1. What is Community Scholars?

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 grass roots non-profit corporation.

2. What is the vision of Community Scholars?

The vision is to develop regional community leaders. 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 new intellectual resources. By helping youth become involved and informed about their community, Community Scholars hopes to develop an understanding, pride, and commitment to the Paso Del Norte region that will lead toward a greater future progress.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 Scholar alumni have come from every district and just about every high school in El Paso.

6. 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 breaks down stereotypes and barriers held about certain schools and types of people.

7. 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, transportation, housing, water, credit, and other issues affecting the Paso del Norte region.

8. Where do the interns work?

First year interns attend training sessions at various venues. In the past, the El Paso Community College campuses, UTEP, and district headquarters have all been used as training facilities. The actual program uses a large computer lab(s) as a base of operations. In 2006 for example, the new Canutillo high school library/computer labs were used as the main workplace for the program which included over 50 people.

9. How does the community benefit from the projects?

The first and second year interns make a total of 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 the internet at www.communityscholars.org, as well as 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 senators, representatives, and organizations such as the Texas Education Agency, depending on the nature of their reports. Thus, this provides a process whereby current issues are presented before our elected officials in a professional manner by our future leaders. It is our belief that opportunities such as these are rare and add an immense experience and catalyst for the students to build upon as they continue their academic and social maturation.

10. 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 top students to participate in a rigorous, high-profile program outside of the regular school year. 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, intelligent youth.

11. How much do the students get paid for their work?

Students are all paid well above the minimum wage. First-year interns receive $7.50 per hour, second-year interns receive $8.50 per hour, and the college supervisors receive $10 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. We believe in establishing a high pay rate as incentive for these students to work hard, excel, and to be proud of their accomplishments. This will also provide them with a taste of the monetary rewards that accompany success. Hopefully this will encourage the students to continue their academic excellence as well as look forward to higher education and professional goals.

For more information please contact
Sofia Larkin, Executive Director
or Kwadwo Achampong, Program Coordinator

Community Scholars
200 N. Ochoa St.
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 533-6200
fax (915) 533-6207
email: sofia@communityscholars.org
www.communityscholars.org