PALS PILLARS

1. CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION

2. MAGKASAMA MENTORSHIP

3. CONFERENCE SHADOWING

4. INTERN EXCHANGE

5. MODEL CABINET

6. PAMILYA BUILDING

SYLLABUS

Full SYLLABUS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Did you ever want to take a practical, leadership development course that introduces you to the nuances of executive board functions? What are the characteristics that comprise the ideal student leader? How do these many executive board members build community within such an overall, intensive space? These are a couple of many topics that will be addressed in this internship program.

The Pilipinx Advancing Leadership Success (PALS) Executive Intern Board is an informal course (no credits, no enforced requirements) and formal internship program that offers a broad overview of interdisciplinary, student leadership while linking aspects from mainstream student government and cultural/ethnic studies primarily pertinent to the Pilipinx and Asian American experiences. PALS is a quarterly commitment program that spans the entire academic year. Participants in this course, referred to as Executive Interns, are given the opportunity to partake in cultural and leadership development classes facilitated by the Director of Education, shadow Cabinet Administrators, and observe Cabinet and Senate Conferences just to name a few.

PALS intends to empower the next generation of student leaders (especially Pilipinx-identifying) while building a sense of family or “Pamilya” within PCMC Leadership and empowering Executive Interns with the skills necessary to be successful in similar spaces. During PALS, they will learn how to spearhead initiatives effectively, work cooperatively on cultural and traditional student executive boards of university rigor, and develop professional and personal skill sets that are transferable to other aspects of university and social life.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
This program aims to equip the rising generations of student leaders with the skill set necessary to be successful student leaders not only in the Pilipinx community but also in other components of the university experience. Executive Interns will be taught about PCMC history and administrative and operational structure to better understand the entity itself and community structure at UCLA. In doing so, they will be able to comprehend the nuances of representation, collaboration, and participation amongst the myriad of constituent Pilipinx-organizations. In addition, they will be taught the basics of student leadership including but not limited to executive board nuances, administration, legislation, organization, delegation, voting, and other formalities (i.e. Robert’s Rules of Order). 

In accordance with the six pillars enumerated above, PALS will focus on providing Executive Interns the opportunity to partake in project planning and execution alongside respective members of the Board of Directors in order to gain practical and “in-the-field” experience that they may draw upon in future endeavors. Executive Interns will also be able to attend Cabinet and Senate Conferences and participate in a 1-1 mentorship program called “Magkasama Mentorship” with current Cabinet members while shadowing them. All practical experience will culminate towards the Model Cabinet where Executive Interns will be provided the unique opportunity to switch with their respective Cabinet Administrator mentor and conduct their portion of the Cabinet Conference as if they were the elected Administrator themself.
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During classroom instruction, Executive Interns will partake in a variety of activities, exercises, and lectures developed by the incumbent Director of Education to fulfill this program’s various objectives. During mentorship shadowing, Executive Interns will learn first-hand how ongoing functions are conducted by specific Cabinet Administrators. During Conferences, Executive Interns will witness first-hand the nuances of conducting consistent, frequent, and organized board meetings with a variety of involved members and internal/external entities. Most importantly, we hope that we create a welcoming space where all Executive Interns feel safe and encouraged to develop relationships with each other and build a sense of “Pamilya” together.

TRANSFERABLE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1. Develop effective communication skills concerning internal and external entities.
2. Develop effective delegation skills concerning prioritization of initiatives.
3. Develop effective planning skills concerning the development of projects.
4. Develop effective administrative skills concerning board logistics and wellbeing.
5. Develop effective programming skills concerning project execution.
6. Develop effective networking skills concerning outreach and inter-entity relationships.
7. Develop effective fiscal skills concerning budget planning and expenditures.
8. Being able to work with the administrative and operations sides of leadership.
9. Being informed on general student leadership and executive board nuances and structure.
​10. Having insight on cultural and ethnic studies especially pertinent to Pilipinx culture

INTENDED AUDIENCE
This program is open to ANY UCLA STUDENT at the undergraduate and graduate levels per the provisions of equal opportunity entitled by the PCMC Constitution and bylaws. In addition, PALS is aimed at students passionate/interested about advocacy, cultural/ethinic studies, university student government, and/or general student leadership.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate UCLA students regardless of experience or cultural background (aka you do not need to be Pilipinx-identifying to enroll into PALS). Previous knowledge concerning the aforementioned passions/interests is not mandatory because this is an INTRODUCTORY COURSE for all students from any academic, ethnic, and extracurricular context. Any prior experience though will be beneficial and will not be disregarded.

PROGRAM FORMAT
Student Contact Time: ~ 1-1.5 hour/week for 10 weeks/quarter (total ~10-15 hours/quarter)

Teaching Methodology: Teaching is offered by means of classroom and practical experience.
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***The PCMC Education Committee including the Director of Education, Internal VP, CAO, and President reserves the right to revise the syllabus to fit the needs of the program and current cohort when necessary. Changes will be communicated directly to all Executive Interns and pertinent affiliates as soon as possible or in advance when necessary.