About Us
The American Federation of Teachers Local 1521 established the Student Internship Program in 2003 as a unique civic engagement initiative tailored for community college students throughout Los Angeles County. Emphasizing the core values of the Labor Movement, social justice, and civic participation, the program aims to empower students to actively participate in shaping their communities.
Each Fall and Spring semester, the program selects 45 students leaders from the nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), the largest community college district in the United States, serving approximately 200,000 to 230,000 community college students annually. A significant portion of these students are local residents pursuing diverse educational goals, including transferring to four-year universities, completing general education requirements, receiving occupational training, or acquiring new skills to enhance employability.
Participants in the program can anticipate developing crucial organizing skills, forming effective teams, and mobilizing their peers on relevant educational and political issues affecting their higher education, the student body, and their communities at large. Students will gain insights into local and state politics, delve into the legislative processes of California, and cultivate leadership abilities through hands-on project experiences.
Our Mission
Our Student Internship Program is devoted to offering students opportunities to expand their skills and understanding beyond the classroom. Our aim is to cultivate a deep-seated passion for justice, foster a desire to develop political organizing and advocacy skills, and nurture a dedication to leveraging these capabilities in the fight for community colleges.
Goals & Objectives
Equipping students with the skills and understanding needed to lobby legislators and Trustees, striving for accessibility, equity, and affordability for all students, regardless of race/ethnicity, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ableism, national origin, language, citizenship, or immigration status.
Igniting students’ voting power and opposing any policy that denies or suppresses the exercise of voting rights.
Working to safeguard and enhance education laws.
Amplifying students’ voices and advocating for their needs in a responsible and transparent manner.
Focusing on the cultivation of practical skills in democratic political action. This includes one-on-one volunteer outreach and leadership development, campaign messaging, power mapping and strategic planning, relationship building, and effective political practices.
Training interns in legislative and policy advocacy, ensuring they can use the skills learned to represent community college students in California before local and state policymakers.
Helping interns understand the intricacies of the legislative process and policymaking. Through this, interns will gain knowledge about issues affecting California Community Colleges, become proficient in developing and delivering impactful messaging on Public Policy School matters, and become effective policy advocates in the process.
