Ann Arbor Times

Two students from Eastern Michigan University's Honors College, Trinity Perkins and Jeanne Sandouno, have been chosen as Ford Motor Company Fund John Dingell Fellows. They will participate in the Summer 2025 session of The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program. This opportunity is available through EMU's partnership with The Washington Center, which began in Fall 2024.

Ann Eisenberg, dean of the EMU Honors College, stated, “These students are exceptional leaders whose commitment to public service exemplifies EMU’s mission to prepare engaged, informed citizens.” She added that thanks to the collaboration with The Washington Center and support from the Ford Fund, both students will gain valuable experience in national policymaking.

The fellowship allows Perkins and Sandouno to attend the program without tuition costs due to funding from the Ford Motor Company Fund. This fellowship honors Congressman John Dingell's legacy by supporting students interested in public service and policy careers. It also aims to provide civic and government leadership experiences for underrepresented backgrounds.

Perkins and Sandouno are rising seniors at EMU's Honors College. They will travel to Washington, D.C., on May 28 and return on August 2. During their stay, they will engage in internships, academic seminars, and networking activities aimed at starting their careers in public service.

Trinity Perkins majors in criminology and criminal justice with a minor in public law and government. She will intern at The Faith and Politics Institute, a nonprofit focused on fostering bipartisan relationships through dialogue. Perkins expressed her enthusiasm: “I’m happy to represent EMU and the Ford Fund in D.C. this summer.”

Jeanne Sandouno is majoring in political science with a journalism minor. Her internship will be at Voices for a Second Chance, an organization aiding incarcerated individuals' reentry into society. Sandouno remarked on her selection: “Being selected as a John Dingell Fellow feels surreal.”

The Washington Center was founded in 1975 as a prominent student internship program connecting college students with internships and professional development opportunities in Washington, D.C.

Eastern Michigan University was established in 1849 as Michigan's second oldest public university. It offers over 300 programs across various disciplines through its multiple colleges.