FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — La Oficina Latina — the Office of Latino Academic Advancement and Community Relations — invites juniors and seniors to an information session about the new community internship program En marcha, from 1-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, in the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, Arkansas Union Room 403.   

En marcha is a community development internship program. Its main goals are to further the professional development of the participating students, to strengthen the U of A ties to the community, and to support local nonprofit organizations.

Internships provide students excellent pre-professional experience complementing their academic training. This internship program focuses on Hispanic-serving community organizations. These organizations play a key role in making the local community more equitable. An internship in a community organization is more than a simple part-time job — will provide valuable community service and leadership skills building opportunities. Community development work requires strong commitment and motivation.

The basic qualifications for the internship program are to be a junior or senior student at the University of Arkansas, enrolled full time with a 3.0 grade point average. Preference will be given to bilingual students who are interested in working with the Hispanic community and who will benefit professionally from the internship. There may be additional qualifications, depending on the host organization’s requirements. This internship will provide compensation for 6 to 8 hours of work per week, at $8.50 per hour, plus a mileage allowance. 

The Office of Latino Academic Advancement and Community Relations was founded in 2011 and is part of the U of A’s Office of Diversity Affairs. La Oficina Latina’s main purpose is to help develop campus wide coherent and effective policies and initiatives for Latinos, in terms of recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff, community outreach, and advocacy. The office also serves as the main liaison between the university and the Hispanic community.

La Oficina Latina is located in the Arkansas Union, inside the Multicultural Center for Diversity and Multicultural Education.