Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with Nancy Miller Gomez, Santa Cruz Poet Laureate–Poetry & Community Engagement Intern 2025-2026
We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This internship is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed Humanities major or minor and requires work authorization.
Application Deadline: May 11, 2025
The Humanities Experiential Career Exploration and Learning (EXCEL) Program connects undergraduate Humanities majors and minors with community partners for paid internships. Fellows gain valuable professional experience while exploring potential career paths.
Internship Details
Partner Mentor: Nancy Miller Gomez, Santa Cruz Poet Laureate
Location: Hybrid
Duration: Academic Year 2025–26
Hours: 15 hours/week
Pay: $20/hour
What You’ll Do – Poetry & Community Engagement Intern
Two interns will work together with the Poet Laureate, and final duties may be finessed during Summer 2025 to fit your strengths and experience. The internship involves interfacing and connecting with the Santa Cruz County community in a variety of ways, which can include:
- Youth Engagement and Workshop Facilitation (50%):
- Develop and lead poetry workshops for underserved youth, including LGBTQ+ youth, youth impacted by the justice system, and those in juvenile hall.
Assist with lesson plan development, curriculum creation, and material preparation. - Co-teach or help facilitate youth workshops in schools and facilities.
- Organize a youth leadership team to publish a collection of student work
- Plan a celebration/reading event for the youth publication.
- Develop and lead poetry workshops for underserved youth, including LGBTQ+ youth, youth impacted by the justice system, and those in juvenile hall.
- Newsletter Creation and Community Event Promotion (15%):
- Create a monthly or bi-weekly newsletter ("The Elegant Turn" on Substack).
- Research and gather information about upcoming poetry-related community opportunities (book launches, readings, workshops, events).
- Compile event info and visuals for the newsletter.
- Assist in the design and creation of the newsletter.
- Maintain and update the recipient database
- Communicate with newsletter respondents as needed.
- Community Engagement and Program Development Meetings (15%):
- Participate in regular (bi-monthly) community meetings with local poets and stakeholders.
Brainstorm new ideas and programs. - Recruit volunteers.
- Collaborate on ways to expand poetry’s reach throughout Santa Cruz County.
- Participate in regular (bi-monthly) community meetings with local poets and stakeholders.
- Community Organization Collaboration (10%):
- Interface with staff at local institutions (Library, Parks & Rec, Arts Council, County Office of Education, etc.)
- Support and co-facilitate poetry programs across the county through these partnerships.
- Project Evaluation and Planning (10%):
- Help assess which proposed poetry initiatives would most benefit the community.
- Potentially support future implementation of projects like poetry walks, poetry in parks, poetry on buses, or a poetry festival.
- Humanities EXCEL Programming: Attend two cohort meetings each quarter when possible and participate in asynchronous Canvas experiential learning reflection.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- You must be a declared or proposed major or minor in a Humanities Division department and have good academic standing. If proposed, declare by June.
- Eligible majors: Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism, Classical Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- Eligible minors: Black Studies, Classical Studies, East Asian Studies, History of Consciousness, History, Italian Studies, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- You have work authorization (required)
- You can work independently and collaboratively (required)
- You have strong writing and communication skills. (necessary)
- You are comfortable working with people, both one-on-one and in group settings. (necessary)
- You are comfortable working with youth in a classroom setting including possible classes at the juvenile hall.
- Organized, good with scheduling, and able to juggle multiple responsibilities.
- You have experience creating simple marketing elements to support outreach efforts. (necessary)
- You’re a quick researcher. You’re creative, open-minded, and reliable. (necessary)
- You value community and connection (necessary)
- You’re interested in poetry (necessary)
- You’re interested in working with underserved communities. (necessary)
- You’ve worked with Substack, Canva, and other social media platforms. (preferred)
- You’re Interested in leading poetry workshops and creating simple lesson plans and curricula (though no experience is necessary).
- You have some experience with poetry - writing, reading, discussing, etc. (preferred)
- You have some experience with (or are interested in learning about) publishing and event planning. (preferred)
- You’re known for your good people management skills. (preferred)
- You’re interested in creative expression and inspiring others to be creative. (preferred)
What You’ll Learn
Interns in this role will gain hands-on experience in community arts, event planning, and youth mentorship while working alongside the Santa Cruz Poet Laureate. You’ll build real-world skills in communication, creative problem-solving, and leadership—plus, you’ll get to shape meaningful poetry programs from idea to execution.
How To Apply
- Updated resume
- 1-page cover letter addressing:
- Why you’re interested in this role and Nancy Miller Gomez, Santa Cruz Poet Laureate (explore their website!)
- How your background and skills apply
- What you hope to gain from the experience
- Address your letter to Nancy Miller Gomez
Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
Questions? Email Kylie Rachwalski at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, the UCSC Humanities Division, and private donors generously support the Humanities EXCEL Program.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
