Intern - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

About the Council

The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is Kentucky’s higher education coordinating agency committed to strengthening our workforce, economy and quality of life. We do this by guiding the continuous improvement and efficient operation of a high-quality, diverse and accessible system of postsecondary education.

Position Description

This unpaid internship opportunity will provide participants experience working with the Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Communications teams to create and implement several statewide awareness initiatives centered on Kentucky higher education’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Benefits

The internship goals are as follows:

• Develop an understanding of public service and government, and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in these areas.
• Interact with agency policy and campus partners.
• Gain experience working in higher education policy and communications.
• Strengthen the impact of the Council’s work.

Location

The Council, as a state government entity, operates according to the Governor’s COVID-19 guidelines. Interns will have the ability to work from home, but travel to the Council’s offices in Frankfort or to a higher education institution may be required when conditions are considered safe to do so.

Duties

This position will coordinate initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among Kentucky’s public postsecondary institutions in alignment with the 2016 Kentucky Public Postsecondary Education Policy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Types of projects for this position may include:

• Conducting interviews of students for print publications and video recordings.
• Assisting CPE’s communications office writing blog stories centered on diversity initiatives at Kentucky’s higher education institutions.
• Compiling student quotes and photos for social media campaigns.
• Conducting student surveys and other research to aid DEI staff in their communications efforts.
• Providing feedback on CPE’s student website, especially with a focus on adequately serving at-risk students.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Junior, senior, or Master’s degree students in higher education, policy analysis, sociology, or other related fields.

Skills

• Exceptional verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Expressed interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion topics and issues.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and teleconferencing applications such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Basic understanding of social media, YouTube and blogs.
• Experience with policy analysis, video production and photography is a plus.

Length and Timeline for Internship

Applications accepted on a rolling basis, but it is recommended that students apply several months prior to their desired start date. Although interns may start at any time of the year as negotiated between the supervisor and intern, semester start dates are preferable (summer, fall and spring). The minimum timeframe is one semester (10 hours per week).

Selection Process

Viable applicants will be selected for an interview by phone for the first interview and by Zoom for the second interview. Applicants who are selected then have one week to either accept or decline the internship offer.

Application Instructions

All interested applicants must submit the following application materials in one email to cpe.news@ky.gov with the subject line, "Response to Intern Announcement":

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, how you satisfy the desired qualification and how the position can help with your bachelor’s or graduate program and your future career.
• A resume.
• One letter of support from an advisor or faculty member in your major.

You will receive a confirmation of receipt from cpe.news@ky.gov within one to three days of sending. However, follow-up communication to set up an interview will be from Jessica Romious, associated in CPE’s DEI office. Please make sure to check your junk email or voice mail for communications from the Council during this process.