UND grad students gain front-row access to business and government in Washington

First offered in 2003, the Business & Government Symposium has become a signature experiential-learning opportunity within Nistler College of Business & Public Administration

WASHINGTON — While many University of North Dakota students spent Spring Break soaking up sun and downtime, graduate students from UND’s Nistler College of Business & Public Administration (NCoBPA) traded beaches for boardrooms, Capitol Hill offices and corporate headquarters in Washington.

This was a business trip, and the students’ mission was immersive learning through the College’s long-running Business & Government Symposium course.

Representing programs in accountancy, public administration, and business administration, the students participated in a fast-paced, five-day experience designed to bring classroom concepts to life through direct engagement with policymakers, regulators, alumni and industry leaders — many of whom share strong ties to UND and North Dakota.

Access and relationships

First offered in 2003, the symposium has become a signature experiential-learning opportunity within NCoBPA. The course examines the interrelationship between business and government in a globalized economy, while introducing students to professional pathways at the intersection of public policy and private enterprise.

What began as a two-day summer seminar evolved quickly. Faculty leaders realized that to truly understand Washington, students needed to leave the hotel conference room and step directly into the workplaces where decisions are made. The course expanded into a five-day “marathon” held during UND’s traditional spring break, with students often moving rapidly between meetings across the city.

“This is where the networking comes in very handy,” said Dana Harsell, co-leader of the course and professor of political science and public administration. “Alumni contacts and their networks were incredibly generous with their time and genuinely wanted to support our students. And coming from a small state has its advantages.”

According to Harsell, UND students benefit from a level of access with the state’s congressional delegation that is rare for students from larger states, opening doors to conversations that make Washington feel both approachable and personal.

A legacy continued

The Washington, D.C., experience was created by UND alumnus Ken Mellem and his colleague, J.R. Kirkland, a longtime beltway lobbyist, with the classroom framework later shaped by UND faculty, including Mary and Robert Kweit and current NCoBPA Interim Dean Patrick O’Neill. Over the years, multiple faculty members have helped sustain and evolve the program. Today, Harsell and Xiaoli Guo, associate professor of accountancy, jointly lead both the academic and travel components of the course.

After a pandemic-related interruption starting in 2020, the course resumed in 2025 and continued its momentum this spring with a cohort of 13 graduate students — seven in accounting, three in public administration and three in business administration, split between online and in-person learners.

Guo said this year’s group distinguished itself through professionalism and engagement.

“What strikes me most about this year’s visit to Washington, D.C., is how professional and engaged our students were throughout the trip,” Guo said. “They asked thoughtful questions and interacted confidently with speakers and alumni.”

She also emphasized the role of alumni and institutional partners in making the experience possible.

“I was also truly struck by how supportive our alumni are,” Guo said. “Many of them graduated many years ago but still generously gave their time, hosted us in D.C., and were eager to connect with current students.”

Alums on the national stage

For many students, the most powerful moments came from hearing alumni describe their own professional journeys. MBA student Tony Hollingsworth, who works full time as a procurement officer at UND, said a visit to Deloitte National Tax stood out. There, students met UND alumna Alison Anderson and North Dakota native Alex Brosseau, senior tax policy specialists who outlined how they advise clients while staying closely connected to Capitol Hill.

Brosseau also shared insights from his previous role as a tax policy advisor for former U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, giving students a firsthand look at how public service experience can translate into corporate leadership.

Beyond individual speakers, Hollingsworth said the depth of UND connections across Washington made a lasting impression.

“It felt like the theme of the week is that UND seems to have branches everywhere,” he said. “Even though it’s a wide country, it’s still a pretty small world.”

MBA student Sabina Haase, who works as a communications specialist for the Minnesota State House of Representatives, echoed that sentiment. She was especially inspired by Caitlin Brosseau, a Fargo native and senior director of global government affairs at TripAdvisor, who discussed transitioning from Capitol Hill to corporate government relations.

“Everyone, it seems, has some sort of connection to North Dakota, which is really fun,” Haase said. “I just love my time at UND and the experiences that it has given me to be here.”

From oversight to national security

The itinerary also included meetings with UND alumnus Aaron Hunter of Siemens Healthineers, as well as sessions focused on regulatory oversight with leaders from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Students capped the week with meetings with North Dakota’s congressional delegation and attendance at UND LEADS: Broad Perspectives on National Security on Capitol Hill.

Hollingsworth summed up the experience simply.

“It’s just been an absolute blast,” he said. “It’s a really cool opportunity that the university gives us to get to do this.”