WASHINGTON-- The India Abroad Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) has named Prem Shunmugavelu as a new associate in their Washington office. Shunmugavelu joins the Center after having served on the staff of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI).

The India Abroad Center was founded in 1994, by the publisher of India Abroad, Gopal Raju, and serves the community at large by increasing the political awareness of the Asian Indian-American community and fostering responsible leadership.

Dr. Ralph Nurnberger, who helped Mr. Raju to establish the Center and also serves as a Washington Associate, said that "Prem is a major addition to the Center's staff. He has experience on Capitol Hill and in a number of Congressional campaigns. He brings a keen understanding of American politics and the Indian American experience. We are thrilled that he has joined the staff."

Shunmugavelu is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Bachelors degree in History, with a Certificate in Business. He is a veteran of two congressional campaigns in Wisconsin, before coming to Washington to work for Senator Kohl.

Shunmugavelu emphasized his interest in the Center. "I am excited that I have the opportunity to make positive changes in the Indian-American community. I strongly identify with being both Indian and American and hope to bring my thoughts, ideas, and experience from Capitol Hill to continue to grow and expand the scope of the Center."

He added, "I am excited that I will have the opportunity to run the Center's internship program", referring to the Washington Leadership Program, which is the one of the most prestigious internships in the Asian-American community. "The Center's internship program is the perfect model for how an internship program should be run, and does a terrific job in training the leaders of tomorrow."

Shunmugavelu actively participated in the selection of the fifteen students who will be offered internships this summer. He is also engaged in developing additional programs and speakers for the summer. In addition, he is currently working on a reception for all Indian American Congressional staffers.