ORONO — University of Maine senior Adam Fortier-Brown, of Randolph, has been selected to be the first intern in a new program for undergraduates offered by UMaine’s William S. Cohen Institute for Leadership & Public Service, according to a news release from UMaine.

Fortier-Brown, who is studying economics and political science, will begin the internship Jan. 28 with The Cohen Group in Washington, D.C. The Cohen Group was formed by former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen to help enterprises compete in the global marketplace.

“I am very excited to work in D.C. in the private sector, to see the other end of policy making and implementation,” said Fortier-Brown, according to the release. “The Cohen Group is full of top-shelf talent, with an extensive list of impressive accomplishments, and I am looking forward to learning a lot from this. I think this will be an invaluable experience for me, and will be in the exact line of work I had been hoping to seek employment in.

“It is really interesting to learn how the world works and how we can improve it,” said Fortier-Brown, according to the release. “I have had a strong desire to give back to my community since I was very young.”

Fortier-Brown’s interest in politics began in high school, when he attended the American Legion program’s Boys State, a summer leadership and citizenship program, and Boys Nation, an annual forum focused on civic training, government and leadership.

As a UMaine student, Fortier-Brown was a congressional intern. He is a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and co-director of the inaugural Maine chapter of Camp Kesem, which supports children affected by a parent’s cancer through year-round programs, including a free summer camp.

After graduation, Fortier-Brown plans to work in Washington, D.C., before returning to Maine and attending law school.

“The Mitchell Institute is providing me with a fellowship award that will help make the big move down to D.C. much easier. This organization has supported me all throughout my college career, and I am incredibly grateful for the work that they do for Maine students,” said Fortier-Brown, according to the release.

The University of Maine is known for the quality of students who work on Capitol Hill, said Richard Powell, director of the Cohen Institute and a UMaine professor of political science, according to the release. The new internship program offers “an incredible world-class experience for our students.”

“This opportunity is like no other offered at the university,” said Peter Madigan, board chairman of the Cohen Institute, according to the release. “Secretary Cohen has been so generous with his support for the institute and the School of Policy and International Affairs.”