Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Seeks
Applicants for Congressional Internships, Public Policy Fellowships,
Scholarships
Hispanic Students to Gain National Competitive Edge, Travel to
Washington, D.C., Expenses Paid
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s premier
Hispanic educational and youth leadership development organization,
today launch a national campaign,
with Wal-Mart
Stores, Inc. support, to help recruit Hispanic students —
college-bound, undergraduate and graduate — for its nationally
recognized programs.
Applications for CHCI’s Congressional Internship, Public Policy
Fellowship, HOGAR Housing Fellowship and Scholarship Programs are
available at
www.CHCI.org.
“For almost three decades, CHCI has made a difference in the
lives of young Hispanics – providing unparalleled, hands-on
leadership-development opportunities and a national competitive
edge,” said CHCI President and CEO Esther Aguilera.
“Wal-Mart believes that education generates changes, and we make
it a priority to contribute to the educational growth of our
associates and the people in the communities we serve,” said J. P.
Suarez, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, U.S.
Operations Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
"That is why we're proud to support CHCI's internship,
fellowships and scholarship programs. By engaging students in their
nationally recognized education efforts, CHCI is playing a pivotal
role in creating the next generation of Hispanic leaders."
The Congressional Internship Program provides college
students with Congressional placements on Capitol Hill, for a period
of eight weeks from June to August, to learn first-hand about our
nation’s legislative processes.
Interns are responsible for conducting extensive legislative
research, monitoring day-to-day hearings, managing constituent
communications and assisting with general office matters.
Additionally, interns participate in weekly CHCI leadership
development sessions, featuring panels and workshops, and meet with
corporate representatives, national elected officials and foreign
dignitaries. To complete the program, participants are required to
work on a collaborative community service project.
Interns are provided with housing, roundtrip transportation to
and from Washington, D.C., and a $2,000 stipend. The
Congressional Internship Program application deadline is
January 31, 2007.
CHCI’s Public Policy Fellowship Program, conducted from
September to May, provides college graduates national, hands-on
public policy experience in a congressional office, federal agency,
nonprofit sector, or corporate setting.
Fellows participate in weekly expert policy sessions, are
responsible for writing policy briefs, and organize expert
roundtables on issues of immediate importance, such as “Recruiting
and Retaining Quality Teachers for Hispanic Students” and “Language
Minorities and the Right to Vote.”
Fellowship participants are provided with healthcare insurance,
roundtrip transportation to and from Washington, D.C., and monthly
stipends of $2,200 and $2,600 respectively for undergraduate and
graduate degree recipients. The Public Policy Fellowship Program
application deadline is March 1, 2007.
With more than $1 million in need-based scholarships
awarded to Hispanic students since 2001, CHCI’s Scholarship
Program is available to students enrolled in a two – four year
accredited college or university. Students pursing an associate’s
degree may apply for a grant in the amount of $1,000; $2,500 for
bachelors candidates; $5,000 for graduate students. The
Scholarship Program application deadline is April 16, 2007.
The HOGAR Fellowship, Spanish for Hispanic Ownership, a
Growing American Reality, is a graduate fellowship program that aims
at increasing the number of Hispanics in the housing and financial
fields. HOGAR Fellows help create community housing events and
design products that both increase financial literacy and improve
consumer understanding of the mortgage process. The HOGAR
Fellowship application deadline is December 1, 2006.
“Through CHCI's Public Policy Fellowship, the theoretical
knowledge I gained in graduate school of the U.S. political process
was actualized,” said Nitza Escalera, CHCI Alumni and Assistant Dean
of Student Affairs, Fordham University School of Law.
“I learned how important it is for all to communicate with
elected officials and the power of voting. More importantly, I
learned the responsibility of teaching our communities about the
political process. Apply now, and make a difference.”
To be eligible, all program applicants must be U.S. citizens or
legal permanent residents, be a graduate or undergraduate student
with a 3.0 GPA, have remarkable leadership potential, and have
demonstrated a vast history and commitment to community and public
service.
This year, CHCI commemorates three anniversary milestones: 25th
Public Policy Fellowship; 20th Congressional Internship and 5th
Annual Scholarship Awards.
About Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Institute
Congressional
Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan
501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and
educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The
CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of
Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more
information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit
www.chci.org.
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