C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
PANETTA
CONGRESSIONAL
INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM
NICOLE RODRIGUEZ, INTERIM ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF
STUDENT SUCCESS
BRENDA MENDEZ, INTERIM ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
CAREER CENTER
C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
Overview of Program & History
• Founded in 1997 by Leon and Sylvia
Panetta, the Panetta Institute serves the
entire California State University system
plus several other schools
• The Panetta Institute provides a variety of
opportunities in government, politics and
public policy
• This is an unpaid opportunity, but housing,
meals, and transportation are all covered
by the Panetta Institute
• Students earn up to 20 units towards their
degree
Panetta Congressional Internship Program
C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
2019 DH Panetta Internship Selection Committee
The Committee includes both faculty and staff:
• Nicole Rodriguez, Student Success (Co-Chair)
• Lisa Mastramico, Communications
• Brenda Mendez, Career Center (Co-Chair)
• Bianca Murillo, History
• Marie Palladini, Public Administration
• Hamoud Salhi, College of Extended & International Education/Political Science
C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
Timeline
• Late January: Each CSU campus receives a formal invitation to participate and select their campus
representative; directly sent to the President’s office
• January-Mid February: The Panetta Internship selection committee, along with campus partners and faculty,
actively market opportunity. Interested students are directed to apply directly to the Career Center, where
applications are collected.
• Mid February: The Panetta Congressional Internship Committee, deliberate and select 6-8 candidates to
interview. Those candidates are interviewed and 3 are selected to be interviewed by the committee appointed
by the President
• Late February: Selected 3 candidates interview with President’s appointed committee and then select one
student to move on to an interview with the President
• End of February/Early March: The President sends the name of the selected candidate to the Panetta
Institute
• Mid March: Selected candidate is flown to the Panetta Institute in Monterey Bay to interview with Mrs. Sylvia
Panetta
• Early August: Selected candidate attends 2 weeks of intense training at the Panetta Institute. Directly after
training, the student is flown to Washington, D.C. and their internship begins
• Early November: Student returns to California
Program Logistics
C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
Program Logistics
Application Requirements
• The Panetta Congressional Internships is open to all majors
• Applicants must be a junior or senior the fall they will be participating in the internship
• Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
• Applicants must also be a U.S. Citizen and resident of California
• Applicant must not have more than 120 units
Application Process
• Students must fill out a one page application with contact information and 2 references (one
academic and one professional)
• Submit a graded paper
• Write a short 2 page essay explaining why they want to participate in the Panetta Internship Program
• Resume
• Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)
C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
2019 Recruitment Efforts & MarketingFall 2018-Spring 2019
• September: Hosted a panel that included past Panetta Intern (Jessica Zaragoza),
panel also included McNair, Sally Casanova, Mellon Mays, and Fulbright
representatives to share about each program and the opportunities offered.
• November: Hosted an information session for the Panetta Congressional Internship
during Internship Week
• December: Brenda met with interested applicants to start preparing for the application
window; sent a reminder email to targeted students over the holiday break to begin
preparing for application window (via email and also through the committee
representatives)
• January: Sent out reminder email to committee representatives and students
regarding the upcoming application launch
• February: Scheduled information session for the Panetta Congressional Internship
during spring Internship Week
C AL I F O R N I A S TATE U N I V E R S I TY , D O M I N G U E Z H I L L S
Past Panetta Intern
Cambria Rodriguez, Class of 2017-History
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