API Legislative Staff Academy
In 2017, the CA API Legislative Caucus Institute launched the API Legislative Staff Academy, a first-of-its-kind leadership program in the nation to support the professional development and upward mobility of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander staffers in the California legislature and administration.
The program creates a learning culture by featuring distinguished speakers to share lessons on the legislative process and leadership topics. The six-month program sessions are interactive and integrate applied learning. The applied learning method aims to enable students to understand fundamental concepts through application and practice.
The academy further fosters the participants’ professional development through a mentorship learning experience. To learn more about our mentorship program click here.
In 2017, the CA API Legislative Caucus Institute launched the API Legislative Staff Academy, a first-of-its-kind leadership program in the nation to support the professional development and upward mobility of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander staffers in the California legislature and administration.
The program creates a learning culture by featuring distinguished speakers to share lessons on the legislative process and leadership topics. The six-month program sessions are interactive and integrate applied learning. The applied learning method aims to enable students to understand fundamental concepts through application and practice.
The academy further fosters the participants’ professional development through a mentorship learning experience. To learn more about our mentorship program click here.
The Academy provides a safe learning environment for participants and the program culture helps foster
camaraderie between cohort members.
Alumni Testimonials
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“As a proud member of the inaugural class of the API Staff Academy, I can say that my professional development and career have been enhanced tremendously by this experience. API Staff Academy not only provides knowledge and a deeper understanding of the legislative world, but it pairs you with a mentor who shares your values and goals. The mentorship I received in the program was without equal. The Academy utilizes the most prestigious talent and accomplished individuals to serve as mentors. It’s hard to overstate how much I benefited from having my mentor recount his experiences and directly impart his wisdom to me. His guidance was a turning point in my career. Now, I am fortunate enough to call him my boss, and also my friend. API Staff Academy mentorship made this possible, and I am eternally grateful for this opportunity.”
- Brandon Seto, Class of 2018 Senior Floor Consultant, Office of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon |
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"The legislature can be an intimidating space to be in, especially when you do not see yourself represented well (or at all) in the staff and legislators around you. As a Muslim, Pakistani staffer who started in the building in 2016, and as a new Legislative Director, the Institute has provided me with a strong network of mentors, deep relationships with other staffers from similar API backgrounds, as well as tools to expand my understandings of politics. More importantly, it has helped me feel more comfortable and confident in this political sphere knowing that I have a support system that I can turn to for advice and guidance when I need it."
- Maheen Ahmed, Class of 2019 Deputy Director, Office of CARE, California Department of Justice - Office of Attorney General |
