (Other buildings are brutalist, which are reminiscent of… cinder blocks? I don’t get brutalism.) The great museums of the Smithsonian have clean lines and domes, while the African-American history museum has a distinct style fitting its subject matter. Grand, elegant, evocative of the past, yet open to all comers: as is D.C., so is our republic.

The Congressional Office and the Lives Behind Them  

By Elijah Alsop and Erin Nicklas

Introduction

Our group had the opportunity to meet with several House member’s legislative staff and learn about their careers and their personal lives. We asked questions about the way their offices are set up, the work that staffers do, and why the average tenure for a staffer is only 18 months.

Structure of a Member’s Office

Each member of the Congress, House and Senate, are allocated a set budget to pay their staff and are responsible for creating and filling the staff positions they see fit. This causes each office to have a different culture and even different positions. It has been described by a staffer that every member has their own “mini-business” to run. Members with the strategy to make the news to change the public discourse end up constructing a staff with more communications specialists versus a member focused on writing intricate pieces of legislation with more legislative assistants. No matter which way it’s lopsided, the structure of the staff is often a similar hieratical model with the member at the top, followed by the chief of staff who oversees both the legislative department and communications department. The legislative director that oversees the legislative assistants and legislative correspondents which of course handle the legislative portfolio. The senate offices have more resources, and therefore, more staffers which allow them to be specialized in more policy areas. On the other hand, the house offices typically have only a few staffers in the legislative department forcing them to each cover a wide portfolio of policy areas – in other words, they have to be jack of all trades. The communications staff is led by the communications director or the press secretary and filled by other communications assistants. The communications staff manages the media strategy and public relations. A scheduler is also typically on the staff to keep the Representative or Senator on time.

Personal Lives

With all of the responsibilities of each staffer, they end up working long, long hours. It appears that staffers lack a personal life. If you are making as much as or less than a public school teacher in Iowa and trying to pay rent in D.C. as a staffer, you are going to need a side hustle or a second job. A third job really, since all of the networking done by each staffer seems like its own job in itself. This obviously leaves little time for a personal life and is likely the reason that most staffers are very young. It would be difficult to justify working a second job so you could work your first job that brings in hardly anything if you had more going on in your personal life, such as a spouse or children. Work is your whole life when you are a staffer. This is likely the reason why the average tenure for staffers is 18 months before they move on and find something with a better work-life balance and greater benefits.

 It was interesting to observe in our meeting with two staffers working for representatives of two different parties how their work does not necessarily influence their personal relationships. The staffers mentioned having friendships with people from both sides of the aisle, and that political affiliation is not everything. Whatever their disagreements may be about policy and what is happening in their workplace, their political affiliation is a part of their job, and they are able to put it aside to have strong personal relationships with people across the aisle. As people who do not need to think about their political affiliation in their jobs day-to-day can struggle or outright refuse to form relationships with someone with opposing beliefs, I think it’s admirable that people who seek employment based on their political views are able to put that aside and see a person as a person, not as one part of their identity or one thing they disagree on. Perhaps it’s easier to put aside those differences when they are a part of your job day-to-day, but regardless, I think it was important and interesting to learn that working on the Hill is not all about political rivalries like some might assume. It is actually more about bipartisanship and the relationships you build across party lines.   

Elijah Alsop is a senior from Forest City, IA studying economics and American politics with minors in data analytics and leadership. He is excited to learn about the day-to-day lives of the staffers on Capitol Hill and the formulation of policy.

Erin Nicklas is a sophomore from Grinnell, IA studying psychology with a minor in politics. She is interested in the intersection between mental health care and our political system, and is excited to discern more about where her interest in politics may lead her in the future during her time in Washington D.C.

The Chinese and their Food

By Elijah Alsop

I love Chinese food! I could eat it 7 days a week. I could have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, I’m from rural Iowa, and there isn’t much of a food scene there. Thankfully, growing up, I only had to drive twenty-five miles from my house to arrive at Panda Express.  Thankfully, Des Moines has plenty of Pandas as well – the closest being only six miles from campus. I believe I carry the title of their best customer.

Lucky for me, Washington, D.C., and especially its historic Chinatown neighborhood, has amazing Chinese food. This has led to me having Chinese food a whopping six times during this trip – including one stop at a local Panda Express, of course. If you allow me to attempt to explain how international trade, the TikTok ban, and the best food in the world shape the relationship between the United States and China, you will be able to see my expert rankings on all six meals.

