Brooke Dooley, Women's Studies Minor and International Studies Major, traveled to D.C. on January 9-13, 2012 to participate in PLEN's Thirtieth Annual Women & Public Policy Seminar. During the four-day event, she attended lectures by women who make or influence public policy in D.C. On the first day of the seminar, Brooke and 61 other women from surrounding universities learned the works of the policy process at the American Association of University Women. Workshops were held to help participants improve their resumes and their networking skills. Out of the four tracks that were offered as areas of focus, Brooke chose education and sustainability. Some of the speakers she heard included women from the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, the US Department of Education, the United Nations Environment Program, and the Energy Action Coalition. Brooke says the seminar broadened her understanding of the policy process and hopes to use what she learned as she continues her education.