Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with Santa Cruz Poetry Project–Educational Programs Assistant 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 18, 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 Organization: Santa Cruz Poetry Project Learn more on their website.

Location: Classes are in-person at the Santa Cruz County jail and library facilities below:

• The Rountree Medium Security and Rehabilitation and Re-Entry Minimum Security facilities are located at 90 Rountree Lane, Watsonville, 95076 (Buena Vista exit off Highway 1).
• Main Jail, 259 Water St., Santa Cruz, 95060.
• Blaine Street Women - 141 Blaine St. (off Ocean St.), Santa Cruz, 95060.
• The Santa Cruz County Library, downtown branch, 224 Church St., 95060.

Duration: Academic Year 2025–26

# Positions Available: 2

Hours: 10 hours/week– To satisfy hour requirements, interns should start with at least two classes. Morning and afternoon classes are taught on THURSDAYS in Watsonville, so you can do two classes in one day if that works.

Pay: $20/hour

Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from Renee Winter. Renee has been a volunteer teacher since 2016 and has been the Director of The Poetry Project. Volunteer teachers assigned to the class the intern is observing or co-teaching will also have a supervisory role.

Transportation Note: Transportation is taken into account with your compensation. Students can book a ZipCar through the Humanities Division, take public transportation, or drive their own vehicle. Carpools with a Poetry Project Volunteer Teacher may be available to Watsonville jail facilities when feasible.

What You’ll Do – Educational Programs Assistant

Co-Teaching (70-75%): Attend 2-3 classes per week in person, which meet for 90 minutes as follows:

During the fall quarter, you will be shadowing, learning, and assisting. In the winter, you will co-teach a class with a Poetry Project volunteer.

Prepare materials (25-30%): Assist with preparing lesson plans, anthologies, and jams. Support will be provided! The intern will be encouraged to make their own lesson plans according to poetry they like and wish to teach!

Attend meetings of Poetry Volunteers held approximately monthly in Santa Cruz (optional but preferred).

Humanities EXCEL Programming (5%): 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)

Clearance Process: Successful candidates must satisfy the clearance requirements of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office rules before they are allowed into the jail classrooms. Clearance requires the completion of the following:

1. Corrections Access Application & Agreement, & Liability Waiver
2. Live Scan (fingerprinting) Note: The Project will reimburse interns for the cost of Live Scan
3. Attend of Corrections Office Training Session, offered by the Sheriff’s office once each month.
4. Tour of Jail Facilities with Jail Program Staff

How To Apply

• Updated resume
• 1-page cover letter addressing:
  • Why you’re interested in this role and Santa Cruz Poetry Project (explore their website!)
  • How your background and skills apply
  • What you hope to gain from the experience
• Address your letter to Renee Winter

Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.

APPLY NOW

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.

1. “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:
   • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
   • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
   • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace