GVPT Undergraduate Newsletter

1. Fall 2009 Internship with CHIP Internship Program

Apply for a Fall 2009 Internship with the CHIP Internship Program!

The CHIP Internship Program is designed for students of all academic disciplines who are interested in teaching in today’s elementary or secondary schools. Chillum interns will design and teach a course for the CHIP Afterschool Program at Chillum Elementary School two afternoons a week while learning about teaching methods, lesson planning, and classroom management. Interns will earn three academic credits as well as valuable experience working with school-aged children.

To be eligible for the Fall 2009 intern cohort, students must have at least 45 credits earned by the beginning of the Fall 2009 semester and afternoon availability two days per week (Mondays and Wednesdays OR Tuesdays and Thursdays) for the entire semester.

If interested, apply online at http://www.arhu.umd.edu/studentresources/ChillumInternForm.html. The application deadline is September 11, 2009. We have a limited number of internship slots available, so apply today!

For more information, please contact Robert Crane at rcrane@umd.edu or Dawn Smith at dsmith19@umd.edu.

2. Internship Opportunity with Campaign for Annapolis Delegate

Candidate Judd Legum seeks interns to work for his campaign for Annapolis delegate during the Fall semester. Legum was formerly the research director for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Center for American Progress. Legum seeks part-time interns who can work from 2-3 days per week.

Duties: Intern will work directly with the candidate on all aspects of the campaign intern field. From communications, political outreach, finance and online.

Qualifications: Experience helpful, but not required. Enthusiasm and energy non-negotiable. Ability to travel to Annapolis preferred.

Application Process: Interested candidates should send resume to care of Judd Legum at judd@juddlegum.com

3. Spring 2010 White House Internship

We are pleased to announce that the application for the 2010 Spring Internship is now available at whitehouse.gov/about/internships. Applications are due September 20, 2009. The application includes two essays, three letters of recommendation and a resume. Each applicant will be evaluated on three basic qualities: a commitment to public service, demonstration of leadership in the community and dedication to the mission of this Administration. The applicantâ€™s communication, writing and office skills will also be reviewed and considered. An applicantâ€™s GPA is not figured into the final score, and each application is reviewed on a semi-blind basis. If you know of someone who would like to apply, please direct them to this site. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Rachel Haltom @ Rachel_Haltom-Irwin@who.eop.gov, or reference our website at whitehouse.gov/about/internships.

4. Center for American Politics and Citizenship

The Center for American Politics and Citizenship (CAPC), with the Department of Government and Politics, is launching the Maryland Internship Program, a comprehensive program focused on State government that will allow students to integrate what they learn in the classroom with real world experience in the political process. 15-20 highly-qualified undergraduate students will be placed in internships in State government offices. Course credit and stipends will be earned by participants for attending weekly seminars and completing various assignments, aside from their internship responsibilities. For more information, or if you are interested in participating, please contact Michael Charlebois at mcharleb@capc.umd.edu or by phone at 301-314-2736. You can visit the program's website at http://www.capc.umd.edu/MIP/

The Summer '09 edition of In The Public Interest, the official newsletter of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship (CAPC), has recently been released. It contains updates on recent and current CAPC projects, as well as information on the Center's Advisory Board, staff, and student research assistants. The newsletter can be found here: http://www.capc.umd.edu/newsletter/InThePublicInterest9_1.pdf

5. Annapolis Delegate Roger Manno seeks Fall 2009 Interns

Delegate Manno's office in Annapolis, MD is in need of interns for the Fall 2009 interim session.

Responsibilities: Interns will be answering phones, facilitating constituent and interest group correspondence, attending events, aiding the Delegate in developing legislation, and assisting the Delegate and his staff in various other projects.

Requirements: Interns must be able to multitask and be comfortable working in a fast-paced office. Applicants must have a desire to do legislative work and make a difference. In addition, the Delegate is seeking full-time interns for the 2010 General Session from January through April of 2010 in Annapolis. Experience with Microsoft Applications is recommended.

Application Process: Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to MannoInternships@gmail.com.

6. Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. seeks Fall 2009 Interns

The office of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) is looking for interested students to fill internship vacancies for the Fall 2009. The start date would be immediate, and the internship would continue throughout the fall semester, dependent on the students’ availability. The office is looking for undergraduate students, specifically with ties to NJ and the 6^th Congressional District, who are interested in the legislative process and enhancing their knowledge of the nation’s government.

Duties: Interns will help answer phones, sort mail, draft constituent correspondence, attend hearings, help with legislative research, and assist in daily office administrative duties.

The office is hoping to have students fill open spots on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Application Process: Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter to Stephanie Albanese at Stephanie.albanese@mail.house.gov.

7. Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance Program

The Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance program at the University of Maryland is designed to help students avoid dropping out of school when faced with unforeseen financial difficulties. Dreamkeepers can help ease student worries about housing, food and utilities, books, transportation, childcare and medical needs, allowing students faced with sudden financial obstacles to focus their energy on education.

Developed by Scholarship America with support from Lumina Foundation for Education and the Wal-Mart Foundation, the Dreamkeepers program provides students with emergency funding to allow them to remain in school and obtain a post-secondary education.

For further information about Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance, please see your Financial Aid Counselor, call 301-314-9000 or visit www.financialaid.umd.edu or http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/scholarships/dreamkeepers.html.

8. Studying Abroad Scholarships

This week's announcement features two scholarships for students planning study abroad for SPRING SEMESTER 2010. (Please Note: Maryland's Winter Term study abroad courses are NOT eligible for these scholarships.)

