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By: Stacey Walters | January 26, 2026
University of Pikeville (UPIKE) students participated in the 2026 Inside Washington Seminar hosted by The Washington Center (TWC), joining students from 38 colleges and universities across the United States for an immersive academic experience in the nation’s capital.
UPIKE sent 11 students to Washington, D.C., through the Fred W. Meyer, Jr. Scholarship, established by Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. Nancy Cade, Ph.D. The program is now led by UPIKE Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Chandra Massner, Ph.D., who assumed leadership following Dr. Cade’s retirement in 2024.
The seminar opened with a welcome from Kim Churches, President and CEO of The Washington Center, followed by plenary sessions examining the first year of the current presidential administration and key policy issues facing the nation. Throughout the program, students engaged with scholars, journalists and policy experts on topics including U.S. economic trends, health policy, immigration reform, education policy, trade and the future of political parties.
“The Washington Center trip is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you return home. Being in Washington, D.C., gave me a level of clarity about my goals that I hadn’t had before, and it reinforced that students from places like Eastern Kentucky belong in national spaces just as much as anyone else,” said UPIKE senior Kirsten Callahan. “Learning from professionals who were honest about their journeys and generous with their advice meant a great deal to me. Opportunities like this matter because they remind students that their stories and ambitions deserve a place in the larger conversation.”
In addition to academic sessions, students participated in site visits across Washington, D.C., including a guided tour of the Pentagon, marking the first Pentagon visit for any group led by Massner. Other visits included meetings with national advocacy organizations, policy research institutions and think tanks.
Students also toured the United States Capitol and stopped by Rep. Hal Rogers’ office. The experience was further enhanced by an early-morning White House tour, made possible through Congressman Rogers’ office.
The seminar concluded with discussions on the state of democracy in America, careers on Capitol Hill and international policy perspectives during a visit to the European Union delegation in Washington.