From Cedarville to Capitol Hill: Mays' Path to Political Leadership

The political pipeline from Cedarville University to Washington, D.C. has brought another graduate from rural Ohio to the nation’s capital. This time, it’s Benjamin Mays, who recently began his career as a legislative correspondent for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. 

The continued flow of young, political leaders from Cedarville is a direct reflection on Cedarville’s political science program and the intentional education delivered through the D.C. Semester program that is part of Cedarville’s Center for Political Studies initiative. Each semester, a selected group of 12 students study, learn and work on Capitol Hill. This experience has proven to be the catalyst for Cedarville alumni to begin their political careers. 

As a high school student, Mays was always interested in history and politics. When he was searching for a college to help prepare him for a life in politics, he found Cedarville University’s D.C. Semester program. At that point, Mays knew Cedarville was the university for him — and he would have to work diligently to someday work in government.  

At Cedarville, Mays was involved in the Model U.N. team, which is an educational simulation of the United Nations General Assembly, where students debate topics related to international relations. He also worked as a representative of the history and government department on the Student Government Association Involvement Committee Student Advisory Board and was a member of the Student Government Association Involvement Committee.  

His political experience came to life, however, during the fall of his junior year when he headed to Washington, D.C., for the D.C. Semester. During this 15-week program, Mays was an intern for Ohio Congressman Warren Davidson. 

“The D.C. semester was challenging but it taught me to work with joy in both my internship and my classes,” recalled Mays.  

The internship with Congressman Davidson confirmed in Mays’ mind that he wanted to return to the nation’s capital to work and serve the American people.  

That full-time opportunity arrived just three months after his graduation when he became a staff assistant for Grassley. Since then, he has been promoted to legislative correspondent, where he handles Grassley’s agriculture, trade and environment portfolio.  

The journey to Washington, D.C., was not easy for Mays, as he made several personal sacrifices, including moving eight hours away from his family and friends in Middletown, Ohio. But he knows it was worth the sacrifice. 

“If there was ever a time our country needed Christians working in Washington, D.C., now is that time,” said Mays. “The work is challenging but I have been encouraged by the strong Christian presence here, including my relationships with other Cedarville graduates.”