The Community Scholars vision is to cultivate intellectual and community capital for a stronger Paso del Norte Region.
The future of the Paso del Norte region hinges on the ability of those who live in it to collaborate on solutions to the problems that challenge us all. It will be important for our most capable community members to be active in creating policy and government infrastructure now and in the future. To this end, Community Scholars attempts to address the “brain drain” where El Paso’s best and brightest tend to leave El Paso to pursue life and interests in other cities, thereby draining the city of its intellectual resources. By helping youth become involved and informed about their community, Community Scholars is developing an understanding, pride, and commitment to the Paso Del Norte region that will lead toward a greater future progress.
Click on any of the questions below to find out more about our organization.
What is Community Scholars?
How does Community Scholars promote leadership development?
Who participates in Community Scholars?
How are the students selected?
How much do the students get paid for their work?
Where do the interns work?
How do the schools benefit from the program?
How does the program ensure geographic and ethnic/racial diversity?
How does the community benefit from the projects?
What types of projects do the students work on?
Other questions? Feel free to Contact Us!
Community Scholars is a youth leadership development internship program that provides public policy research opportunities for high school sophomores, juniors, and college students. The summer program began in 1998 and operates under Community Scholars, Inc., a locally run nonprofit corporation. (Back to Questions)
How does Community Scholars promote leadership development?
Students count the diversity of the program among its greatest attributes. Students are grouped with other students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and districts. This forms networks between academically motivated and socially conscious young people throughout the city. It also helps break down stereotypes and barriers held about certain schools and types of people. (Back to Questions)
Who participates in Community Scholars?
Participants are selected in their sophomore and junior year of high school. Those who successfully complete the first summer are invited to apply to return for a second summer, funding permitting. College students (former first and second year scholars) are hired to mentor and supervise the high school students during the summer program. (Back to Questions)
How are the students selected?
Applicants must demonstrate a record of academic rigor and community service as well as rank in the top 20% academically. The application they submit will include essay questions, general questions, and letters of recommendation. The process is very selective and helps prepare students for the competitive arenas in higher education and in their professional careers. (Back to Questions)
How much do the students get paid for their work?
Students are all paid more than minimum wage in recognition of the value of their work and their accountability for the quality of research. First-year interns receive $8.25 per hour, second-year interns receive $9.35 per hour, and the college supervisors receive $11 per hour. In training, students are also counseled by bankers and investors about financial accountability to help them learn how to make the most of their money now and in the future. This will also provide them with a taste of the monetary rewards that accompany success and encourage the students to continue their academic excellence as well as look forward to higher education and professional goals. (Back to Questions)
Where do the interns work?
First year interns attend training sessions at various venues, including local corporate office space. In the past, the El Paso Community College campuses, UTEP, and district headquarters, have all been used as training facilities. The Canutillo and Burges high school library and computer labs have been used as the main workplace for the program, which includes 40 people. (Back to Questions)
How do the schools benefit from the program?
Good schools care about the leadership development of their students, and the community has a vested interest in making sure they do. Community Scholars provides a unique avenue for students to participate in a rigorous, high profile program outside of the regular school year. It is an excellent resume builder, allowing students to compete for better colleges and universities. In many cities, opportunities such as these are abundant, and are instrumental for qualifying and preparing students for college or professional work. This is a similar opportunity for El Paso students and their representative schools to help develop responsible, confident, intelligent youth who are prepared to excel in higher education. (Back to Questions)
How does the program ensure geographic and ethnic/racial diversity?
The applicants are interviewed in pools from the districts in which they attend school. Applicants from the smaller districts are combined into one pool while applicants from the larger districts compete against students from their own district. This guarantees that students from the smaller districts are equally represented in the selection process. Thus far, Community Scholars alumni have come from every district and just about every high school in El Paso. (Back to Questions)
How does the community benefit from the projects?
The first and second year interns research and present at least five (if not more) individual topic presentations and one combined summary presentation of their research in July. All reports are then posted on our website and published in print. In February, Scholars from the preceding year take their published reports and presentations to the state capitol, Austin, where they present to legislators, commissioners, representatives, and agency heads. This provides a process whereby current issues are presented to our elected officials in a professional manner by our future leaders. Opportunities such as these are invaluable and add an immense experience and catalyst for the students to build upon as they continue their academic and social maturation. (Back to Questions)
What types of projects do the students work on?
Interns work in small groups on state government funding and policy issues. They learn how public policy decisions are made at the state and federal level and how they affect the local community. The topics primarily focus on healthcare, education, workforce development, infrastructure, and quality of life issues affecting the Paso del Norte region. (Back to Questions)
