2010 Archive

WASHINGTON, DC - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., (CBCF) welcomed 42 undergraduate students and recent graduates from across the country to its Summer Congressional Internship Program. The students will spend the next two months working in a congressional office where they will have the opportunity to observe first-hand how the Hill works and legislation is developed. Interns will participate in a summer-long Model Congress, lead a community service project that serves D.C., and create a community action plan that outlines how to bring positive change to their home communities. Their interns will record their experiences on CBCF’s new blog, cbcfinc.org/blog.

CBCF created the Congressional Internship Program in 1976 to address the underrepresentation of black professional staff on Capitol Hill. Today, in addition to the Congressional Internship Program, CBCF has two other internship programs for college students and recent college graduates who are interested in building a career in government and public service. These programs run during the fall and spring semesters. CBCF internship programs are described as one of the top public policy training experience 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 a congressional office, the program prepares the next generation to be decision makers in the policy making process.”

Since its inception, more than 1,200 students have participated in Foundation internships. “This year we accepted less than 25 percent of those who applied for the summer internship program,” said Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., manager of CBCF’s Public Service Leadership Institute. “We yielded a very qualified and focused group of students from the pool.” To view the Class of 2010 go to http://www.cbcfinc.org/cbcf-congressional-interns--summer-2010.html

CBCF’s internships programs are open to full-time and recent college graduates. For more information on criteria and deadlines, go to www.cbcfinc.org.