County approves college fellowship program
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved allocating $1 million in public benefits funds to establish a college fellowship program for 2021.
The program will provide 10 students with $20,000 in scholarships in return for a commitment to accept full-time, limited-term employment with the county for 18 months.
Two weeks ago the board formed an ad-hoc committee that included Supervisors Jesus Eduardo Escobar and Ray Castillo, to look at the options presented to them by County Librarian Crystal Duran. Many of the choices were similar in structure to the one chosen, but varied in scholarship awards and employment terms.
There will be two cohort groups of five students each in the program, Duran said.
The goal of the program is to prepare college students for work in various sectors of the county local government by providing them opportunities for mentorship, service projects, scholarship funds and employment.
Castillo said his preference was for the student to receive half of the scholarship in their junior year with the other $10,000 being awarded senior year.
Escobar had a different opinion on when the funds should be distributed.
The students, once accepted into the pilot fellowship program, will receive half of the $20,000 scholarship upon completion of a summer internship between their junior and senior years.
The other $10,000 will be awarded after the graduate finishes the first year working for the county with a positive review.
Escobar said this second $10,000 award could incentivize graduates while working for the county.
Eligible participants must be Imperial County high school graduates entering their third year of undergraduate coursework. They must be between the ages of 18 and 24 and must have and maintain a 3.5 grade-point average.
Other requirements are completing a service project and Work Academy series; maintaining communication with an assigned mentor, and accepting 18 months of full-time, limited term employment with the county following graduation. Candidates cannot be related to any county elected official or administrator.
The selected fellows must also sign the award commitment package agreeing to complete all requirements, maintain the GPA and adhere to a code of ethics.
They must complete orientation and meet with their mentor in the summer of 2021.
The graduates in their 18 months of employment in the county will earn more than $18 an hour, with county benefits.
The county Public Benefit Fund, which is supplying the money, comes from monies collected from solar projects. The fund’s current balance is about $10 million, Duran said.
Duran said the award package for each fellow will be $20,000 for the scholarship and $75,700 for the county salary and benefits for 18 months.
To apply, students must complete a written application with two letters of recommendation, submit a résumé, high school and college transcripts, and proof of enrollment.