1. Gilman International Scholarship for Study Abroad World-Wide during Spring Semester 2010 - PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS ONLY - Deadline: Oct. 6, 2009

2. Bridging-Japan Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan ONLY during Spring Semester 2010 - Deadline: Oct. 6, 2009

LAST SPRING MARYLAND HAD 4 GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (50% of applicants successful) AND 2 BRIDGING-JAPAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (33% of applicants successful)!

If you are interested in learning more about these scholarships or applying please read the descriptions below and use the provided email addresses to contact us.

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1. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS - Spring Semester Study Abroad

World-wide FOR PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS

Who Can Apply: US Citizens - Pell Grant Recipients - Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors - All Majors - GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended

Minimum Study Abroad Program Length - 4 weeks (28 days) - Maryland's Winter Term Courses are NOT Eligible

IMPORTANT: Applicants MUST be Pell Grant recipients or be eligible for a Pell Grant during the planned semester or year of study abroad.

CONTACT THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICE AT gilman@umd.edu to learn more and for assistance with the application process.

Description: Sponsored by the US State Department, the Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for approximately 1,200 U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies world-wide. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world. The scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grants and aims to support a diverse range of students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad. Fall, spring and academic year study abroad programs are eligible (summer programs are not eligible).

Award : Over 1,200 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being $4,000. Students are also eligible to receive an additional $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement from the Gilman Program if their study abroad plans involve studying any of the following critical languages:Arabic (all dialects), Chinese (all dialects), Turkish, Persian, Languages of India and Pakistan, Korean, Russian.

National Deadline: October 6, 2009 - This is the deadline for students applying to study abroad programs beginning between beginning between

December 15, 2009 and April 15, 2010, for Spring semester or an academic year (two semesters).

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2. BRIDGING-JAPAN SCHOLARSHIPS - SPRING SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD IN JAPAN ONLY

Who can apply: US Citizens or Permanent Residents - Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors - GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended - All Majors

Application Deadline: October 6, 2009

Minimum Study Abroad Program Length: ONLY semester and year-long programs are eligible for Bridging awards. Maryland's Winter Term Courses are NOT Eligible

IMPORTANT: Prior Japanese language study is NOT a prerequisite.

CONTACT THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICE AT bridging_japan@umd.edu to learn more and for assistance with the application process.

Description: The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging program offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. The goal of the Bridging Project is to promote study abroad in Japan by larger numbers of American undergraduate students. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 100 scholarships annually to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships.Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad.

Award Amount: Bridging Scholarship recipients receive a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs). Students studying in Japan on summer programs are not eligible to apply.

National Deadline: October 6, 2009 - For students applying to study abroad programs beginning between December 2009 and April 2010, for a semester or an academic year.

9. Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honors Society) Membership Meeting

Pi Sigma Alpha is the only honor society for college students with political science or government majors in the United States. PSA is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and is designated as a “Specialized, Upper-Division” society by ACHS.

Membership benefits include a chance to further cultivate relationships with your GVPT professors by attending Dinner and Discussion forums; tours of governmental institutions; and potential grant and essay award opportunities.

Eligible and interested individuals are invited to an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30 PM in the main conference room of 3104 Tydings. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Enrollment forms will be available at the meeting as well as in the GVPT advising office. Those ineligible this semester will have another opportunity to join in the Spring.

Membership Requirements:

1. Registered as a Government & Politics major

2. Completed at least 56 credits

3. Completed at least 10 credits of GVPT coursework and one upper-level (300-400) GVPT class

4. GPA in GVPT of 3.5 or greater, overall GPA 3.4 or greater.

Enrollment also requires dues of $45.00 – this is a lifetime membership payment. Checks should be payable to “Pi Sigma Alpha.” Enrollment forms and fees may be submitted at the meeting or to Ms. Anne Marie Poblador in the GVPT advising office (3104 Tydings Hall) by Monday, October 5, 2009.

Please contact umdpsa@gmail.com with any questions!

10. Student Essay Contest

Call for Student Essays $1000 Award!

The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. in collaboration with the African American Studies Department at the University of Maryland, College Park is conducting an essay contest as part of the Annual Legislative Weekend held in Annapolis, MD. The essay contest will focus on one of the Legislative Black Caucus’ priority areas: Environmental Matters. Environmental matters cover agriculture and land preservation, energy, air and water pollution, toxins, recycling and waste, hazard waste sites, climate change, resource depletion, conservation, land use, and nuclear issues. President Obama’s appointment of Lisa P. Jackson to head the Environmental Protection Agency highlights the importance of environmental justice. Administrator Jackson is the first African American to serve in this position. Ensuring that underserved communities receive fair environmental protection under the law is among her several priorities.

We are inviting students to submit essays encouraging the Legislative Black Caucus to support public policies to improve the environment. Specifically, the essay should address the following: Please identify an environmental issue relevant to Maryland. Briefly describe it. Discuss how this environmental issue affects African American communities? Identify policies that the State should adopt to address this environmental issue.

Essays should be approximately 3-5 pages (approximately 1,000 words) double-spaced and include a cover page with your name, university affiliation and contact information. Citations and format should follow a humanities style such as MLA or Chicago. Please do not include your name or any other means of identification in the pages of the essay submitted. Essays are due by Monday, September 21, 2009 and should be emailed directly to: dbennett@house.state.md.us or dropped off/mailed directly to:

Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. Attn: Deriece Bennett / 6 Bladen Street, Room 300 / Annapolis, MD 21401

Winning essayists must be available to join us on October 3, 2009 for the Saturday evening gala held during the Annual Legislative Weekend at the Westin Annapolis Hotel, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, Maryland. An award for the outstanding student essay will be given during this event.

For further questions or inquiries, please contact Deriece Bennett by email: dbennett@house.state.md.us or by phone: 410-841-3185