Cross Cultural Leadership Program
The ILS Cross Cultural Leadership Program is an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in a lively Latinx community this summer!
View the CCLP 2022 Information Session
Open to all First Years, Sophomores, Juniors, and rising Seniors in all majors and departments. First priority for placements goes to Latino Studies Supplementary Majors and minors.
Participation in CCLP is offered at no cost to ND undergraduate students looking to increase their understanding and engagement in Latinx populations.
Application for Summer 2023 Now Open
Since 2006, the Institute for Latino Studies has offered the Cross Cultural Leadership Program to undergraduates of all backgrounds and courses of study at the University of Notre Dame. CCLP was modeled after the late Father Don McNeill C.S.C.'s work at the Center for Social Concerns. CCLP engages students in real-world applications of their academic studies through summer service-learning experiences in Latino serving organizations in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Juan, Puerto Rico, and now Querétaro, Mexico.
Students participate in a three-credit course and volunteer full-time as a team member in a community-based organization. For summer 2023, the course component of CCLP will be offered virtually for 2 hours per week over 8 weeks. The volunteer internship experience itself will be offered in person with a nonprofit or NGO. The online course will be taught nationally by an ILS faculty member, with a local component provided by an alumnus or partner of Notre Dame.
The Program provides:
• 8 week immersion placement in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. OR
7 week immersion placement in San Juan, Puerto Rico OR
5 week internship and course in Querétaro, Mexico
• All costs covered by ILS: flight, room, board, and local transportation
• 3 credit Latino Studies course taught virtually (credits/registration for fall 2023)
• Opportunity to build a professional network with fellow ND students
• Local mentorship by an ND alumnus or teaching professor in each city
• Students may earn a $3,000 scholarship (for the 8 week internship) applied to their fall semester
Program Dates including travel:
CCLP Chicago: May 31 to July 30, 2023 (8 weeks + summer training institute with CSPL June 1-2)
CCLP DC & LA: June 3 to July 30, 2023 (8 week interns)
CCLP Mexico: June 21 to July 29, 2023 (5 weeks)
CCLP Puerto Rico: (Tentative): May 30 to July 22, 2023 (7 weeks)
Additional Information:
Dr. Karen Richman will be teaching the summer CCLP course as a national, online course for participants taking the 3-credit course. If you have already taken the course in the past, please contact Dr. Richman to discuss alternate options.
Applications open on November 2, 2022. Apply earlier to get your preferred spot!
Decisions will be made on a rolling basis from December 1, 2022 to January 16, 2023.
Visit our list of partners to learn about participating organizations in each city.
You may also view prior placements.
General CCLP dates in DC/LA/Chi:
Wednesday May 31 (for Chicago) or Saturday June 3 - Travel to destination
Sunday June 4 - Orientation in your city
Monday June 5 - First day of service
Friday July 28 - Last day of service
Sunday July 30 - Deadline to move out/return home
Tentative CCLP dates in Puerto Rico:
Tuesday May 30 - Flight to PR
Wednesday May 31 - Classes (this will take the place of the summer CCLP course) & internship starts
Friday July 21 - Last day class/internship
Saturday July 22- Fly home
Academic Requirements
- Attend three orientation sessions in the spring semester prior to summer service learning course.
- Register for a three-credit course. Credit is granted in the fall following completion of the summer service learning course. For students studying abroad in the fall, credit will be conferred in the spring.
- Read all course books and course packet articles.
- Keep a journal.
- Participate in class sessions with professor and other students.
- Write synthesis paper at the end of the course.
- Final presentation of your experience at end of summer service learning course to other students, faculty, community members, and alumni of Notre Dame.
- Participate in all follow up activities in fall following summer service learning course such as exit interview, video, and open house for future potential applicants.
Student Spotlight
“Once I began my internship with the health policy team, I absolutely loved everything about the organization and its work. It never felt like work because I truly enjoyed every second and I felt as if everything I did was meaningful and contributed to tackling these disparities.
“Without CCLP, I would not have found my passion, and if I had, it would have been too late into my undergraduate career. Once I had this epiphany, I switched my major from science pre-professional to political science.”
Paola Ortiz '24
Washington D.C. • UnidosUS
Political Science & Latino Studies w/ Business Econ Minor
"As a child, I served as an interpreter and navigator for my family. Working at Taller de Jose in Chicago as a 'compañera,' I related to my clients who needed someone to help them access healthcare and disability resources. I attended to the immediate needs of walk-in clients, reviewed grant narratives, connected people with Catholic Charities, the Resurrection Project and other agencies across the city, accompanied clients to the hospital, and provided support by being a good listener and communicator.
"The optimism and hopeful nature of the Mexican American community in Chicago inspired me. Mexican Americans show us their strength and perseverance generation after generation.”
Iesha Magallanes '20
Chicago • Taller de José
Computer Science and Design Major
Special Thanks to ....
•Arthur and Joanne Velasquez for their generous endowment in support of the CCLP Chicago site.
• The Notre Dame Club of Los Angeles for being a generous supporter of the CCLP Los Angeles site through annual endowment contributions raised at club events.