International Trade

Hearing that distance to a navigatable waterway was an instrumental data point for Trump’s success in his presidential elections was quite shocking, yet it made so much sense. The United States economy used to have a much larger manufacturing base, but as free trade developed, many companies outsourced manufacturing for a lower cost of labor. US manufacturing slowed, and the river cities that once thrived with manufacturing plants due to the cheap shipping access from the river were decimated.

 As the United States transitioned from an economy of manufacturing to an economy of service, Asian countries like China filled the void. China became a powerhouse in manufacturing – its economy boomed. Donald Trump noticed the anger of these communities. One of the platforms he ran on was China taking their jobs and promising to bring them back. It was very successful. The swing state of Iowa had been won by Obama in both 2008 and 2012, but in 2016, Trump took the state by over nine points. Nine of the ten counties on the Mississippi River flipped from blue to red. In 2020, Trump carried the state by about the same margin. And in 2024, Trump won all ten counties on the Mississippi River and won the state by thirteen points.

The TikTok Ban

As China continues to rival the United States, tensions are high. This has led to the United States government banning the widely popular social media app TikTok due to data concerns. Our group was lucky enough to be in the city during the oral arguments at the Supreme Court, yet not lucky enough to be let in after waiting in line out in the cold for three hours. But during that time in the cold, we spoke about how TikTok isn’t even based in China. Its parent company ByteDance, is the “problem” as it is based in Beijing. After the Supreme Court upheld the ban, the last hope to save TikTok seems to be if ByteDance sells to an American business.

Ironically, TikTok is also banned in China for national security reasons. ByteDance owns a sister version of TikTok, Douyin, but the more popular TikTok-style app in China is called RedNote. As American users of TikTok brace for the ban to take effect on Sunday, many have been downloading RedNote and sharing their experiences communicating with Chinese citizens. Although our governments seem to be at odds, the people may be beginning to connect.

The Best Food in the World

The new friendships popping up online between Americans and Chinese on RedNote may be the start of a new type of diplomacy. For there are many more diplomatic strategies beyond government officials meeting with each other in embassies and at state dinners. My favorite has been used by China and many more Asian countries: gastrodiplomacy. The idea is that as your country’s cuisine becomes popular in restaurants abroad, it fosters a more favorable perception of your nation. Thailand famously spent millions of dollars to train chefs and send them across the globe to open Thai restaurants. It worked, leading to an increase in both food exports and tourism. Never underestimate the power of good food. And if you want to find some in D.C., consult my current list of restaurants below.

#6 Senate Cafe in the Dirksen Building – Mongolian Beef, White Rice, and an Eggroll.

#5 Wokaholic – General Tso’s Chicken and Chow Mein

#4 14th St Cafe Asian Bistro – Orange Chicken and White Rice

#3 Panda Express L’Enfant – Honey Sesame Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Fried Rice

#2 Da Hong Pao Restaurant and Bar – General Tso’s Chicken and White Rice

#1 Wok and Roll Restaurant Karaoke – Seaseme Chicken and White Rice

Elijah Alsop is a senior from Forest City, IA studying economics and American politics with minors in data analytics and leadership. He is excited to learn about the day-to-day lives of the staffers on Capitol Hill and the formulation of policy.

On the Edge of History: How D.C. Changes Ahead of Inauguration Day

By Hannah Goldsmith, Edited by Eve Loehrer

In the ten days since I arrived in Washington, D.C. there has been a steady shift in the atmosphere of the district. Some changes have been smaller, others have been more noticeable. It started when I arrived at the airport for my flight to Washington, where there was additional security screening at the gate before we got on the plane. There were TSA officers at the gate, checking inside of our carry-on bags and looking at our IDs. It wasn’t until the first night that I learned from my classmates that this was something that most of us experienced.

While this may seem like a minor thing to most people, it was the first of many moments on this trip where I realized just how different things are in Washington in the lead up to the inauguration. This is my third trip to D.C. and I have noticed many differences between those two trips, which took place in 2018 and 2019, and the trip I am currently on. In prior visits, while there has always been a security presence in the city, the district had a far more open feel.

