The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) for students is a paid nine-week internship program that connects college undergraduates to communities through local political experiences and prepares them to lead and advocate for the civic engagement and political empowerment of Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) on their campuses and beyond.
As the fastest growing community in the United States, APIs are underrepresented in the leadership of the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Founded in 1991, CLA (formerly known as California Asian American Student Internship Coalition) sought to develop a pipeline of leaders in the API community. Since then, over 30 cohorts of CLA graduates have gone on to leadership positions on their campuses, run for political office, and become leaders who shape policy through their work in politics, business, and nonprofits.
Program Duration: June 24th, 2024 - August 23rd, 2024
Location: CLA will be an in-person, full-time program (5 days per week: 2 days at the CAUSE Los Angeles Office, 3 days with a Host Office Placement)
Time Commitment: Each intern commits to and receives a full-time internship experience (about 40 hours per week). Hours will be confirmed upon acceptance into the program.
Stipend: Each intern will receive a $4,000 stipend upon satisfactory completion of the program.
For full consideration, applicants must ensure both Application and Letter of Recommendation are received by Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Through CLA, interns gain a deeper understanding of the civic issues facing the API community in California, explore civic engagement career paths across sectors, and connect to a network of API advocates. These goals are achieved through the four major components of the program:
CIVIC LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS
Two days a week will be dedicated to developing leadership skills and expanding understanding of civic engagement with CAUSE staff and its network of API leaders.
HoST OFFICE PLACEMENT
Each intern will be placed in a public, private, or non-profit host office in Southern California. Interns will learn about and support civic engagement efforts with their Host Office while gaining professional experience three days a week.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
Interns will work together to develop, plan, and execute a mock campaign. This project includes researching local API issues, engaging with constituents, developing a policy platform, and practicing skills necessary for running a campaign.
CAPITOL SUMMIT
Interns will travel to the State Capitol and engage with elected officials and legislative staff who advocate for API communities.
PROGRAM FOCUS AREAS
Each program component spotlights one or more of the 4 following program focus areas:
API ISSUES
CLA Interns will meet with community leaders for in-depth discussions on current issues impacting the API community and policy solutions. Topics in the past have included: anti-API hate, data disaggregation, education, healthcare, energy and the environment, workforce development, transportation, and housing.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
In addition to learning the mechanics of running a campaign, CLA interns will also have opportunities to meet influential community and government leaders in California. Through these conversations, speakers across sectors will share their personal experiences advocating for the API community, finding their career path, and advancing their policy advocacy skills.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CLA Interns will develop and refine essential professional skills that prepare them to transition into the workforce and forge a career pathway that includes civic engagement. These skills will strengthen their leadership on campus, within their communities, and throughout their careers. Past sessions include communications, resume writing, interviewing, and financial literacy.
NETWORKING
The CAUSE network is comprised of leaders dedicated to the political and civic empowerment of the API community. CLA Interns will connect with each other, guest speakers, and the larger CAUSE network. CLA Interns will also be invited to exclusive networking, political, and community events.
program goals
By the program’s end, interns will not only have new skills, knowledge, and networks, but also will have experience advocating for API issues and communities.
Deepened their understanding of issues that impact the API community
Explored civic leadership career paths
Developed professional experience and skills to be effective in political advocacy and campaign support
Connected to the CAUSE network
INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
ALL CLA APPLICANTS MUST:
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Be a current student with at least one year of college completed or a recent college graduate by the program start (Class of 2023)
Be able to attend and actively participate in all mandatory events
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
TRANSPORTATION
All interns will be responsible for their own transportation. Limited flight vouchers may be offered to help with the cost of travel. Interns will be required to commute to and from their Host Office Placement, weekly Civic Leadership Workshops, various mandatory meetings/events, and Civic Engagement Project meetings on an as-needed basis.
HOUSING
Accepted interns are required to secure their own housing in Southern California for the duration of the program.
MEALS
Interns will be responsible for their own meals. CAUSE will provide meals for major program events, such as the Orientation Retreat, Capitol Summit, and Graduation.
**Please note: CLA is planned to be an in-person internship. Participants will be required to COVID-19 test whenever they meet for Civic Leadership Workshop days and mask until they have a confirmed negative test result. If participants test positive or are exposed to COVID-19, they should be prepared to be virtual with their own computer and internet access.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS
APPLICANTS MUST:
Short Response #1: CAUSE's mission is to advance the political and civic empowerment of the API community. Why are you interested in the CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA)? What do you hope to learn or gain from this internship program? What is your interest or experience in civic engagement and political activism?
