WHEREAS, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges is dedicated to fostering professional growth among students, as outlined in its Values Statement, which emphasizes "prioritizing leadership development and educational opportunities … to enhance the prosperity of the CCC system and California" [1];
WHEREAS, California's community college system serves a diverse student body, with over 70% of students being people of color [2, 3] and an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 undocumented students [4], who often face unique challenges in accessing career-building opportunities; internships and job experiences are vital for students' career development and transferability to four-year institutions, with research indicating that internship participation significantly improves post-graduation employment prospects and job offer rates [5, 6];
WHEREAS, Paid internships are crucial for economically disadvantaged student, offering both career development and financial support; moreover, work experience can enhance students’ qualifications for transfer by applying classroom knowledge, developing professional skills, and building industry networks [7]; and
WHEREAS, Existing programs such as College Corps [8] and the Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program provide support for students, including up to $10,000 in education awards for 450 hours of service through College Corps [9] and up to $4,500 per academic year for qualifying students who complete community service or volunteer work through the Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program [9], but their availability varies across campuses [11], leading to inconsistent support for the student population; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the California Community College Chancellor's Office to explore the enhancement and expansion of existing internship and job opportunity programs for California Community College students, with a focus on improving inclusivity, accessibility, and equitable distribution of opportunities across all campuses;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the California Community Colleges and their respective districts to create paid student fellowships and concurrently advocate to the California State Legislature and California Community College Chancellor’s Office allocate funding towards this initiative;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage the California Community Colleges and their respective districts to strengthen and diversify partnerships with organizations, including local businesses, non-profits, and government agencies, to create a broader range of paid internship and job opportunities that complement students' academic pursuits and career aspirations, while addressing the specific needs of all student groups, including those facing systemic barriers to professional development, within the constraints of available resources and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges support bills similar to AB 1370 (2023, Ta) [12] and AB 634 (2023, Ward) [13] that aim to enhance career development and workforce preparation opportunities.
Citations:
[1] SSCCC - Mission, Vision, and Values
[2] CCC Chancellor's Office - Data Mart (2023-2024) Annual Term: Ethnicity
[4] Immigrants Rising - California Community Colleges Dreamers Project
[6] CCC Workforce and Economic Development Division - Memorandum (8/30/2023)
[8] California Volunteers - College Corps
[9] California Volunteers - 450 hours of service; Up to $10k in Education Awards
[10] California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) - Overview of Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program
[11] California Volunteers - College Corps Implementation Across CCC Campuses
[12] AB 1370 (Asm. Ta) - California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Program.
[13] AB 634 (Asm. Ward) - Community colleges: career development and college preparation courses.