How the District is Different

            So, how exactly does Washington, D.C. change in the lead up to the inauguration? The most noticeable thing is the growing number of barricades that have gone up around the city. The barricades vary, from concrete blocks to silver metal barriers. However, the most noticeable additions are the black wire barricades. They are around eight feet tall and they are very easy to spot from a distance.

This increase in barricades made navigating around the city a bit difficult, especially getting from Union Station to the various Senate and House office buildings on Capitol Hill. I found it difficult to know where the openings in the barricades were in order to get into buildings that were still open, but were not as easy to access due to the number of barricades around the Capitol building and the other buildings around it.

In addition to the barricades, there has been an increase in the number of police officers in the city. Of course, there is always a police presence, particularly on Capitol Hill. Over the past few days however, the police presence has grown significantly. However, when I was walking past the Capitol building just three days before the inauguration, there were several New York Police Department vans parked outside.

Additionally, there was a large crowd of police officers from both the NYPD and the Capitol police. Not only was this the largest group of police officers I had seen gathered in one place since the start of our time here in D.C., I was also not expecting to see officers from the NYPD in the city. This was a reminder of the fact that the inauguration is a national security event that truly takes over every aspect of the city, including the police presence.

            Another change is the distinct shift in the groups of people that I saw while walking around on the Friday afternoon before the inauguration. Especially as you get closer to Capitol Hill, the streets of D.C. are full of people dressed in professional attire. But starting on Friday, there was a noticeable increase in the number of tourists around the city. Several students in our group talked about how they were approached by tourists who asked them for directions. Another thing that stuck out to me was the number of people wearing Donald Trump hats and shirts. Up until the last day or two, I have not really noticed that many people wearing Trump merchandise around the city, and this reminded me that people from all over the country come to D.C. for the inauguration, and it shows the way that the city changes in so many ways, including the people who are here.

A Dystopian Feeling

            The growing number of barricades. The police cars on every street. The security officials on the train. All of these things have contributed to the dystopian feeling that has settled over the district. There is a sense of unease that I have felt as I’ve walked down the streets of D.C. over the past few days as we get closer to the inauguration. When I think of what a dystopian city looks like, I think of high numbers of police officers and barricades around buildings, and that is exactly what I have seen in the city over the past few days. Over the past ten days I have watched Washington, D.C. transform as the city prepares for the transfer of power that will take place at noon on Monday, January 20.

Hannah Goldsmith is a sophomore from Plymouth, MN studying American politics with minors in international relations and psychology, as well as a concentration in women’s and gender studies. They are a fan of the show “The West Wing” and developed their interest in politics from watching it. They are excited to learn more about Washington, D.C. as a political workplace as well as about the community of the district.

A City of Symbols

By Imman Yimer 

During my time in D.C, we have visited many buildings on the National Mall, such as the Capital, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, and many more. It is impossible not to notice the intricate and beautiful architecture and art within these buildings. Every statue, monument, and piece of artwork carries meaning, symbolizing what it represents and why it is there. Art is used to tell a story, and with D.C. being the capital of the United States, it is used to illustrate the core beliefs of America and the principles on which this country was founded. It is up to us to interpret these pieces into what we believe they represent. 

The Library of Congress

Of all the sites we have visited, I believe that the Library of Congress has the most eye-catching, fascinating artwork, covering all of the ceilings and walls. During this visit, we took a brief tour of the building, explaining the meaning behind the paintings and mosaics. 

As you walk into the Library of Congress, you first enter the Great Hall. In the attached picture, there is a bronze statue of a woman holding an electric torch. During our tour, our guide took the time to emphasize the importance and meaning behind the statue. Symbolically, the torch represents enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge. Reading unlocks the door to lifelong learning and I believe this statue signifies the importance of education, hence it’s placement right at the front of the Library of Congress. It is the first statue one notices as entering the building, showing how a person’s knowledge comes first. 

On the second floor of the Library of Congress, the top flight of stairs displays a 15-foot-high mosaic of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, learning and protector of civilization. Designed by Elihu Vedder, the mosaic displays Minerva holding a spear, yet with her shield laid on the ground, a sign of peace but with vigilance. She is holding and reading a scroll in her left hand that lists the fields of knowledge, such as agriculture, education, mechanics, etc. At the bottom of the mosaic, a Latin phrase is written, which translates to “Not, unwilling, Minerva raises a monument more lasting than bronze.” The mosaic illustrates how humanity can come together through our shared pursuit of education and the creation of a learning-centered society. Knowledge is ever lasting and has the largest impact on the development of society.