Short Response #2: Tell us about a past experience that shaped your views on community or an API issue that you are passionate about.
Short Response #3: CLA places interns in a public, private, or non-profit host office serving the Greater Los Angeles area. Which kind of host office are you most interested in and why? What is your interest in doing this work in Southern California?
Short Response #4: Share an experience that has shaped your approach to leadership. Your experience can be in a formal or informal roles (e.g. president of a student organization or oldest sibling).
Short Response #5: Please share anything else you would like the selection committee to consider.
For full consideration, applicants must ensure both Application and Letter of Recommendation are received
by Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Event
Application Opens
Application Closes
Interviews Announced
Candidate Interviews
Cohort Announced
Orientation Week
Capitol Summit
Graduation
Date
Mid - Late October 2023
Sunday, January 28th, 2024
Mid-February 2024
Early March 2024
April 2024
June 24, 2024
Week of August 5, 2024
August 23, 2024
2023 Interns
Our internship is highly selective and each intern is selected based on their demonstrated academic and personal excellence, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and a commitment to serving their community. Learn more about the 2023 CLA interns and their Host Office Placements below.
PAST HOST OFFICE PLACEMENTS
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL)
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE)
Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE)
Flix Bus
Office of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
Office of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta, External Affairs
Office of Congressman Adam Schiff
Office of Congressman Jimmy Gomez
Office of Congressman Ted W. Lieu
Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu
Office of Congresswoman Young Kim
Office of Assemblymember Mike Fong
Office of Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi
Office of Senator Ben Allen
CA Governor’s Office of External Affairs
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
KCAL Insurance Agency
Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement
Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC)
past speakers
Charmaine Albano Mills
Legislative Director, Office of Assemblymember Gail Pellerin
Martha Alvarado
Community Relations & Communications Project Specialist, SoCalGas
Gary Arakawa
Partner, Cerity Partners
Former CAUSE Board Member
Ralph Barnes
COO, Kidspace Children's Museum, CAUSE Board Member
Kiran Bhalla
Project Director, AAPI Equity Alliance
Jamie Borbon
Project Manager, SoCalGas
Byron Briones
Legislative Aide, Office of Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez; 2021 CLA Alumni
John Bwarie
Chief Executive Officer, Alhambra Chamber of Commerce
Wendy Castro
East Area Representative, LA Mayor’s Office
Richard C. Chang
Data Analytics Director, NHPI Data Policy Lab at UCLA
Christian Chavarin
Caseworker and Intern Coordinator, Office of Congressman Jimmy Gomez
Annie Chean
Policy Director, Office of City Councilmember Suely Saro of the City of Long Beach; 2023 CLI Alumni
Kent Chen
Senior Business Analyst, SoCalGas
Cecilia Chen
Principal, Cerity Partners
Barney Cheng
Board Member, PFLAG SGV API
Captain Don Crowther
Captain, City of Arcadia Police Department
Shekinah Deocares
Community Organizer and Case Manager, Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC)
Jessica Duong
Chief of Staff, Office of Assemblymember Phil Ting
Kristin Fukushima
Managing Director, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC)
Susan Har
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Hate Crimes Coordinator, United State Attorney's Offices
Misha Hassan
Board Co-Chair, Satrang
Amy Ho
Legislative Assistant, Office of Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (AD55); 2019 CLA Alumni
Wen Hong
Treasurer, CAUSE Board of Directors; Principal, Pacific Rim Advisory Board
James Hsu
CAUSE Board Member; Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
Thuy Huyhn
Chief of Staff + Associate Director, UCLA Community Programs Office
Hyepin Christine Im
Founder, President, and CEO, Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE); 2016 CLI Alumni
Travis Kaya
Associate, Richards Watson Gershon, Treasurer, APABA
Serapia Kim
Field Representative and Digital Assistant, Office of U.S. Congressmember Jimmy Gomez; 2022 CLI Alumni
Victor King
CAUSE Board Member, Legal Counsel, California State University, Los Angeles
