Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
October 14, 2008
Contact: Serouj Aprahamian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
TAKING THE ANCA CAPITAL GATEWAY PROGRAM
ON THE ROAD TO COLLEGE CAMPUSES
— Program Director Serouj Aprahamian Urges University
Students to Explore Careers in the Nation’s Capital
WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian American students at Brown University,
Boston College, Boston University, Babson College, and Harvard
University learned about internship and career opportunities in
politics and the media during a series of Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Capital Gateway Program informational
sessions held at campuses throughout the northeastern United
States.
Capital Gateway Program Director Serouj Aprahamian coordinated with
Armenian Students Association leaders at each of the campuses to
arrange the events, as part of the ANCA’s ongoing efforts to inform
students about the unique opportunities offered by the program in
the nation’s capital.
"For over five years now, the ANCA Capital Gateway Program has been
providing young Armenians the keys to open doors to the Washington,
DC public policy job market," said Aprahamian. "Getting out into
the field – interacting in presentations to student groups and one-
on-ones with individuals – provides a great chance to share
information about the unparalleled advantages this program offers
for their future."
Beginning in 2003, the ANCA launched this innovative program to
serve as a professional platform for Armenian American college
students and recent graduates to secure meaningful policy positions
in the nation’s capital. Those accepted into the program receive
three months of free housing in addition to personalized job
training, access to the ANCA’s national headquarters, and
introductions to the vast network of professionals and resources
available in Washington, DC.
To date, several dozen fellows have gone through the program and
gained employment in a wide range of sectors including
Congressional offices, presidential campaigns, political journals,
government consultancies, federal agencies, public relations
companies, lobbying firms and international development
organizations.
In addition to explaining the main facets of the program and going
over the application process, Aprahamian also presented each of the
student groups with a short, ten-minute DVD video about the Capital
Gateway program titled, "Youth of a Nation." The clip features
testimonials from previous Capital Gateway fellows, as well as
interviews and remarks about the program from elected officials and
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
On each of his visits, Aprahamian also distributed information and
spoke about the ANCA’s other youth-oriented programs, such as the
Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship in DC and the recently unveiled
CampusCause.com () website. Both of these
initiatives are specifically geared toward fostering activism among
students devoted to advancing the Armenian Cause.
The presentations were all well received by each of the student
groups visited throughout the week. Several students expressed an
interest in public policy and, upon hearing about the program, made
clear their intent to apply as they moved closer to graduation.
Others took the opportunity to ask general questions about ANCA
advocacy.
Established through a generous donation from the Cafesjian Family
Foundation, the Capital Gateway Program, over the years, has
benefited tremendously from the generosity of donors committed to
creating public service opportunities for young Armenian Americans.
The leading financial contributor to the Program has been the
family of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader and
community activist from Fresno, California, who lost his life in
2004 in a tragic car accident. His family established the Hovig Apo
Saghdejian Memorial Fund in his memory. Substantial support has
also been provided by longtime ANCA benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Frank
and Barbara Hekimian and the Armenian American Veterans Post of
Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO).
For more information on the opportunities available through the
ANCA’s Capital Gateway Program or to download an application,
please visit and click on the "Capital Gateway" link.
You can also contact the Capital Gateway Program Director, Serouj
Aprahamian, directly at [email protected] or (202) 775-1918.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
