KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 27, 2026

Kennesaw State University student Darrius Knight is putting his education to work on the nation’s biggest stage, one legislative memo at a time.

Knight was in the middle of giving a campus tour when his phone rang. On the other end was a staffer from the office of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, calling to let him know he had been selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants to serve as a spring intern in Washington, D.C. Knight stepped away from his tour group, took the call, and tried to quickly compose himself so he could finish the tour.

It was the kind of moment Knight had been working toward for years. A political science major with a minor in international affairs, he carried a fascination with government since a sixth-grade field trip to the nation’s capital. Now, that dream has become his daily reality.

Each morning in Senator Warnock’s office begins with reviewing overnight constituent voicemails—logging the issues, concerns, and calls to action that Georgians want their senator to hear. From there, Knight’s days shift quickly into legislative work, assigned to policy teams covering education, labor, foreign policy, and more.

Among his most meaningful assignments has been working with the office’s education team to analyze legislation affecting college students; everything from federal student loan policy to proposed changes in the FAFSA process.

“These bills can impact students who receive federal financial aid at colleges across the country,” Knight said. “Being on a team who helps organize information so the senator can decide which bills he should support is a task I don’t take lightly because I know it can have a direct impact on my peers back home at KSU.”

Knight credits the foundation built at Kennesaw State with preparing him for the demands of Capitol Hill. His international affairs coursework in the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences, covering topics like globalization and military policy, equipped him with the vocabulary needed to contribute meaningfully when summarizing legislation in his memos. Similarly, a class on the U.S. Congress last semester has taken on new meaning now that he’s watching those processes unfold from the inside.

He also points to KSU’s Department of Student Leadership, where involvement in KSU’s Student Government Association and other campus organizations helped him identify and develop his strengths as a leader. Knight said his program coordinator and mentor, Leon Humphrey, played a pivotal role in keeping his spirits up after a disappointing setback earlier in the year. When Knight did not receive a different internship, Humphrey encouraged him not to be discouraged and that a better opportunity might be just around the corner.

“Through his positions as a tour guide and orientation leader with New Student Programs, I knew Darrius possessed the ability to be a high-character leader, one with both the interpersonal and strategic skills needed to succeed in roles involving advocacy, community engagement, and public service,” Humphrey said.

The D.C. Owls Scholarship, which helps fund housing and living expenses for KSU students interning in Washington, D.C., has made a meaningful difference in Knight’s ability to be fully present in his role. With the financial pressure of housing relieved, he has been able to focus on building relationships, attending committee meetings, and exploring the city that has always felt like somewhere he belonged.

Beyond the work itself, Knight has fully embraced everything living in D.C. has to offer: networking over coffee with fellow interns who may one day be law school classmates, browsing the striking architecture of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, and discovering the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Knight recalled calling his mother after his first week in Washington  and telling her he could see himself living there one day, cold weather and all.

Reflecting on his own path from KSU to Capitol Hill, Knight offered pointed advice for students considering similar opportunities.

“This is your moment,” he said. “Your experience at KSU has prepared you for this moment and equipped you with everything you need to succeed. The only thing you have to do is take advantage of the opportunities in front of you.”

As the semester comes to an end, Knight is weighing his next steps. He sees himself as a public servant, someone who wants to return to his community and hold a position that makes a real difference. This spring in Washington hasn’t just confirmed that vision, it has sharpened it.

Students interested in applying for the D.C. Owls Scholarship can learn more by contacting KSU’s Office of External Affairs at externalaffairs@kennesaw.edu, or by visiting go.kennesaw.edu/DCOwls.

– Story by Elyssa Reed

Photos provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.