Belmont Abbey College Announces the American Semester at The Belmont House, Forming Students for Faithful Public Service
Belmont, N.C. (March 16, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College announces the launch of the American Semester at the Belmont House, a newly developed academic and formation program in Washington, D.C., designed to prepare students for principled leadership and policy engagement.
Open to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the American Semester Experience allows students to immerse themselves in specialized coursework on Catholic social teaching while completing full-time internships with congressional offices, federal agencies, and policy organizations. Located just steps from the U.S. Capitol, the Belmont House serves as Belmont Abbey College’s formation center, bringing community, faith, and truth to public service. Undergraduate initiatives stand as the cornerstone of its leadership development efforts.
Dr. Jeffrey Talley, President of Belmont Abbey College, notes, “The Belmont House exemplifies our mission as a Catholic Benedictine College which is to order the hearts and minds of students to Christ as they serve in the world as competent professionals. In a city where decisions shape the lives of millions, our students learn to act with conscience, courage, and conviction.”
The Belmont House stands at the intersection of Catholic teaching and public service, offering a unique foundation for those called to lead and creating vibrant Catholic communities within Washington’s high-pressure political environment. In that regard, American Semester students participate in a lecture series curated for them as well as in public discussion series directed to wider, public audiences. Emmett J. McGroarty, Executive Director of Belmont Abbey College’s House on Capitol Hill, shared, “Through our collaborations and discussion events, we facilitate meaningful professional opportunities for students. We’re excited that the American Semester is open to students from across the country. In extending this hospitality, we draw on 1,500 years of Benedictine tradition of seeking truth and building the Mystical Body of Christ.”
Hannah Martin, a current Belmont Abbey College senior participating in the program in Washington, D.C., through an internship with Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women, shared, “The Belmont House experience has shown me what it looks like to live my faith in public service. Between my internship at the Luce Center and the formation we receive here, I’ve learned that Catholic teaching isn’t just theoretical and that it can guide how we approach real policy decisions that affect people’s lives.”
“The Belmont House functions as a trusted resource where Catholic social teaching shapes public discourse,” McGroarty adds. “It is a place where future leaders are formed to bring moral clarity and faithful witness to the public square.”
To learn more about the American Semester or to apply, please visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/belmonthouse/american-semester/.
About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Bolton
P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu
