The Latino Fellows Public Policy Leadership Institute is designed to meet the needs of many young Latino College students attending higher education institutions in New Jersey. This institute represents a partnership with the Department of Community Affairs / Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development and the Center for Strategic Urban Community Leadership. This joint effort is aimed at providing opportunities for training and experiential learning to Latino college students, while encouraging them to pursue policy level positions in New Jersey, where Latinos represent the second largest population.

The Institute is designed to meet the need for role models, information, academic opportunities, and most importantly, the establishment of a community of Latino college students where professional achievement and leadership development is welcomed, understood, and fostered. In accomplishing its goals, the Institute trains Latino College students enrolled at New Jersey higher education institutions. It also promote the professional and academic advancement of Latino college students. This program provides New Jersey business leaders, educators, lawmakers and other influential representatives with a better understanding of the Latino population and the resources and services this population is able to provide if properly motivated and encouraged.

Goals

Train Latino College students for leadership positions in the
public policy arena.
Provide hands on experience through specialized internships.
Instill a positive attitude in Latino College students who have leadership
potential and to assist them in developing leadership skills that
complement those learned in the traditional learning environment and
workplace.
Provide professional training to Latino College students to access
opportunities into Graduate Schools of higher learning.

Participants are placed in an internship with a state agency; a banking institution, a corporation or a community based non-profit corporation four days per week. One day per week, participants attend an intensive leadership-training institute.

The training component of the program is designed and delivered by the Rutgers' Center for Strategic Urban Community Leadership. The program extends ten-weeks, beginning on June through August and is funded through the Department of Community Affairs / Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development.