Established in 2006 to honor the legacy of former U.S. Senator and UNM Political Science faculty member Fred R. Harris (1930-2024), the program provides students with life-changing, hands-on experience through semester-length internships in the nation’s capital. 

The program enhances student education in representative democracy through applied work and is embedded in a policy- and representation-focused curriculum that allows students to directly integrate theory and practice in real time.

UNM supports ten students each year to access this unique opportunity by covering housing costs and arranging students’ placements with New Mexico senators and congressional representatives. Your support will help students of all financial means to participate. Gifts received will count toward the goal of $25,000 to support student expenses while they are working and studying in Washington, D.C.

If you have any questions about this fund or would like to know about other methods of support, please contact Rob St. Mary at 505-313-7696 or rob.st.mary@unmfund.org.