CMC in D.C. Alumni
A large number of alumni have gone on to hold senior or leadership roles in media, business, and government, having earned invaluable early professional exposure as part of the Washington Program. Among the notable CMC in D.C. alumni are:
- Elizabeth Casey ’85 (Executive Vice President & Deputy General Counsel of Fox Corp. & General Counsel of Fox Sports);
- CMC Trustee Hon. David Dreier CMC ’75 (U.S. Congressman 1981-2013; founder of the Dreier Roundtable; and founder and chairman of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation);
- CMC Trustee Laura Grisolano ’86 (Bridge Mediation and Leadership Solution President and CEO);
- Richard Johnson ’01 (former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy; current Visiting Lecturer of Government in the Washington Program);
- Tim Peckinpaugh ’81 (Partner, K&L Gates);
- Michael Shear ’90 (White House Correspondent at The New York Times)
Isabel Guerrero ’27 and Lan Ihsan ’27 are reaping the benefits of CMC’s Washington Program, applying the lessons they have learned in their classrooms to the real-world laboratory of the nation’s capital.
Or, as Guerrero refers to D.C., “the heart of where decisions are actually made.”
Built around a full-time internship in Washington, D.C., combined with a rigorous semester-long academic curriculum, the Washington Program hosts a robust schedule of forums, networking events, tours, and excursions.
This fall, Guerrero—a dual major in Government and Philosophy with a Leadership Studies sequence—and Ihsan—majoring in Government with a Legal Studies sequence— join 11 additional interns from across the 5Cs, whose placements span the offices of U.S. Senators and House Representatives; law firms; as well as lobbying and advocacy groups.
Guerrero is a research intern with the Heritage Foundation’s Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, while Ihsan is working in the office of Virginia Senator Mark Warner as a legislative intern.
“The program adapts to the constantly changing Washington political landscape,” said Dr. Maija Harkonen, Director of the Washington Program, which celebrates its 50th anniversary and the launch of the Ambassador C. Steven McGann CMC Speaker Series on Nov. 6, 2025. The new series is named after McGann, a CMC trustee and class of 1973 alumnus, who passed away in 2023, and was a tireless champion of the CMC Washington program.
While Government majors are naturally drawn to the program, Harkonen notes that through the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences, “we expect to attract more students with a strong interest in science, technology, and public policy. Their work and expertise will assist policymakers in guiding the development of new technologies.”
In exchange, through the program, student interns gain life-changing and career-building experiences in the Beltway.
“Each day has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, whether that’s speaking up in professional settings, exploring unfamiliar places, or trusting myself to figure things out,” said Guerrero, who hails from Gilroy, Calif. “It’s been both challenging and rewarding, and I can already feel how much I’m growing.”
With career aspirations of becoming a Constitutional attorney, Guerrero’s internship “will focus on analyzing Constitutional issues, tracking developments in the courts, and supporting projects related to the rule of law,” she said. “I’m excited to contribute to important conversations about the judiciary and constitutional interpretation.”
Ihsan was inspired to join the Washington Program via the 2025 DC Networking Trek led by the Soll Center for Student Opportunity. The trip, combined with her coursework at CMC (especially Professor George Thomas’ “Constitutional Law: National Powers” course), cultivated her interest in legislative and public service.
With the career aim of becoming “a lawyer advocating for vulnerable communities,” Ihsan is building upon her previous experiences as a legal intern at the Julia Toro Immigration Law Firm in D.C., and as a Communications and Growth & Network Vitality Intern at the United Religions Initiative (thanks to funding from CMC’s Sponsored Internships and Experiences program). In the latter role, Ihsan “had the unique opportunity to speak at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and engage with international activists, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and UN diplomats at two major conferences. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that would not have been possible without CMC’s support,” she said.
“One of my main goals in coming to Claremont McKenna was to fully embrace the interdisciplinary opportunities the College offers,” said Ihsan, who considers nearby Fairfax, Va. her hometown. “I’ve pursued this by exploring a wide range of courses in science, economics, and government. Beyond the classroom, I believe hands-on experience is essential to discovering my true passions.”
Guerrero, whose family works in law enforcement, said, “Growing up, I watched my parents make countless sacrifices so I could chase opportunities like this. Now, we’re in Washington, D.C., and I’m one step closer to the career I’ve always dreamed of.”
Interested in joining the Washington Program? Find application details here.