Professor Larry Berman, Director
"I have been involved with the program since its inception. Students have found their participation in the UC Davis Washington Program to be the capstone experience of their undergraduate education."
Larry Berman is a Professor at the University of California, Davis. In Spring 2007 Smithsonian Institution Press/Harper Collins published his book "Perfect Spy: The Incredible Double Life of Pham Xuan An, Time Reporter and Vietnamese Communist Agent. His work has been featured on C-Span's Book TV, the History Channel's Secrets of Wa, and David McCullough's American Experience. He has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the American Council of Learned Societies and is co-recipient of the Richard E. Neustadt Award, given annually for the best book published during the year in the field of the American Presidency. He received the Bernath Lecture Prize from the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations to a scholar whose work has most contributed to our understanding of foreign relations. Berman has also been a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. His American Presidency class is cited in Lisa Birnbach's New and Improved College Guide as most recommended for Davis undergraduates. From 1999-September 2005, Berman served as the founding director of the University of California Washington Program.
Staff in Washington DC
Sara Lombardo, Senior Program Manager
"The best part of my job is working with the students and watching their personal and professional growth from time of acceptance through their experience in Washington, DC. For many it is a life-altering opportunity."
Sara Lombardo, Senior Program Manager, oversees the daily operations of the Washington Program, including Davis and Washington DC sites. Prior to joining the Program, she worked at the Smithsonian Institution where she managed a volunteer recording program. Before moving to the DC Metro area in 1998, she worked for the state of California for 20 years in several positions-her last position as a development analyst, negotiating and developing training contracts. She received her B.A. from California State University - Sacramento. Sara lives near Annapolis, MD where she is also volunteers with the US Naval Academy.
Staff in Davis
Cheryl Purifoy, Program Manager
"In addition to gaining great experience to complete your classroom learning, the Washington program allows you to build up your portfolio or resume and make valuable industry contacts that can be essential to landing the ideal job upon graduation. I encourage you to take advantage of all the learning opportunities offered by the program to cultivate, develop, and enhance your future leadership potential!”
Cheryl Purifoy, Program Manager for the UC Davis Washington Program works with the Program Assistant and Student Advisors to promote and expand awareness of the program on the Davis campus. She supervises the application and interview process for prospective participants as well as the advising services provided to students accepted into the Program. Cheryl earned her B.A. in Sociology, Organizational Studies from UC Davis. She has worked as both an undergraduate and graduate advisor in various academic departments. She has served as a Senior Program Manager for both the Colleges at LaRue Living and Learning Communities and the Center for Leadership Learning.
Sandra Rodriguez, Program Assistant
“I am excited to be part of a program that offers students such a valuable experience and maintains such a positive reputation. I am even more excited about having the opportunity to interact, and facilitate our students’ journey to Washington, DC.”
Sandra Rodriguez, Program Assistant in Davis, assists the Program Manager and Senior Program Manager with daily office functions, the participant selection process, and promoting the Program across the Davis campus. She also supervises the student advisors in the Davis office and provides advising and internship placement help to Washington Program participants. Sandra earned her B.A. in Human Development from UC Davis in 2006. She worked for the Internship and Career Center before coming to the Washington Program. Prior to coming to work for UC Davis, Sandra worked in Sacramento for American River College for the department of Outreach and Information Services and PACE, a college outreach program for at-risk high school juniors and seniors.
2009-10 Student Advisors
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“From my time at Moment Magazine, I have gained the skills, abilities, and experiences to successfully fit into any office setting. With the opportunity to be in a business environment and a part of the editing process, around editors and journalist, I learned what I can do with my English and Communications double major. I can edit, read, write, lead, and organize and I enjoy myself”
Ana Forman is a fourth year English major with a minor in Communication and Psychology. She went to Washington DC in the fall of 2008 and interned at Moment Magazine, a Jewish political and cultural magazine. She had the opportunity to research, write, and edit for the magazine and was published in the November/December 2008 online issue. Ana also traveled to New York City with the magazine staff and helped to put on a successful literary event. Her experience in Washington DC not only helped her shape her goals, but gave her the tools and knowledge to plan for her future. |
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“Living, learning and interning in DC has helped me apply what I was learning at UC Davis to real life work in the nation’s capital. The city is full of life and offers many opportunities for everyone. The ten weeks I spent in DC were amazing and I strongly encourage students to apply and experience this incredible program for themselves.”
As an aspiring elementary school teacher, Pragya Mathur is currently obtaining her degree in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Education. During her time in DC, Pragya interned at the National Education Association, the largest teacher’s union in the nation. As an intern, she was able to attend educational policy meetings, lobby congress, work on specific projects, and network with experts who shared the same passion for education. The Washington Program has given her valuable work experience and has given her direction in her career goals after college. |
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"Living in Washington, D.C. was the best way to spend a quarter. I loved the subway, free museums, monuments, famous historical sites scattered everywhere--and living at the UC Center only six blocks from the White House. The other great part was my internship. Working at NBC was a great way to experience my studies instead of reading or researching about it in a lecture hall." Sasha Lekach is a senior Communication major with an emphasis in journalism, as well as a Psychology and Art History double minor. While in D.C. last fall she interned at NBC, where she worked on the Around Town section of the NBC-Washington Web site. Through NBC she was able attend plays and concerts to review, write daily listings of what was happening around D.C, and much more. She loved her internship and living in D.C, so talk to her anytime about what to expect in D.C. and why you should go. |
Drop in Student Advising Hours - South Hall Room 223
Ana, Pragya, and Sasha, are all program alum that can give you great insight to the program!
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| 9:00 | Sasha | Sasha | |||
| 9:30 | Sasha | Sasha | |||
| 10:00 | Sasha / Ana | Sasha / Ana | |||
| 10:30 | Sasha / Ana | Sasha / Ana | Sasha | ||
| 11:00 | Ana | Ana | Staff Meeting | ||
| 11:30 | Ana | Ana | Staff Meeting | ||
| 12:00 | Ana | Ana | Pragya | ||
| 12:30 | Sasha | Ana | Sasha | Ana | Pragya |
| 1:00 | Sasha | Ana | Sasha | Ana | Pragya |
| 1:30 | Ana | Ana | Pragya | ||
| 2:00 | Pragya | Ana/Pragya | Pragya | Ana/Pragya | Pragya |
| 2:30 | Pragya | Ana / Pragya | Pragya | Ana / Pragya | Sasha |
| 3:00 | Pragya | Ana / Pragya | Pragya | Ana / Pragya | Sasha |
| 3:30 | Pragya | Pragya | Pragya | Pragya | Sasha |
| 4:00 | Pragya | Pragya | Pragya | Sasha | |
| 4:30 |