Urban Education Leaders Internship Program (UELIP) Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the GOAL of the program?

The mission statement of UELIP is to recruit, develop, and connect emerging leaders to effect change in DC public schools. Through hands-on projects and collaborative efforts, associates work with urgency to make real impact on student achievement.

UELIP aims to expose associates to critical educational reform issues of today, give opportunities to gain real experience tackling challenging issues related to managing an urban school system, and provide diverse avenues for networking with education leaders and agency heads in local government.

What is unique about the DCPS community?

The District of Columbia Public Schools is a diverse, urban school district serving students in the nation’s capital. The systemic reform underway in DCPS puts the interest of the students first. Our goal is to provide students a quality education that prepares them to become future leaders, productive citizens, and employers/employees who are engaged in the life of the community.

• Discover DC Public Schools by looking at our school profiles.
• Get a glimpse of the talent and dedication of teachers in DC Public Schools.

What are the CORE VALUES of the program?

Applicants should embody the UELIP core values:

• Innovation: We think and act in ways that are not inhibited by the usual or typical. We value risk-taking, be it with new approaches or proven approaches applied in new ways.
• Possibility: We believe that the achievement gap in DC Public Schools can be closed and that we have the ability, power, and passion to effect that change.
• Initiative: We take ownership of our work and operate proactively.
• Adaptability: We recognize that this work demands flexibility. We are dedicated to achieving our goals in the face of the unexpected.
• Tenacity: We work tirelessly to achieve our goals. We meet challenges with resilience and the commitment to find new solutions.

What do associates (interns) DO?

Participants of UELIP are given high-level work. Associates will work on education policy projects with the direction of key leaders of the chancellor’s team, charged with the responsibility of creating innovative, outside-the-box solutions to systemic urban education challenges. At DCPS, associates are more than just interns.

In addition to their given projects, associates are encouraged to work with other associates and departments outside of the scope of their assigned projects. These groups provide additional leadership opportunities and facilitate increased associate collaboration. Associates can join:

(1) Innovation teams: Innovation teams are designed to bring associates from different departments together on urgent, high-priority projects working alongside DCPS chiefs and directors. Examples include:

• Reforming and revitalizing the Embassy Adoption Program with the Director of Community Partnerships
• Program development for a potential Field Trip Fund with the DC Public Education Fund
• Restructuring DCPS' Student Government Associations with the Chief Academic Officer
• Developing an online budget development application with the Chief Financial Officer

(2) UELIP Strategy Committee: The UELIP Strategy Committee meets weekly to discuss and strategize the future growth and development of UELIP as a program. It is comprised by five working groups: Recruitment, Alumni Relations, Branding, Community Building, and Programming.

(3) UELIP Social Committee: Associates plan events independent of the UELIP professional development programming for a more relaxed, informal, and social component of the program. Outside of the office, the UELIP Social Committee gets UELIPs out and about in the city, including kickball games, museum outings, poetry slams, and more.

What is the DIFFERENCE between Junior Associates and Senior Associates?

The distinction distinguishes between levels of experience and education. Junior Associates are current or recently graduated undergraduate students. Senior Associates are current graduate, post-graduate, doctoral students or fellows from various programs. Regardless of title, all UELIP Associates are held to the same high standards for their work. 

How long do my ESSAYS need to be?

Essays should be between 300-500 words.

What are my chances of getting a STIPEND?

It depends with every session. Many of our associates work other jobs to support themselves during the UELIP sessions.

What were former UELIP interns' EXPERIENCES like?

"There is such incredible energy and determination at DCPS to improve the lives of our students. Though we all come from varied backgrounds and experiences, the level of commitment to students unites us and propels our work forward even when the challenges we face seem daunting. I really enjoy being part of community that lives and works by its mission."
Danielle Allen
Junior Associate, Summer 2009, Office of Portfolio Management

“Working at DCPS has been a great crash course in education policy. I can’t imagine a better way to get know what is happening at the forefront of education reform in America right now. The internship program is very well run: I feel as if I am both learning about and contributing to the school system at the same time.”
Colleen Roh
Senior Associate, Summer 2008, Office of the General Counsel

"The number of development opportunities we have, from skills trainings to innovation teams to in-house speakers to external education leaders to mentor groups … there are so many layers scaffolded in UELIP that my biggest complaint is I can’t attend them all if I also want to finish my project! I am amazed by the way people here work with urgency to improve student achievement."
Amanda Cahn
Senior Associate/Education Pioneer, Summer 2009, Office of Professional Development

"Any success I'm having I attribute to an awesome culture and environment. I've learned a lot here, not just about education but about getting things done, making things happen, problem solving and working hard. I have a new mindset that I hope I will be able to take with me wherever I go."
Luke Kohlmoos
Junior Associate, Summer 2008, Office of Communications