A new internship program is starting up with The Maddy Institute and local community college students, allowing for paid positions for those students for the first time.
Students from the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) will join students at UC Merced, Fresno State, CSU Bakersfield and Stanislaus State in the program.
Driving the news: The Maddy Institute’s paid internship program has placed students in a variety of offices, including for Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) in Washington D.C. and Assemblymembers and State Senators in their Central Valley offices and in Sacramento.
- The program will now be open to the 61,000 students that are part of SCCCD across its campuses: Clovis Community College, Fresno City College, Madera Community College and Reedley College.
What they’re saying: “Community colleges provide a wide range of opportunities to students so they can have the futures they want,” said SCCCD Chancellor Carole Goldsmith. “Internships through the Maddy Institute will provide students with firsthand experience in government, public policy, and civic engagement. These internships will help students build relationships with policymakers and staffers in politics and public service, while enhancing their communication, research, writing, and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in many careers.”
- The Maddy Institute Executive Director Blake Zante said the institute is proud to partner with the SCCCD to expand opportunities for more students.
- “This bold new partnership will provide greater access to our legislative internship program, ensuring more students gain hands-on experience in public service,” Zante said. “With existing partnerships already in place with CSU Fresno, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Stanislaus, and UC Merced, this new collaboration serves as a blueprint for future partnerships with our region’s community colleges, further strengthening the pipeline of future leaders dedicated to serving the San Joaquin Valley.”