Capitol Rotunda 

One of the most iconic symbols of Washington D.C. is the Capitol rotunda. During our trip, we all had the privilege of visiting the Capitol privately, after hours, giving us the chance to analyze the beautiful artwork that lies under the dome of the Capitol. The artwork, The Apotheosis of Washington, was painted in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi. The word apotheosis can be defined as the elevation of a person to a god. The painting displays George Washington at the center, rising into the heavens. Around him surrounds figures from American history, Roman mythological gods, and embodiments of important aspects of America. One of the aspects portrayed is war. The perimeter of the painting shows a woman fighting for liberty, slaying figures that represent tyranny and unjust power. Brumidi used this painting to honor the struggle for freedom, democracy, and progress. It is placed precisely and intentionally in the State Capitol to serve as a reminder of unity and the shared purpose of our nation.

Statue of Freedom

At the top of The U.S. Capitol building stands the Statue of Freedom. As a group, we were able to go on a nighttime tour of the monuments. During this tour, our guide mentioned the reasoning behind the placement of the statue and the deep symbolic meaning it carried. The statue depicts a woman wearing a military helmet and sword. The bronze Statue of Freedom faces the east over the central entrance of the building, crowning the dome of the Capitol. Standing at 19 feet and 6 inches, the statue is purposely placed to face the east because the sun never sets on the face of freedom. In D.C., no building can surpass the height of the Capitol, so that the statue can be seen clearly. I found these small, but so important details to be profound. The statute watches over the nation’s capital, symbolizing that freedom is at the core of American democracy. 

My trip so far in D.C. has shown me that nothing is truly a coincidence. Every piece of art can be interpreted to have significance and profound meaning. Each site visit offered a glimpse into the nation’s history, and deeper understanding of the ideals that continue to shape its future. 

Imman Yimer is a junior from Des Moines, Iowa studying Pharmacy, with a concentration in Global and Comparative Public Health. She is interested in public health policy and the bridge between healthcare and politics. 

The Art of Going With The Flow

By Chloe Gayer

It all starts with good intentions. An oddly larged sized group of college students bundled up against the freezing cold, walking up and past the hill, to visit the Supreme Court. The plan was simple. We would eat breakfast, take a brisk walk, spot some turtles and take in the beauty of the building. But D.C. had other ideas. When we arrived, we were not greeted by open doors (or even security guards) but instead the news that the Federal Government, including the Court, was closed for the National Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter. 

The disappointment hit harder than the icy wind, but we were not discouraged. A smaller group of us bundled up again a few days later, woke up even earlier, and hiked once again to the Highest Court in the Land. This time to witness the history making case of TikTok v. Garland. With our teeth chattering and toes numbing, we waited in line for over three hours, only to find ourselves a few tickets away from getting in. So close but so far, and so so cold.

If there is one thing our site visits have taught us, it is that flexibility is essential. Nothing in Washington ever goes exactly as planned. Meetings will run late, buses get delayed, and pancakes don’t come out on time. Our schedule shifted constantly as “go with the flow” became less of a suggestion and more of a survival strategy. 

But, since the flow is expected, Washingtonians have figured out ways to ride it. People in D.C. rely on past experiences to handle new challenges. Whether it’s navigating international tensions or running high-stakes events, there is a playbook for almost anything. The CNN Special Events Team, for example, starts planning for inaugurations months in advance. They have decades of experience that lead to systems and strategies that can be deployed at any moment.

When a hairstylist plugged a hairdryer into the wrong outlet and took out an entire live broadcast or when a cord gets locked in another room by Secret Service. The team has enough experience, and anxiety, to handle it.

It’s not just daily schedules that have to be adapted. Careers in DC tend to go the same way. Almost every one we have talked to so far has taken a winding path to get where they are now. Our alumni have shared stories of taking jobs they did not love and salaries lower than liveable, just to find the position where they are now. One even reminded us that the plan we have now, may not be the career we end up loving. Sometimes you have to quit the job you thought you’d love to find the career you really love. 

