Six PennWest students will gain an inside look at the political process during the 2024 Democratic and Republican National conventions.

PennWest faculty member Dr. Kevan Yenerall will accompany political science majors Marissa Bard, Tyler Brown and Luc Doolittle to the Republican National Convention July 15-18 in Milwaukee and Aaliyah Dittman, Derik Fenchak and Sydney Speicher to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago August 19-22.

"The National Convention Seminars bridge the gap between theory and practice and are invaluable experiential learning opportunities in a presidential election year," said Yenerall, who arranged the trips as part of his POLI 3990 Special Topics in Politics course. "Students experience the conventions and the election from inside and bring their knowledge back to our campuses and communities, engaging directly in the political process."

Each day, the students will staff convention events and work alongside the Pennsylvania Democratic and Republican parties to provide credentials to all state delegates, alternate delegates and members of the press corps.

Dittman, who studies at the Clarion campus, was selected by the Democratic Party and the Biden-Harris campaign through a competitive process to serve on the DNC credentials committee, and will have the rare opportunity to work inside the convention hall in one of the most important positions in party governance.

“Few Americans know the ins and outs of these conventions,” Yenerall said. “The students get an insider view of what actually happens – what the parties, elected officials and media do and what role fundraisers play in campaign activities.”

Yenerall has led student delegations to the national conventions through the Washington Center since 2004. This year, he worked directly with the Pennsylvania Democratic and Republican parties to coordinate transportation, lodging and work assignments for the students.

“Working alongside the state parties puts the students in direct contact with party leaders, elected officials and other individuals that can help them with a career, internships, law school, graduate school, campaigns and elections,” Yenerall said. “They will be in the optimal place for professional, political and educational networking.”

Students are required to keep a detailed journal during the convention and will discuss their experiences during PennWest’s Constitution Day activities in the fall.

With Pennsylvania projected to be a key state in the 2024 presidential election, Yenerall said he hopes the experience will contribute to greater political literacy and involvement.

“Too many Americans have a negative view of politics, and I don’t think democracy can function in any meaningful way if people don’t participate,” he said. “The bigger picture here is getting students directly involved in the political process and allowing them to understand the role of political parties as institutions in that process.”