Some Western students and graduates are climbing the political ladder by working for local, state and national politicians.

Timothy Morris graduated in 2008 and is now a regional political director for democrat Creigh Deeds, who ran for governor of Virginia.

Deeds recently lost the election, but Morris is still working for the politician, who’s a state senator for Virginia.

“The Western experience opened my eyes to opportunities around the country,” Morris said in an e-mail. “The people I met and the connections I made during my tenure at Western Kentucky University have become invaluable to the job I do.”

Scott Lasley, associate political science professor, said when students work for politicians, it reflects well on Western.

Bowling Green senior Monique Braun is also involved in local politics.

She’s the legal assistant for retired former Rep. Rob Wilkey, D-Scottsville.

Braun also worked for Wilkey while he was in office.

“I was raised in a democratic home, and my mom and I would always talk about politics and current events,” she said in an e-mail. “As I have progressed through college, I have been able to take advantage of the opportunities to become involved with the Democratic Party.”

Braun has been involved in College Democrats since her freshman year and has networked with the Western community and people in local and state politics, she said.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Louisville junior Julia Bright interned at the Republican Party of Kentucky Bowling Green Victory office last year for state and national elections.

She helped campaign for Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky.

“Politics is not an easy field to break into — it requires experience,” Bright said in an e-mail. “The campaign experience — the chaos, the people, the atmosphere — is why I became interested in politics in the first place.”

Louisville senior Timothy Gilliam is now the campaign manager for Ed Mills, a Republican seeking the Senate District 32 seat, which represents Warren and Butler counties.

Gilliam also campaigned for John McCain in the 2008 Republican primary.

The political science department focuses on political engagement by getting students involved with politics outside the classroom, he said.

Gilliam said Western has helped him and other students find political internships.

His internships include working for former Congresswoman Anne Northup, R-Kentucky, and Guthrie.

Bright said the political science department is great at preparing students with opportunities to participate in politics because professors take students on trips, such as inaugurations and conventions.

“The faculty of the political science department has really helped me expand on my passion for politics,” she said.