Edward Kusama
Asset Management Supervisor, SoCalGas
Sophia Kwang Kim
Chief of Staff, Office of Assemblymember Mike Fong
Heidi Lau
Stop Hate Program Manager, Asian Youth Center
Jimmy Lee
Strategic Public Policy Manager, SoCalGas
Jason Liang
Partner and Founder, Liang Ly LLP;
APABA
Allison Lim
Chief of Staff, Office of Assemblymember Alex Lee
Dr. May Lin
Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies, CSU Long Beach
Samuel Liu
Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of California State Senator Ben Allen
Milton Liu
Interim Executive Director, Asian American Media Alliance, WGA
The Honorable Henry Lo
Councilmember, City of Monterey Park
Nina Long
Government Relations Associate, Flixbus; 2019 CLA Alumni
Fran Lujan
Museum Director, Pacific Islander Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM)
Phong Luu
Principal, Cerity Partners
The Honorable Jeffrey Koji Maloney
Councilmember, City of Alhambra; Chief Staff Counsel, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
Diana Morales
District Director, Office of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
Bao Nhia Moua
Associate Director of Institute Operations, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
Dr. Andrew Murphy
President, Asian Dems of LA County; 2018 CLI Alumni
Trisha Muse
Director of Community Relations, SoCalGas
Erika Ngo
Legislative Director, Office of Assemblymember Ash Kalra; 2017 CLA Alumni
Khai Nguyen
Financial and Strategic Planning Manager, SoCalGas
Tyler Nguyen
Product Manager, SoCalGas
Eda Niño
Associate, Cerity Partners
Connie Oh
Inclusive Excellence Coordinator, PHIT Department at UC Irvine
The Honorable Paul P. Cheng
Mayor, City of Arcadia
Annie Pham
Special Assistant to the Speaker, California State Assembly
Dr. Juily Phun
Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies, California State University, Los Angeles
Godfrey Plata
Deputy Director, LA Forward
Zack Ritter
Vice President of Advancement, Jewish World Watch
Marissa Roy
President, California Women's List
Dr. Sara Sadhwani
Assistant Professor of Politics, Pomona College
Alex Saikili
Associate, Cerity Partners
The Honorable Jose Sanchez
Mayor, City of Monterey Park
The Honorable Suely Saro
Councilmember, City of Long Beach City Council
Edwin Saucedo
Director of External Affairs, Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta
Dan Schnur
CAUSE Board Member; Professor, University of California, Berkeley and USC
Arali Seneviratne
Intern, APICA and the Office of Assemblymember Ash Kalra; 2022 CLA Alumni
Fatima Shahnaz Iqbal-Zubair
Chair Progressive Caucus, California Democratic Party
Suneel Singh
Project Manager, SoCalGas
Dr. Raphael Sonenshein
Former Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles
Jason Song
Portfolio Lead, EY; 2020 CLI Alumni
Gil Soto
Director, Gas Operations and Construction, SoCalGas
Ben Spangenberg
Leadership Program Director, Respectability
Randi Stover
Deputy City Manager, City of Alhambra
Scott Swanson
Partner, Cerity Partners
The Honorable Brian Tabatabai
Councilmember, City of West Covina
Jennifer Tang
District Director, Office of Assemblymember Mike Fong
Stephanie Tom
Deputy Treasurer, California State Treasurer’s Office
Benjamin Tran
Policy Strategist, AJSOCAL; 2022 CLI Alumni; 2018 CLA Alumni
Fiona Truong
JD Candidate, Loyola Marymount University, Law School, 2021 CLA Alumni
Janet Uradomo
Board Member, PFLAG SGV API
Matthew Vu
Training Coordinator, The People's Project - LA County Federation of Labor; 2020 CLA Alumni
Nathan Vuong
Volunteer Operations Analyst, AJSOCAL
Jason Wang
Senior Engineer, SoCalGas
Don Widjaja
Vice President, Customer Solutions, SoCalGas
Crystal Williams
Community Relations Manager, SoCalGas
Ayano Wolff
Attorney, APA Women Lawyers Association; APABA
Ben Wong
Secretary, CAUSE Board of Directors; Public Affairs Consultant, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Bill Wong
Consultant, Bill Wong LLC
The Honorable Thomas Wong
Councilmember, City of Monterey Park
Charlie Woo
CAUSE Board Chair; Owner, Megatoys
Rae Xu
Supervisor, Customer Insights & Analytics, SoCalGas
Robert Yap
CAUSE Board Member; Vice President of Gen Mobile, Dish Networks
The Honorable Betty Yee
Former State Controller, State of California
The Honorable Yvonne Yiu
Councilmember, City of Monterey Park
PAST CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS
What Alumni Say
READ ABOUT THE 2023 CLA PROGRAM EXPERIENCE
The 2024 Leadership Academy is Supported by
PRESIDENTIAL
senatorial
CONGRESSIONAL
GUBERNATORIAL
Asian Women Leadership in Philanthropy Fund