2023-2024 Racial Justice Student Fellows Program and Application
Program Criteria and How to Apply
The ST. PETE TRHT Racial Justice Student Fellows Program is a joint initiative among Eckerd College and Stetson University College of Law, which began with support from the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg (FHSP).
Program Description
The purpose of the ST. PETE TRHT Racial Justice Fellows Program is to place students at the center of efforts to create systemic change, creating a pipeline for students to become involved in work related to anti-racist policy and movements, and racial healing and transformation. By supporting fellows financially and programmatically, ST. PETE TRHT aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders who can help build a more just and equitable society.
Students will participate in opportunities to learn about shaping policy and systems through a racial justice lens. They will learn about mechanisms that enable racial healing, and they will work on projects that support racial healing and transformation in our communities. The program requires up to 60 hours of time per semester and up to 120 hours for a part-time six-week summer internship.
Responsibilities
- Fellows will participate in biweekly planning meetings with ST. PETE TRHT representatives that are intended to shape the vision, goals and activities of a TRHT Center. They may also be invited to participate in other meetings at Eckerd College or the Stetson University College of Law, as well as meetings or convenings with community members.
- Over the course of the academic year, students will participate in events or discussions related to race equity and racial justice.
- Students may participate in Community Healing Conversations.
- Students will also be supported to find and complete a 6-week summer internship in Summer 2024 that focuses on deepening their understanding of the impact of systemic racism and influential opportunities to drive healing and transformation.
- Finally, both institutions may offer institution-specific opportunities:
- Eckerd College: Students will serve on a campus wide diversity committee and help implement strategic plan initiatives.
- Stetson University College of Law: Students will assist the Student Activities Office in implementing a cultural humility/cultural competence component to our Student Leadership Development Council and our general 1L Orientation program. They will also assist the Consortium by identifying potential Racial Justice internships with community organizations in the St Petersburg area, and assist us in designing a reading and video resource list on the racial history of St. Petersburg.
Internship
Students will be supported in their applications to summer or fall internships at nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government agencies in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County working on racial justice and equity. They will not be assigned to organizations, but will be guided through the application process and connected with partner organizations. Fellows are encouraged to think about the particular issues that they want to tackle and the organizations where they would like to intern. Internships should be at least 6 weeks and include 120 hours.
Support
Fellows will receive a $500 stipend for Fall semester and a $500 stipend for Spring semester. Students will also receive a $1,000 stipend for an approved summer or fall internship.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from students attending any higher education institution in Pinellas County, Florida, who have a demonstrated interest in working on issues of racial justice and healing. There is no GPA requirement. However, you must be a full-time student and be available to pursue and participate in racial justice internships in Summer 2024.
How to Apply
Application Deadline is: April 2, 2023
To apply, students should complete the digital application form, and email a transcript and resume to sphereconsortium@gmail.com no later than midnight on April 2, 2023 with the subject line stating: LAST NAME: Racial Justice Fellows Program Application.
Completed applications include the following:
- Response to application form questions
- Responses to the three essay questions within the application form. It is recommended that you prepare the responses in a separate document and paste them into the application form. Answers to each question should not exceed 500 words each.
Essay Questions:
1. Please share how your life experiences and social identities shape your interest in working on racial justice and equity?
2. How can students lead systemic change and anti-racist policy movement on their campus and in their communities?
3. Please share why and how you believe this fellowship will shape your leadership journey and/or career? A resume (emailed)
Finalists may be invited for a short virtual conversation about the program via Zoom.
