March 4, 2026
Joshua Looper Selected for Prestigious Douglass–O’Connell Global Internship in Ireland
Joshua Looper’s summer will take him more than 3,000 miles from Bowie State University to Dublin, Ireland, where he will study the transatlantic legacies of two of history’s most influential freedom fighters.
The Council on International Educational Exchange selected the Bowie State University junior as one of only 14 students nationwide for its 2026 Douglass–O’Connell Global Summer Internship. The highly competitive program places him among an elite cohort committed to justice, leadership and global engagement.
For Looper, a history and government major, the opportunity represents far more than a study abroad experience. It marks a defining step in his preparation for a career in public service.
“This opportunity is an extraordinary testament to Joshua’s intellectual rigor, professionalism and commitment to public service,” said Tamara L. Brown, professor of history and director of women’s studies . “His accomplishment affirms the strength of our academic programs and reflects the global impact Bowie State scholars are poised to make. We celebrate Joshua for opening new doors and exemplifying the excellence that defines our university.”
Looper will live and work in Dublin for eight weeks this summer, completing a full-time internship with an Ireland-based business while participating in an academic seminar. The eight-week program examines the transatlantic legacies of Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell, two 19th-century leaders who championed social change and used advocacy and economic strategy to advance liberation movements.
Program scholars explore how Douglass and O’Connell built movements for equality while navigating complex political and economic systems. Organizers designed the experience to cultivate justice-driven leadership rooted in global citizenship and entrepreneurship.
The internship also honors Douglass’ transformative visit to Ireland more than 175 years ago, when he found support among the Irish people and developed a friendship with O’Connell. Co-sponsored by the Council on International Educational Exchange, the Government of Ireland, the African American Irish Diaspora Network and the John & Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, the program connects history to contemporary leadership through immersive learning and professional development.
“I am grateful to have been selected to join this cohort in Dublin,” Looper said. “I have never traveled outside the United States, so I look forward to immersing myself in Irish culture and learning from the legacies of Douglass and O’Connell, whose commitment to justice and equality continues to inspire me.”
Looper has already built a strong foundation in public service. He serves as a legislative assistant with the Maryland General Assembly, where he previously interned. He also has completed internships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Office of U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown and the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.
Through this international experience, Looper will represent Bowie State among a distinguished cohort that includes scholars from Howard University, Spelman College, Harvard University and Yale University. More importantly, he will carry forward the university’s enduring commitment to educate, empower and elevate leaders prepared to serve a global society.