CCC Internship Program
Preparing for a Career in Community College Teaching
The California Community College Internship Program (CCCIP) offers graduate students a year-long, paid internship to explore community college teaching as a career path. The program runs from Summer through Spring and includes faculty mentorship, professional development, and in-classroom teaching experiences.
UC Irvine coordinates CCCIP and includes four participating UC campuses (UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC Irvine). At UCSC, the TLC collaborates with the Division of Graduate Studies to administer the program. Our current community college partner is Hartnell College in Salinas, CA.
Selected Interns receive:
- A $7,500 fellowship (paid in Summer)
- One-on-one mentorship from community college faculty at our partner college
- Focused professional development in inclusive teaching and course design
- Opportunities to do classroom observations and gain teaching practice
- Job preparation for a community college faculty career
Program Information
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
The CCCIP program is open to PhD and MFA students in all disciplines who are enrolled full-time and in good academic standing. In addition, interested applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Ph.D. students interested in applying should be advanced to candidacy before the program begins (Summer start)
- MFA students interested in applying should be going into their second or third year. Note: Master’s students in self-supporting programs are not eligible for this opportunity
The selection committee comprises TLC staff, the UC Irvine CCCIP coordinator, and the Hartnell College faculty mentor coordinator. Each year, 5–10 interns are selected, depending on funding and mentor availability. Interns are selected based on:
- Match between applicant interests and community college faculty mentor availability
- Articulation of how the program’s perceived benefit will impact the applicant’s career goals
- Clear communication about why the community college setting is ideal for the applicant
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging
Program Requirements (By Quarter)
The internship commitment includes virtual professional development in Summer and at least two quarters at Hartnell Community College in the Fall (required) and Winter or Spring.
Summer (Program Launch & Professional Development)
- Participate in a virtual, synchronous professional development series hosted by UC Irvine. Topics include: course design, inclusive teaching, and career pathways in the community college system
- Receive the $7,500 fellowship for the internship
- Begin planning the internship with your assigned faculty mentor
Fall (Internship Begins — Required Quarter)
- Begin the teaching internship at Hartnell College
- Collaborate with your mentor to create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) outlining internship goals and activities (i.e., classroom observations, post-observation reflections, informational interviews with community college faculty, and more).
- Develop and revise key application materials based on mentor feedback, including: 1) Teaching Statement, 2) Diversity Statement
- Attend an online program orientation and cohort meeting
- Complete a one-on-one check-in with the UC Irvine CCCIP Coordinator
- Enroll in 2–5 units of departmental independent study credit at UCSC
Winter (Internship Continues — Option 1)
- Continue teaching internship as needed and agreed upon with your faculty mentor
- Attend an online cohort meeting
- Continue working on professional development goals and job market materials.
- Enroll in 2–5 units of independent study credit if participating
Spring (Internship Continues — Option 2)
- Continue teaching internship as needed and agreed upon with your faculty mentor, ensuring completion of remaining activities in the ILP
- Finalize and polish job application materials with mentor feedback
- Attend the final cohort meeting
- Enroll in 2–5 units of independent study credit if participating
For complete program details, visit the UCI CCCIP website.
How to Participate
Applications to the 2025–2026 California Community College Internship Program are now closed. Program commitments begin in Summer 2025.
For a preview of the application process, please visit the UCI CCCIP webpage, or reach out for more information.
Past CCCIP Interns
2025–2026 Interns
- Ontario Alexander, Music
- Jennifer Simon Guerrero, Mathematics
- Maria Renee Hele, Art
- Wayne Huang, Anthropology
- Cynthia Ramirez, Applied Math
- Huzaifa Shahbaz, Politics
- Linda Ulbrich, History
2024–2025 Interns
- Valeria Jacqueline Alonso Blanco, Psychology
- Carlos Humberto Cruz, History
- Davida Briana DuBois, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Jillian Brooke Porter, MCD Biology
- Marina Segatti, Feminist Studies
- Sylvane Vaccarino-Ruiz, Psychology