The CREEO Fellows Program provides UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students with paid, hands-on professional experience supporting the work of the Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity (CREEO).
CREEO Fellows will work up to 20 hours per week and receive an hourly wage. Fellows will be integrated into the day-to-day work of the Center and will primarily provide operational and program support, with opportunities for light research support as needed. Their work will contribute directly to CREEO's programs, projects, research, partnerships, events, and broader mission to expand educational opportunity.
Through the fellowship, students will gain firsthand experience with how a university-based research center moves its mission forward, from coordinating programs and supporting partnerships to managing events and administrative processes, communicating with partners and collaborators, and contributing to research and public-facing products. Fellows will work alongside CREEO faculty, staff, researchers, students, educators, and external partners while developing practical skills in program operations, project coordination, professional communication, event and logistical planning, university administration, and research support.
The primary role of CREEO Fellows is to provide operational and program support across the Center. Fellows will be assigned responsibilities based on CREEO's active programs and projects, Center priorities, and their individual skills and experience. Responsibilities and duties may differ from Fellow to Fellow; all Fellows should be available to attend in-person activities during the fellowship period as needed.
Fellows will support the day-to-day implementation and administration of CREEO's work.
Fellows will help coordinate the operational and logistical aspects of CREEO programs, events, professional learning activities, meetings, and convenings.
Fellows may support travel for CREEO faculty, staff, invited guests, speakers, and partners.
Fellows will help CREEO communicate with educators, program participants, partners, and other stakeholders.
Fellows will support CREEO's internal project management and coordination.
As part of their exposure to the work of a university-based research center, Fellows may provide light research support to CREEO faculty, staff, and research teams as needed (depending on the project and the Fellow's skills and experience).
*Research responsibilities will supplement, rather than replace, Fellows' primary operational and program-support responsibilities.
CREEO Fellows will be integrated members of the CREEO team. The fellowship is designed to help students understand how the different dimensions of a university-based research center, including operations, programs, partnerships, communications, events, and research, work together to advance a shared mission.
As part of their paid appointment (up to 20 hours per week), Fellows will:
- Participate in weekly CREEO team meetings, where they will learn about work across the Center, provide updates on their responsibilities, and contribute to team planning and problem-solving.
- Participate in a one-hour CREEO Fellows Professional Development meeting every two weeks, focused on practical professional skills, mentorship, career development, and connecting their day-to-day responsibilities to CREEO's broader mission.
- Meet regularly with their assigned supervisor or project lead to establish priorities, receive feedback, and monitor progress.
- Contribute to at least one major CREEO project or product during the fellowship appointment.
Biweekly Fellows Professional Development meetings will provide a shared cohort experience and opportunities for Fellows to develop skills that complement their hands-on work at CREEO.
Topics may include:
- Understanding CREEO's mission, programs, research, and partnerships
- Professional communication
- Project and time management
- Working within university systems
- Purchasing, reimbursements, travel, and other university processes
- Event and convening management
- Working effectively with external partners and stakeholders
- Research fundamentals and research ethics
- Research-to-practice and communicating research to different audiences
- Career exploration, resumes/CVs, interviewing, and networking
- Graduate school and other educational pathways
- Leadership and professional reflection
By the end of their appointment, each Fellow will have made a substantive contribution to at least one major CREEO project or product.
The expectation is not that every Fellow independently produces a publication. Rather, each Fellow should be able to identify a significant body of work to which they contributed and clearly describe their role in bringing that work to completion.
Depending on CREEO's active projects and the Fellow's assignment, interests, and experience, the major contribution could include:
- A peer-reviewed publication or manuscript
- A policy or research brief
- A research or program report
- A major program or curriculum resource
- A conference presentation, poster, or proposal
- A public-facing research or practitioner resource
- A major CREEO convening or initiative and resulting products
- A program evaluation or research dissemination product
When appropriate, Fellows' contributions will be acknowledged or credited in accordance with the nature and level of their contribution.
- CREEO Fellows will work up to 20 hours per week during the fellowship appointment and will receive an hourly wage in accordance with the applicable UC Berkeley student employment classification.
- The weekly commitment includes assigned program and operational responsibilities, weekly CREEO team meetings, required project meetings, and the one-hour biweekly Fellows Professional Development meeting.
- Fellows may occasionally need to adjust their schedules to support CREEO events, meetings, or other activities. These expectations will be communicated in advance and will remain within applicable university employment requirements.
The CREEO Fellows Program is open to UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students.
Fellows should:
- Be enrolled and in good academic standing during the fellowship period.
- Be able to commit approximately 20 hours per week.
- Demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills.
- Be able to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.
- Be interested in gaining professional experience within a university-based research and program center.
- Be able to work both collaboratively and independently.
- Demonstrate professionalism when interacting with faculty, staff, students, educators, program participants, and external partners.
- Respond in a timely manner and communicate proactively about availability, questions, or challenges that arise.
- Be willing to participate fully in CREEO team meetings, professional development, programs, and events.
Prior research experience is not required, as research support represents one component of the broader fellowship experience.