CSUB Student Interning In Washington, D.C.

California State University, Bakersfield student Angela Gaggero of Bakersfield is among 22 college interns from the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy who are assigned this term in the offices of members of the California Congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gaggero will work in the office of Rep. Anna Eshoo.

"This is a challenging time to have the opportunity to work in Washington," said institute director Leon E. Panetta, who formerly served in Congress and in the Clinton administration as chief of staff. "These students will have the chance to participate in discussions on policies that will affect their future and that of the nation. We also hope to encourage these students to have a drive and ambition to serve others in their communities, their state, and our country."

Interns spend 10 weeks in the Capitol working at a variety of assignments, learning about public policy issues and helping constituents. Students were selected from the California State University, the University of Santa Clara, and the Dominican University in San Rafael. They prepared for their Washington assignment by attending an intensive workshop at the institute.

The institute's faculty includes Leon and Sylvia Panetta; former members of Congress; former members of the White House staff, including the deputy chief of staff and the director for legislative affairs; and the former assistant to the President for management and administration, as well as former Panetta Institute interns and the institute's senior policy coordinator, David Yamada.

While the interns are in Washington, they will also attend a series of weekly seminars with Congressional and executive leaders to discuss a variety of issues faced by Congress. Each intern will earn 15 units of college credit as well. The Panetta Institute sponsors the program and provides interns with a stipend. Support for the program is provided by the Chancellor of the California State University and by trustees of the Panetta Institute.

Leon and Sylvia Panetta established the program in 1999 at CSU Monterey Bay to give students a hands-on experience in how government works. The program is designed to introduce young men and women to how government works and to encourage them to pursue careers in public service.

For more information about the program and the institute, call 831/582-4200.