By Melissa Clarke
on May 25, 2023
Through a paid fellowship program, uAspire supports college students to build advocacy skills and execute campaigns to influence leaders with changes needed in higher education affordability and equity.
Over the course of a semester, fellows develop the knowledge and skills to work with those in power to influence policy. This includes meeting with government officials, writing and submitting press materials, and researching policy issues. Fellows are based in California, Massachusetts, and New York.
Commitment
The time commitment is approximately 8 hours a week. Fellows are supported by uAspire policy directors to complete written advocacy projects and participate in meetings with government offices. Fellows will participate in video-conference trainings, virtual team meetings, and independent work to do policy research and advocacy.
Schedule
Fellowship runs from September 13, 2023, through December 16, 2023. Fellows attend a weekly meeting with a policy director, and participate in virtual cohort meetings that occur every other week on Tuesdays, 4 - 5 pm ET on the following dates:
- September 12 and 26
- October 10 and 24
- November 7
- December 5
Fellows participate in two in-person events:
- September 15, 9 am - 1:30 pm ET: In-person orientations in Boston, New York City, or Sacramento
- TBD: In-person advocacy day to be hosted based on fellows’ class schedule and legislator availability
Eligibility
Applicants must be college undergraduates who are 18+ years old. Students must be Pell Grant recipients or hold DACA/TPS status, and be full or part-time students with at least two semesters' credit attending college in California, Massachusetts, or New York.
uAspire is committed to building a policy fellows cohort with diverse lived and college-attending experiences that equips our team to advance student-centered change in higher education policy. Candidates are curious about policymaking, outspoken about their ideas, passionate about making change, and committed to issues of equity in higher education!
Location
Virtual engagement with teammates from California, Massachusetts, and New York. Requires access to the internet and a laptop with a video camera for web conferencing. There will be two required in-person events in Boston, Sacramento, New York City and/or Albany. uAspire will cover the cost of travel.
Compensation
$500/month stipend for completion of program projects
If you would like to be considered, please complete this application, estimated to take approximately one hour. The application deadline is 11:59 pm ET, Friday, June 23, 2023. Applicants can expect to hear from uAspire on the status of their application by July 14.
Questions? Please reach out to Melissa Clarke, New York policy director, at melissac@uaspire.org.