The American Democracy Project of IU South Bend (ADP) invites applications for SPRING 2023 DEMOCRACY FELLOWS.
Earn academic credit and/or hourly wages while making a difference!
Graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Check with Financial Aid about your work-study eligibility.
Review begins immediately and continues until positions are filled.
What is the American Democracy Project? The American Democracy Project (ADP) equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences required to make a meaningful difference in their communities. The ADP leads campus efforts for register, educate, and mobilize student voters, and works to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences required to participate actively in the political process and make a meaningful difference in their communities. The ADP is strictly non-partisan. Past interns have been Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, members of minor parties, and independents. Students from all partisan and ideological backgrounds are eligible to apply. To learn more go to https://www.iusb.edu/adp
How do I apply? Students who support free and fair elections, representative democracy and are ready to promote an informed and engaged electorate are encouraged to apply for a position as a 2022-2023 Democracy Fellow. Applicants should email Dr. Elizabeth Bennion at ebennion@iusb.edu.
What qualifications do Democracy Fellows need? Critical qualifications include:
- A demonstrated ability to work independently, complete projects, and meet deadlines.
- A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team.
- An ability to remain calm and diplomatic when discussing controversial political issues.
- A commitment to serve as an ambassador of the ADP and the university when interacting with students, staff, faculty, and community members – including journalists and politicians.
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, and Excel).
- A willingness to learn and use online team management programs (i.e. Asana) and time clocks (i.e. TIME).
- A strong commitment to civic engagement and a desire to help young people become politically engaged.
- Strong writing, oral communication, and critical thinking skills.
- Prior experience with event planning and/or community engagement is a plus.
- Interns with special skills (e.g. photography, graphic design, data analysis, data entry, public relations, marketing and communications, editing, grant writing, writing for the web) are needed. These skills can also be developed on the job.
- Prior success staffing American Democracy Project or other campus events is preferred, but not required.
- U.S. citizenship is not required to become a volunteer or for-credit democracy fellow.
What are the key benefits of serving as a Democracy Fellow? Key benefits include:
- Leadership experience
- Skill development
- Networking opportunities
- Resume enhancement
- Flexible (work-around-your-courses) schedule
- Convenient on-campus and remote office hours
- Increased competitiveness for scholarships and awards
- Opportunity to earn college credit civic engagement work
- Detailed recommendation letters for successful fellows
- Opportunities to empower voters and strengthen democracy
- Enhancement of your own civic and political knowledge
What positions are available? There are many initiatives you can lead:
- Voter Registration
- Voter Education
- classroom presentations, public presentations, tables, forums, & debates
- Online Voter Guide
- Graphic Design
- Communications and Marketing
- Public/Media Relations
- Social Media
- Campus-Community Partnerships
- Civic Skills & Leadership Programming
How much college credit can I earn? Students earn 1 credit for every 40 hours of ADP fieldwork. Hours include office hours and event/activity staffing. Hours are tracked in a weekly Canvas worklog and matched to task completion. Most students enroll in 2-3 credit hours. The internship may be repeated for up to 6 credits total.
Can I earn credit in my major? Yes, if the department allows it.
You may earn political science credit by enrolling in POLS Y481. The course counts as an upper-level U.S. politics course toward the major, minor, and graduation requirements.
Alternatively, you may enroll in a graphics design internship, photography internship, communications internship, or other course with the permission of your instructor of record and department chair. In this case Dr. Bennion will become your “site supervisor” and a faculty member in your home department will become your academic advisor and instructor of record for the internship class. Assignments will tailored to your major (though additional all-hands-on-deck assignments that require skills and activities outside of your main duties are expected of all interns).
How are the paid work-study positions funded? The Democracy Fellows program is funded through work-study grant money provided by private donors (in combination with work-study funding provided by the federal government). For details regarding starting hourly wages, contact Professor Bennion. Contact the Financial Aid Office to confirm your eligibility for work-study and to obtain your Work Study Authorization Form.
What are past ADP interns doing now? Past ADP interns are serving as attorneys, urban planners, communication directors, political lobbyists, social workers, corporate executives, and more. Despite their busy schedules and successful careers, they remain actively engaged in their communities.
Who should I contact if I have questions? Contact IU South Bend’s American Democracy Project Director, Dr. Elizabeth Bennion, at ebennion@iusb.edu.
What do past interns have to say about their experience?
“Before working with the American Democracy Project, my engagement with our democracy was limited to voting alone. Helping to engage others in an informational, non-partisan way has made me feel like an active participant like never before.”
– Joe Kurtz, Education Major (Fall 2022 Democracy Fellow)
“The American Democracy Project provided me with opportunities that kept me engaged on campus and in the community. This internship further demonstrated the importance of civic engagement in our democracy and fed my passion for politics.”
– Ashley Rose, Political Science Major (Fall 2022 Democracy Fellow)