CPO Leadership Development Programs
The Community Programs Office (CPO) offers leadership development programs designed to engage all students in campus activities. First-year students are encouraged to participate in the Departmental Internship, commonly known as the CPO Internship. Starting in their second year, students can join the Leadership Fellows program, which includes roles such as Operations Coordinators, Operations Leads, and Staff Assistants.
This leadership journey is designed to be sequential, encouraging students to progressively advance their leadership skills each year. Students who have demonstrated strong leadership in advocating for their peers and the CPO are invited to apply for the Student Advisory Board, which serves as the department’s official student voice. All students in CPO internship programs develop the following skills:
- Mentorship and career development
- Advocacy and leadership training
- Experiential learning & travel opportunities
- Professional networking
- Resume and presentation skills
- Intergroup communication and collaboration
- Engagement in campus decision-making
CPO Student Advisory Board
Established in 2024 by the CPO Department’s Management Team, the CPO Student Advisory Board collaborates with department leaders on budgeting, planning, and advocating for the department’s needs. Board members are selected through a competitive interview process each summer.
For more information, please contact Samantha Magpusao at smagpusao@cpo.ucla.edu.
Leadership Development Fellows Program
Established in 2008 by CPO Director Antonio Sandoval Ayala and expanded into the Leadership Development Fellows Program by CPO Senior Associate Director Thuy Huynh in 2016, this initiative provides students with opportunities to become staff assistants, leadership extern fellows, or operations leads. Leadership fellows work closely with the department’s management to gain valuable professional skills that prepare them for their post-graduate careers.
For more information, please contact Dennis Santiago Goodspeed at dsantiago@cpo.ucla.edu.
Departmental Internship Program
Founded in 2001 by student leader Antonio Sandoval Ayala, the CPO Freshman and Transfer Student Office Internship Program offers students the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about issues impacting under-resourced communities while developing valuable professional skills.
In addition to its educational focus, the program allows students to contribute to the department’s priorities and daily operations, providing a well-rounded experience that supports both personal and professional growth.
