BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:Title
Receive Information on Internships and Career-Ready Program for Disadvantaged Students.
*PREVIOUSLY LISTED AS ITEM 2.10
End
RECOMMENDATION:Recommendation
Consider and discuss information on internships and stipends for disadvantaged students.
Body
SUMMARY:
During their meeting on October 28, 2021, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee directed staff to research and propose programs for supporting and helping disadvantaged students to complete degrees related to the Water Industry.
Studies and research have shown that traditionally, students don't graduate from college when they face financial challenges, lack of non-academic preparation, and lack of a support network to help guide them to graduation. The cost of a four-year degree has steadily risen over recent years, and this cost has become a barrier for low-income students to pursue a higher education. Many first-generation students struggle to know where to turn for assistance, even when colleges have a wealth of resources available. Many low-income and first-generation students may doubt their ability to succeed because they have not had a mentor or someone in their family or community that has completed a degree, to help guide them to success.
Staff identified over 30 Degree majors and areas of concentration related to Valley Water careers and found several programs at both two-year and four-year colleges in Santa Clara County that offer support for students facing financial crisis, who are low income, or who face social, economic, and educational challenges. Representatives for these programs commonly mentioned that the most useful tools to help these students are internships, mentorship, and stipends.
PROPOSAL:
Add ten (10) additional slots in the Summer Internship Program for students from disadvantaged communities that are majoring in a water-related field. In addition, establish a Career-Ready $1,000 stipend program for 50 disadvantaged students ...
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