Council for Opportunity in Education

Student Opportunities

COE sponsors a range of student opportunities, from a national book club and the annual National Student Leadership Congress for pre-college TRIO students to Washington, D.C. internships and short-term Keith Sherin Global Leaders study abroad for TRIO college students.

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW

Are you ready to embark on a transformative experience that combines education, politics, and hands-on learning in the heart of the nation’s capital?

The Thomas R. Wolanin Semester in Washington Congressional Internship is an unparalleled opportunity for talented and passionate TRIO students to immerse themselves in the exciting world of politics and policy-making. This internship program provides an extraordinary chance to work closely with members of Congress, engage in legislative activities, and gain valuable insights into the functioning of our nation’s government. Applications are due Monday, October 19, 2026.

With questions, please contact Angela Holley via e-mail or phone at (202) 347-7430.

APPLY HERE
Key Program Highlights

The Thomas R. Wolanin Congressional Internship provides individuals who are in the first generation of their families to graduate from college with an opportunity to observe the federal policy-making process first-hand and to participate in that process.

Researching legislation; attending and summarizing meetings, briefings, and hearings; drafting talking points and memos; and supporting Congressional staff.

A current or former staff member of a TRIO program must nominate each candidate for the Wolanin internship. In addition to the application form, the candidate must submit a letter explaining their interest in policy and the internship, undergraduate transcripts, a resume, and a letter of support from a faculty member not associated with the TRIO program.

2027 BOOK CLUB SELECTION

A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, A Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home by Steve Pemberton

“A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home”  tells the remarkable story of Steve Pemberton’s journey from an abusive foster care system to becoming a nationally respected business leader, author, and advocate. The memoir chronicles his search for identity, the trauma and instability of his childhood, and the “human lighthouses” whose compassion and belief changed the trajectory of his life. It is ultimately a story of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of opportunity. The memoir has also inspired a young readers’ edition and a film adaptation. National Opportunity Matters Book Club sessions centered on Steve’s memoir will begin in February 2027!

  • Register your program here.
  • TRIO alumni, TRIO professionals, register as an individual here.

 

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COE offers opportunities for low-income, first-generation students to gain experience working on Capitol Hill, studying abroad, and more.

2025 BOOK CLUB SELECTION

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The featured book for 2025 is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (2026). The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into the family structure. Walls takes readers on a journey through her extraordinary childhood, marked by both deep familial love and profound dysfunction. This unforgettable story will leave you reflecting on the power of perseverance and the complexities of family.

 

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ADDITIONAL OPPRTUNITIES

COE will invite applications for these additional opportunities soon.

COE has seasonal student opportunities for TRIO high school and undergraduate students and recent TRIO graduates. Get notified when COE seeks future cohorts for the opportunities below.

GET NOTIFIED

Each summer, COE hosts more than 150 TRIO high school student delegates from Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Talent Search programs across the United States and territories to participate in a rigorous 6-day leadership experience in Washington, D.C. During the Leadership Congress, the delegates sleep, study, and dine on the campus of American University.  In addition to meeting their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill, delegates participate in community service projects, conflict resolution workshops, and spend much of the program engaged in a Mock Congress. This requires students to research critical policy issues, draft legislation, and debate their peers with their assigned team.

A paid internship opportunity lasting four to six months is awarded each year to a graduating senior or recent college graduate who has participated in a federal TRIO program. The program includes an internship in a Congressional office preceded by several weeks in COE’s Washington, DC office. The internship is named for the late Thomas R. Wolanin, former staff director of the Subcommittee on Post- Secondary Education in the U.S. House of Representatives, a champion of access and affordability in postsecondary education, and a committed advocate for first-generation students.

The Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program was founded with the notion that all college students should have access to international experiences. The program supports the study of TRIO college students with demonstrated leadership skills in a three-to-four-week program. Since 2000, more than 350 low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities have participated in COE-sponsored short-term and semester study abroad programs in Great Britain, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Spain.

Through the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Washington Semester Program, one high-achieving TRIO college student is selected each semester and supported with tuition, housing, and a small living stipend. The Washington, D.C. public policy program includes a semester of study at Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center and an internship placement in a Congressional office.

COE’s TRIO Career Development Program (TCDP) provides TRIO SSS and McNair students with access to competitive paid internships and jobs. TCDP builds professional skills, supports development through mentoring, provides connections to careers with top employers, and helps maximize their work experience. Students receive personalized mentoring and tools to develop and execute their career plans. After building valuable relationships, these students will be prepared to compete for highly sought-after positions with various public and private sector partners.

Stay Connected

Learn more about how the Council for Opportunity in Education works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies to help low-income students enter college and graduate.

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