2009 Archive
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2009 |
Contact: Muriel Cooper (202) 263-2829 mcooper@cbcfinc.org |
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CBCF Welcomes Congressional Summer Interns
Stellar Program Brings Policy Making Process to Life for Students
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Washington, DC - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., (CBCF) welcomed 45 undergraduate students from across the country to its Summer Congressional Internship Program. The students will spend the next two months working in a Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member office where they will have the opportunity to offer policy development and analysis on a number of issues, create a community action plan and develop a professional portfolio. In addition, they will have daily interaction with several Congressional committees and staff.
CBCF created the Legislative Internship Program in 1976 to address the underrepresentation of black professional staff on Capitol Hill. In 1983, the CBCF restructured the Legislative Internship Program into the Congressional Internship Program – a summer internship program for undergraduate students and the Congressional Fellows Program for graduate level students. Today, under the Leadership Institute for Public Service, interns participate in the fall and spring semesters along with the summer. Since its inception, more than 1,200 students have participated in the program. The program is described as one of the top preparatory experiences in Washington, D.C.
“CBCF’s mission and much of our reputation for success are built on our strong internship program,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for CBCF. “We are known throughout the nation for our intensive nine-week program that provides college undergraduates with a behind-the-scenes look into the democratic process. Through experiential learning in the office of a CBC member, the program prepares the next generation to be decision makers in the policy making process.”
Close to 300 well-qualified students applied for the summer session, a 50 percent increase from last summer. “With recent election activities on a national and state level, we are seeing a new generation that will not be dismissed,” said Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., manager of CBCF’s Leadership Institute. “This is also a cohort that grew up with participating in community service activities and committing early to giving back to their communities. Creating and working in public policy is an extension of this mindset,” she said.
CBCF Congressional Internships are open to full-time undergraduate college and current seniors in college. For more information on criteria and deadlines, go to www.cbcfinc.org.
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and education institute to help improve the socioeconomic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities.
