HU SGA VP Takes Leadership to Washington, D.C.

Painting the World Blue and White

Hampton University students, faculty and alumni are making a global impact this summer. Students and faculty have embarked on internships, study abroad and research opportunities all over the U.S. and the world. This blog series will feature Hamptonians on their travels this summer.  #HUworld

HU SGA VP Takes Leadership to Washington, D.C.

Caleb Jackson with Civil Rights activist
& U.S. Congressman John Lewis in his
office on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C.

When it comes to Hampton University students, it’s easy to see goals turn into reality, especially during the summer when students are turning skills into experience.

 HU rising senior Caleb Jackson, from Dallas, Texas, is currently interning at ABC News’ Washington Bureau with the Political Unit.

Through the internship, Jackson, a broadcast journalism major and political science minor, has had the opportunity to write and contribute to stories, interview guests, and cover an Immigration Ceremony with designer Ralph Lauren as the honoree and Hilary Clinton as the keynote speaker. Typically, Jackson covers the primary elections contests that are currently ongoing across the nation.

“The HU Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications equipped me with the tools to not only secure both internships, but to succeed at both media outlets,” said Jackson. “From Professor Wayne Dawkins teaching me how to write a lead during my freshman year to Professor Van Dora Williams teaching me how to ask the right questions in an interview, the faculty in Scripps taught me all I needed to know.”

Jackson with fellow Institute for
Responsible Citizenship scholars on a visit to
Steelcase Headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI.

His internship comes from his acceptance into the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. This two-year program selects twelve high-achieving African-American collegiate males from across the nation where the scholars take classes on Constitutional Principle and US Economic Policy, mentor young minorities in middle and high schools, and meet national leaders like former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Congressman John Lewis.

It was no surprise for the university that Jackson was accepted into the program, but HU is even more honored toward his contributions to the program as a role model that parades his Hampton Pride even off campus.

Jackson is an honors student in the HU Freddye T. Davy Honors College and the current vice president of the HU Student Government Association. Upon graduation, Jackson plans to either study abroad, attend law school, or preferably both.

Jackson and fellow scholars outside the Lincoln Memorial.

“I want to enter into the field of public service and work on creating solutions to the problems that minorities currently face across the nation, said Jackson. “The amount of inequality that African-Americans and Latinos face in this country is preposterous and I seek to dedicate my life towards closing those gaps.”

-Gianina Thompson