Deer Valley, AZ – Arizona State University students will have an opportunity to compete for internships next fall with Maricopa County departments with a new program approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today.
The Maricopa County Leadership and Education Advancing Public Service program, MCLEAPS, will be administered through the ASU School of Public Programs and individual county departments and will be open to all ASU students. The program offers a paid stipend of $4700 for the semester, a waiver of the semester’s tuition and fees and academic credit towards a degree, depending on the degree requirements of the students’ major.
Tentatively, internships for the Fall 2014 semester will include Air Quality, the Treasurer’s Office, Human Resources, Public Fiduciary, Justice System Planning & Information, Facilities Management, the Office of Management and Budget and the County Educational Service Agency. Students can learn more by checking www.copp.asu.edu/mcleaps .
County officials praised the program as an opportunity to give top students some hands-on experience and to open their eyes to the opportunities and rewards of public service careers, including in county government.
Chairman Denny Barney complimented the county administration and ASU officials for making this commitment. “It makes education that much more productive when students get to combine their academic program with real world experience,” he said. “We are grateful to all those involved in putting this partnership together.”
“We need to train and recruit the highest performing, most dedicated young people to become the next generation of public servants,” said Supervisor Steve Chucri. “This is an exciting opportunity for the students and the County.”
Supervisor Clint Hickman said he hoped the pilot program could someday expand to include other universities. “This also has the advantage of informing citizens, especially young ones, about government in general and county government in particular,” he said.
“Dr. Michael Crow has always aimed at having ASU embedded into the community. This is just the most recent example,” commented Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. “ The county is providing the students with some very practical experience and career opportunities that will greatly enhance their educations. I am proud of this partnership.”
“This has been the product of lots of hard work at the ASU College of Public programs, County Manager Tom Manos and our management team,” commented Supervisor Andy Kunasek.
The program will begin in August.
Please visit www.maricopa.gov/bos for information about each member of the Board of Supervisors.
