Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with Santa Cruz Public Libraries–Researching Short Stories for Jail Reach Program 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 Organization: Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Location: This is a HYBRID position. Work will be conducted:
- Virtually (75%): remote asynchronous work & Zoom/Google Meet
- In Person (25%): SCPL Headquarters in downtown Santa Cruz, Downtown Santa Cruz Library.
- Most research will be done independently. Some meetings would be best done in person.
Duration: Academic Year 2025–26
Hours: 10–20 hours/week
Pay: $20/hour
Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from Outreach Librarian Jesse Silva
What You’ll Do – Researching Short Stories for Jail Reach Program
Working with the SCPL Jail Services team, the intern will work to build up the collection of short stories used for the library’s People & Stories program. People & Stories brings relevant literature to historically marginalized audiences, inviting participants to explore and discuss stories from cultures and/or experiences that are historically under-represented in Western literature. The intern will read and review short stories that may be appropriate for People & Stories and provide a brief report on selected stories. Additionally, they’ll provide supplemental materials for the selected stories, such as vocabulary, author biographies, and other relevant information. Along the way, the intern will cultivate empathy and compassion for people who are incarcerated and help develop a bibliography of diverse stories.
- Research (50%)
- Using SCPL collections and online resources, identify short stories to be used in the Library’s People & Stories program
- Storytelling / Communication [40%]:
- Provide a brief written report of short stories, related vocabulary, and supplemental materials.
- Assist the project leads with synthesizing the information and creating story packets to be used inside the County Jails and Juvenile Hall. Sample packet.
- Community Engagement [10%]:
- 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)
- You are organized and responsible when it comes to assignments and deadlines.
- You are a proactive communicator.
- You are willing to complete a LiveScan Background Check to become a SCPL Volunteer, which is needed for this role.
What to expect of the site supervisor
- Responsive communication via email and phone
- Weekly check-ins
- Meet in person every two weeks
- In-person tour of SCPL Jail Reach operations and Downtown Santa Cruz Library
- Will provide a comprehensive overview of SCPL online resources related to this project
- Will provide library account, if needed, and assistance finding collections of short stories in the library’s collections.
- People & Stories facilitation training and practice
What You’ll Gain From This Experience
- Learning best practices in the facilitation of group discussions.
- Gain a deeper understanding of library programs and services for people incarcerated in Santa Cruz County.
- Gain experience researching, reviewing, and presenting short stories.
- Comprehensive overview of the library’s People & Stories, bibliography, methodology, and practice.
- Gain an overview of how modern public libraries are working to improve services to populations who have been historically overlooked and/or underserved.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how public libraries can be hubs for promoting social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity
How To Apply
- Updated resume
- 1-page cover letter addressing:
- Why you’re interested in this role and Santa Cruz Public Libraries (explore their website!)
- How your background and skills apply
- What you hope to gain from the experience
- Address your letter to Jesse Silva
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:
