Summer is in full swing and for Grand Canyon University students that means it is time to travel.
The Ingram Honors College recently sent 42 students on a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., to inspire and promote civic engagement and government by exploring the nation’s capital.
The trip was fully funded by the Department of Education as part of the “Great American Cities Tour” celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial since its founding.
It is a three-year grant named, "The Civic Formation Initiative: Reviving America's Founding Ideals through Education and Engagement," and it will continue in 2027 and 2028 with additional locations in the years to come, including Boston, New York City and Philadelphia.
“It was humbling to go as student body president to see the sacrifice that other people have made,” senior Judah Floyd said. “The work that has been done, understand deeper the processes of justice, law, civics.
“It made me think about what we are doing here on GCU campus to defend the rights of students, to speak for students and to advocate for our students.”
Through Living and Learning International, a faith-based study abroad program, students received a detailed and completely complementary itinerary that allowed them to dive into historical and educational sights, memorials and establishments.
From National Mall monuments, Library of Congress, the Capitol and the Supreme Court to Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery and various museums, the group was adamant about checking off many of the renown sights.
The opportunity was extended specifically to Ingram Honors College students, and it affirmed their on-going studies in government, pre-law and history.
“It was a cool opportunity to see these places I study, specifically the Supreme Court,” junior history major Sawyer de Jong said. “I study all these landmark cases and I’m like, ‘wow, this is where that stuff actually happened.’ I think making the history more physical is a pretty exciting thing.
“The trip was really impactful because up until that point, I had been thinking about not having a career in history, just having the degree. I realized how much I truly love history and want to share it with everybody.”
De Jong signed up for the trip without knowing other students that are attending. She quickly warmed up to the group, especially when she found out some were also studying history. They became the unofficial tour guides to their group, as they reflected on deep meanings behind all landmarks and their on-going studies at the university.
“There were three of us and we were just nerding out to everyone. I think everyone got tired of us,” de Jong said.
The community building continued throughout the week through group activities and shared meals. It encouraged conversations that reflected on the impact of the trip and lessons students learned about being leaders in their communities.
Students gathered in debrief sessions to unpack what they’ve learned after their activities. When Andrea Northup, Assistant Director of State and Community Relations and the trip chaperone, opened the conversation, Lopes talked about their pride and patriotism.
“They said this is the first time they are proud to be Americans because they feel they are told by their generation that they can’t love their country,” Northup said. “I asked them how they are going to take this experience back to Arizona and they said, ‘I want to be more involved in voting. I want to be more engaged in the civic process on campus and I want to actually know who is running for office.’”
“It got their juices flowing and it opened my eyes to how we have to continually cultivate that, how are we showing students our foundation and the importance of the civic liberties that we have.”
Before their trip, the Lopes took a preliminary survey to test their knowledge on civics, government and American history. When they returned home, they took the survey again, but this time, they were able to expound on their answers.
They understood and provided specific examples of what civic engagement looks like and how an influential impact within local communities can be created, Floyd said. While the sights and landmarks were very memorable, so were the lessons on how to students can live patriotically and become bold leaders in their communities.
“I am so grateful for the Ingram Honors College because they put this trip together for the service of students and they are creating new opportunities for students every day,” Floyd said. “This is just one example of their commitment to better educate their students not only academically, but holistically, spiritually and culturally.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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