Quinnipiac University’s Office of Title IX welcomes three legal interns to assist in the office and around campus.
Inside the office, interns will conduct legal and policy research for office processes and protocols. They may also assist with office administrative functions.
The interns will have the opportunity to help educate and spread awareness around campus. They will assist in creating presentation and training materials, identify resources and serve as resources at campus events as well as through the office.
“Quinnipiac is known for creating experiences that prepare students for post-graduate success,” Title IX Coordinator – Director of Sexual Misconduct & Bias Response Pat Jimenez wrote in an email to The Chronicle. “We wanted our student interns to have experiences that are supportive of their interests or career goals.”
Jimenez joined Quinnipiac in March 2024 as part of a university-wide turnover series, with a goal in mind to “tap into the experiences and knowledge students have by creating a Title IX internship or work-study opportunity.”
Aside from gathering information from public resources, the interns will not be involved in casework and are all required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Students pursuing a career in criminal justice and law were welcomed to apply for an internship position.
“We designed the application process to support our desire to help students have career-readiness experience,” Jimenez wrote.
Students interested in the position had to be juniors or above.
Applicants were asked to submit resumes as well as cover letters. They were then screened and a pool of students were chosen for interviews. After the interviews were completed, three students were offered the positions, and all three accepted.
“The Title IX Office conducted background checks to ensure the applicants did not have any student conduct history or ascertainable criminal history,” Jimenez wrote. “Each had to sign a confidentiality agreement.”
In creating these internship positions, they had two goals in mind. The first one being the opportunity for students to have additional learning for their major and career through hands-on experience in the Title IX office.
“Through the internship, they will learn more about how a compliance office functions, in this case, Title IX,” Jimenez wrote. “They will learn about the laws and policies that support how we uphold our Title IX obligations.”
The student interns aren’t the only ones who will benefit from these positions.
The second goal is in regards to how students can be of assistance to the office. Not only will the interns learn valuable skills and information, but the office will be able to gain insight from a student’s perspective.
“We also wanted to tap into the interests, energy and insights students can provide regarding how best to make the campus community aware of Title IX in a way that resonates with them,” Jimenez wrote.
The education doesn’t stop there.
Students interning in the office can then share their knowledge to educate their peers and spread awareness. Jimenez looks forward to them taking on this role with the notion in mind that “the best advocates for students can be their fellow students.”
“I hope students who intern in our office will become ambassadors who educate their fellow students about the important role Title IX plays in creating an inclusive campus environment,” Jimenez wrote.
