UNCP Students Bring Classroom Learning to Life in Washington, D.C.

April 15, 2026 Mark Locklear

Students on Study Away trip pose in front of fence in the front of the White House in DC — Left to right: Dustin Barnes, Dominic Forney, Bethany Locklear, Maryely Dominguez, Adrianna C. Lott, Daniel Contreras, Jessica Reynolds and Dr. Josiah Marineau, Associate Professor of Political Science

Sitting inside the U.S. Supreme Court courtroom, UNC Pembroke student Dustin Barnes found himself imagining his future.

Barnes, a sophomore criminal justice major aspiring to become a federal prosecutor, reflected that seeing the Supreme Court in person brought his studies to life.

This Spring Break Study Away trip to Washington, D.C., gave UNCP students real-world insights into the institutions, history and culture they study, helping bridge classroom theory with firsthand experiences.

Organized by political science professors Drs. Melanie Escue and Josiah Marineau, the Study Away trip brought students enrolled in intro to political science and law and society courses to the nation’s capital, where they explored some of the country’s most significant historic and governmental sites.

From visiting the White House and U.S. Capitol to touring the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the trip offered students a deeper understanding of history, government and public service.

UNCP students on Study Away trip walking on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. — UNCP students gather in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Capitol behind them, gaining firsthand insight into the nation’s history and government through experiential learning

For Chanelle Lott, a sophomore political science major, the experience reinforced the value of learning beyond the classroom. “It was a fun experience with my classmates,” Lott said. “Seeing these places in person — the Capitol, the Supreme Court — is totally different from watching the news.”

Lott said the visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum had a particularly lasting impact. “In school we learn about the Holocaust, but being at the museum — seeing the images and exhibits — was eye-opening,” she said. “It made the global impact real.”

For many students, the trip transformed abstract concepts into tangible experiences. Barnes described the opportunity as “absolutely magnificent,” noting it was his first time traveling to Washington, D.C. “Sitting inside the Supreme Court brings lessons to life,” Barnes said. “You see where decisions happen, which gave me more drive.”

Like many students, Barnes said the Holocaust Museum left a profound impression. “It’s hard to describe,” he said. “You feel the weight of what happened, beyond textbooks.”

Dominic Forney, a junior criminal justice major, said the trip offered both educational and cultural enrichment. “You experience history firsthand and learn what people lived through,” Forney said. “We also enjoyed new cultures, food and perspectives.”

The trip exemplified UNCP’s mission to offer personalized, high-impact learning that connects classroom knowledge to life outside campus. “UNCP supports experiences like this,” Lott said. “Small classes and professor relationships made it feel personal. Dr. Escue and Dr. Marineau organized everything well.”

Students said the affordability and accessibility of the trip made it especially impactful. “Some never get to visit D.C.,” Barnes said. “This lets students experience history, not just read about it.”