California Youth Leadership Corps 

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Participant Application

The California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC) is a transformative leadership development program designed to empower individuals from historically underserved communities and nontraditional educational backgrounds to create positive social change and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Through CYLC, participants have the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Leadership and Social Change from De Anza College while developing leadership skills, building community connections, and engaging in meaningful community-based learning experiences.

Program Benefits

Participants receive:

  • A $1,000 monthly stipend, totaling up to $10,000 over the duration of the program.
  • Quarterly scholarship stipends to help cover educational expenses and fees not covered by financial aid. 
  • A Certificate in Leadership and Social Change upon successful completion of the program.
  • Individual mentorship and ongoing support from CYLC staff.
  • Opportunities to build leadership skills and contribute to community-based initiatives.

The combined value of stipends and educational support can be up to $15,000.

Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the program.
  • CYLC prioritizes individuals from historically underserved communities and nontraditional educational backgrounds.
  • Priority consideration will be given to individuals who have not yet earned a postsecondary degree or credential.

Academic Schedule

Fall Quarter: September 21st - December 11th, 2026cylcflyer23

Leadership and Power (ICS 27 / POLY 17)

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
  • Online via Zoom
  • Instructor: Staff (TBA)

Winter Quarter: January 4th - March 26th, 2027

Critical Consciousness and Social Change (ICS 17)

    • Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
    • Online via Zoom
    • Instructor: Staff (TBA)

Spring Quarter: April 5th - June 25th, 2027

Making a Difference: Transforming Relations of Nature, Community, and Power (ICS 19)

    • Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
    • Online via Zoom
    • Instructor: Staff (TBA)

Community-Based Learning Experience

In addition to coursework, participants will enroll in a 2-unit experiential learning course each quarter and engage in approximately 10 hours per week of community-based learning activities with a nonprofit or community organization.

Students will be matched with host organizations based on their interests, goals, availability, and organizational capacity. These experiences provide opportunities to develop leadership, organizing, advocacy, and civic engagement skills while applying classroom learning in real-world community settings.

Student Fellow Application Information

If you are passionate about creating positive change in your community and are looking for an opportunity to grow as a leader, we encourage you to apply to the California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC).

Application Deadline: June 28, 2026

Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted shortly after the application deadline. Interviews will take place between June 29 and July 2, 2026

Apply Here

Community Partner Opportunities:

CYLC partners with nonprofit and community-based organizations to provide meaningful community-based learning experiences for student fellows.

Host organizations receive $8,000 per student fellow per academic year to support mentorship, leadership development, and community-based learning experiences. Organizations may host up to four fellows and receive a maximum of $32,000 annually.

Organizations are welcome to host fellows who are already connected to their organization or be matched with new fellows through the CYLC program. This flexibility allows organizations to invest in the leadership development of individuals already engaged in their work while also creating opportunities to mentor and support emerging community leaders.

Organizations interested in serving as a CYLC host site for the 2026–2027 academic year are invited to complete the Community Partner Interest Form:

INTAKE FORM

For additional information about becoming a host organization, please review the CYLC Community Partner One-Pager here: https://www.deanza.edu/vida/26-27CYLC-De%20Anza%20One%20Pager%20for%20Partners.pdf 

Questions?

For more information about the California Youth Leadership Corps at De Anza College, please contact:

Brenda Carrillo
Program Coordinator
romerocarrillobrenda@fhda.edu

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