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Use state and federal funding to meet civic education and literacy goals with Close Up! LEARN MORE


Alumni Network

Close Up’s global alumni network of students, teachers, volunteers, and staff is growing every day! 

High school students meeting with their representative on Capitol Hill Shadow

Our alumni network represents a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and career fields.

Close Up alumni have been inspired to run for office, serve as teachers, and become advocates for the issues they care about. They are also part of a global community of people who have shared a life-changing Close Up experience. If you’re a current or former Close Up student, teacher, guest speaker, educational partner, board member, program instructor, or staff member, we invite you to join our alumni network today to make connections and stay involved with the Close Up mission!

Notable Close Up student and teacher alumni include:
Close Up Alumni in the 119th Congress
  • Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.)
  • Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.)
  • Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.)
  • Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.)
  • Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.)
  • Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.)
  • Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.)
  • Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii)
  • Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.)
  • Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas)
  • Rep. Luz M. Rivas (D-Calif.)
  • Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.)
  • Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.)
  • Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.)
  • Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas)
  • Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.)
Governors and Mayors
  • Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R)
  • Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D)
  • Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D)
  • North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R)
  • Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson (R)
  • Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R)
Former U.S. Government Officials
  • Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) 
  • Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) 
  • Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.) 
  • Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) 
  • Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) 
  • Rep. Joe Garcia (D-Fla.) 
  • Rep. Michael San Nicolas (D-Guam) 
  • Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) 
  • Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah)  
  • Secretary Adrianne Todman (Acting), Department of Housing and Urban Development 
  • Secretary Leon Panetta, Department of Defense 
  • Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation 
  • Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios

Alumni Resources

Civic Ambassadors

Civic Ambassadors

 Join our nationwide network of young leaders engaging their schools and communities!

Donate

Donate

 Donations to Close Up directly support our mission to inform, inspire, and empower young citizens.

Volunteer

Volunteer

 If you have experience in government, policy, media, or advocacy, volunteer with Close Up to share your expertise with students!

 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

 Join us for Close Up Conversations, student deliberations, nationwide conferences, and more!

Alumni Spotlights

Alumni Spotlights

 Read about Close Up alumni who have become leaders in government, advocacy, business, education, media, and other fields.

Alumni Hub

Alumni Hub

 Your portal for news, activities, tips, and advice for Close Up alumni ages 12-22!

 
“

I’m truly blown away by what Close Up’s been able to accomplish in the last two weeks during IMPACT 2020…

The material seems very high level, and my daughter’s been very motivated to participate every day. I wanted to be sure to commend the staff on providing such a great experience!

— Alison, Parent, MA ”
Read More Experiences >
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“

Close Up brought me CLOSER to politics…

the entire notion no longer seemed obscure. I became very involved in politics on the local and national level.

— Margaret, Student, New York ”
Read More Experiences >
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“

I think Close Up’s virtual program is an amazing experience…

 to get out of the bubble of your own community.

— Kayla, Student, MA ”
Read More Experiences >
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“

I plan to introduce Close Up’s professional development to the teachers I work with…

and use this as a part of my school’s requirement that students take action on issues of local, national, and international importance.

— Middle School, Educator, South Carolina ”
Read More Experiences >
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