Now, with the inauguration just a few days away, we are ready to put these lessons to the test. The weather forecast tells us that it will be the coldest inauguration in 40 years. Snow is expected on Sunday, which we all know D.C. will not handle well, and Monday will be followed with a high at a brisk 20 degrees. If it is anything like Reagan’s inauguration in 1985, where the ceremony had to be moved indoors and the parade was canceled, we are in for an adventure.

Thanks to everything we have learned, I think we are ready to roll with it. Our time in D.C. has taught us that things don’t have to go perfectly to work out. Whether it takes standing in line for hours, adapting to last-minute changes, or finding unexpected opportunities, the key is to stay flexible and keep moving forward. Sometimes, the best moments come from the detours.

Chloe Gayer is a senior at Drake University, studying American Politics with a passion for advocacy and community organizing. Born and raised in Iowa, she is committed to fostering unity and understanding through her work to reflect her belief in the power of people to create meaningful change. 

Pop the Bubbles: Relationships Across Party Lines and the Revolving Door

By Reid Stevens

Washington D.C. is, by all accounts, a bubble. It’s a bubble of constitutional divergence, historical importance, and a large group of bright, ambitious, and well-connected professionals (including many Drake alumni) who are in the business of running the behemoth that is the United States. From those working as Legislative Assistants (LAs) for their local representative in the House of Representatives to CEOs of Aerospace and Defense Companies and everybody in between, they are interconnected by the hustle and bustle of the nation’s capital. However, there are an innumerable number of smaller bubbles within this larger group. My goal is to dissect where these bubbles are and hear from Drake alumni living and working in Washington D.C. about which bubbles they are in, how they form and maintain meaningful relationships with individuals outside of their bubble, and how “popping the bubble” they can help them advance their careers and social life. 

Congressional Staffers – Skylar Borchardt & John Altendorf

One such example came from two Drake alumni who invited our class of 25 students and 2 professors to Congresswoman Angie Craig’s office, which was a very tight fit and I sat on the floor for most of the meeting. Skylar Borchardt, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director for Congresswoman Craig, and John Altendorf, Legislative Director for Congressman Brad Finstad. Despite working for candidates on opposing sides of the party divide, John and Skylar have maintained a relationship and find a lot of common ground politically. Borchardt emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with our peers, on both sides of the aisle, because those kinds of bipartisan relationships push progress. As a class, we did an activity later that week about building relationships with a peer we did not know particularly well that further emphasized this. The value of having those conversations becomes obvious when difficult, in-depth conversations reveal the full context behind some of those opposing views, allowing both sides to develop a sense of understanding. Developing relationships to push progress isn’t just for staffers though, as both John and Skylar recalled times when their respective bosses set up their meetings over coffee with other members of Congress that they wouldn’t normally work with. It also pays dividends to have those relationships later, as many of those relationships can yield getting advice from a more senior staffer who has dealt with a situation before, or even them helping each other to land their dream jobs. For those working on Capitol Hill, they need to pop a few bubbles to make the perfect foam.

Penta Group – Runal Patel and Mike Gettlieb

Another fresh perspective offered on these relationships is that between individuals working in the public and private sectors. The differences between the sectors and those who work in them are both ideological and paradigmatic. As the Penta Group’s Runal Patel and Mike Gettlieb explained, individuals who have worked mostly in policy, often in the public sector, and those in business, overwhelmingly in the private sector, often are used to very different ways of working. This can often lead to clashes between corporations and the policymakers that work for them or affect them. The Penta Group exists to translate the concerns of policymakers for businesspeople and vice versa. Patel mentioned that it is also strategically important it is for a policymaker, for example, it is crucial to understand how the other side works. He further notes that he as a Democrat is his politics has benefited from interning or working for organizations that are centrist or considered to be somewhat right-leaning in this manner as well. Hearing the story and understanding the perspective of the other side, whatever that may be, allows one to become better at what they do. This is accomplished through storytelling, which is a significant portion of lobbying is all about. By understanding the attitudes and values of the side one is trying to convince, one can become an infinitely better storyteller, negotiator, and problem-solver. 

Reid Stevens is a political science and economics student from Minnesota. His areas of interest are international relations and foreign development, human rights, transportation and logistics, and international economics.