Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve.
Name: Brayden Bode; Class of 2028
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Political Science and Business Administration
Internship plans: Brayden interned at California State Legislature in San Diego, California this summer as their Legislative Intern. He worked in the Senate for the constituents of District 40 under Senator Brian W. Jones, California GOP Minority Leader. During his time as an intern he took four different roles; casework, correspondence, outreach and inbox. Additionally, Brayden worked directly with staff members and spoke to constituents in all of these roles, and on some occasions attending events and handing out certificates.
How HPU helped you get there: “HPU’s Political Science program has exposed me to people of opposite political viewpoints in a more peaceful way that helps me explore both partisan and bipartisan activities.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Dr. Samuel Whitt, Associate Professor of Political Science was my most impactful mentor at HPU. I had Professor Whitt two semesters in a row and I was in class with him during the fall semester when he had a heart attack. Seeing him come back and keep teaching only a few months later was surprising, and even when he couldn’t make it to class, he still went above what was expected to teach online and make all the material available that we needed. Furthermore, his history was insightful, growing up in Russia and working in the State Department, the place I eventually want to work at.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “JD Vance coming to Greensboro for a limited 50-person townhall with Turning Point USA was my most impactful moment at HPU. I worked at the Trump rally and got to meet President Trump, but I’ve never been in a room only a few feet away from a Vice President, able to actually ask him questions. Not only that, but Senator Ted Budd was there, along with Charlie Kirk.“
What has your internship experience been like and how is it preparing you for your future? “My internship experience was insightful, it prepared me for the reality of an office job versus field work.”
How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success? “My professors always asked about internships and explained how they let you see the real perspective of politics outside a classroom. If you look at the media, all you see is aggression and a lack of context portrayed by the media. Serving in an actual office allowed me to see what it was really like, you help the constituents above winning arguments. It was an insightful experience seeing the two different sides, legislative/capitol affairs and actual district affairs.”
What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation? “Openness to new ideas and opposing viewpoints. Arguments are all you see today, but at HPU, I’ve had meaningful discussions about politics with my professors who shared an opposite viewpoint.”
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