New internship program designed for community-minded Buffs

CU Undergrads Gain Practical Experience in Public Service through Community Scholars Program

CU undergrads now have the opportunity to experience firsthand the dynamics of working within city government and community-based organizations, and to gain practical experience working alongside public service professionals. 

The Community Scholars Program

The Community Scholars Program, a public-service-learning opportunity launched this fall, places undergraduate students in paid community-based internships with the City of Boulder, other local government entities, and local nonprofit organizations. 

Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

By embedding them in public and nonprofit organizations, we are able to teach them about the critical roles of nonprofits and government. This program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Inaugural Cohort and Funding

In the inaugural cohort, 17 students were placed in paid internships matched to their interests. Students work 16 hours per week, with the potential to earn up to six credits. The program is funded in part by a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community Impact grant, a seed grant for programs that further one or more of the university’s DEI goals, including preparing students for a diverse democracy and community-building.

Enriched Internship Experience

The internship is enriched through weekly seminars, taught by Glen Krutz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of political science. These seminars feature briefings with a wide range of community leaders such as Boulder Mayor Aaron Brocket, Retired Judge Jean Dubofsky, and CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano. 

Benefits for Students and Community

According to Krutz, “Programs such as Community Scholars are true win-wins for the students and for the community. Students learn a ton about themselves and organizations that could provide career paths after college. Community leaders gain industrious students with fresh ideas and a normative goodness that is infectious, with the added benefit of a very diverse set of student backgrounds and demographics.”

Networking Opportunities

The Community Scholars Program also networks CU Boulder’s outstanding and diverse students with local public-service professionals. For Boulder County, students gained valuable experience working in the district attorney’s and county clerk’s offices. For the city, students build their resumes while exploring different types of jobs, including finance, community vitality, parks and recreation, utilities, the library, climate initiatives, and innovation & technology, contributing their ideas, time, energy, and abilities in service of important outcomes for Boulder.

Recognition from Boulder City Manager

“The City of Boulder recognizes the power of having a world-class university and a talented student body as part of our community,” Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde said. “This program allows us to tap into both while providing real-life learning opportunities in local government.”

Encouraging Civic Engagement

“Students who participate in this program will gain practical experience from government leaders who are passionate about public service. Ideally, they will emerge from the experience with concrete examples of how they contributed and grew and a desire to remain engaged in civic matters.”

Partnerships with Nonprofit Organizations

The Community Scholars Program also partners with nonprofit community organizations, including the I Have a Dream Foundation and Out Boulder. Students develop professional skills to promote adult literacy, as well as to advocate for teenagers experiencing economic hardships, education, and after-school programs. 

Testimonial from a Senior Intern

Senior Delaney Hartmann interns with the I Have a Dream Foundation and cites her most valuable takeaway as “having a better understanding of the social and institutional barriers to education for students from backgrounds of economic hardships.” 

Program Details

The Community Scholars Program is offered by the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Political Science, with support from the CU Boulder Office of Government and Community Engagement. The program runs each fall.

For More Information

For more information, visit CU in the City: Community Scholars.

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.