Political Science Major Miguel Centeno Wins $5,000 Summer Grant
The political science department would like to congratulate Miguel Centeno for receiving the William Fitzgerald Service in Action summer grant. Miguel received this prestigious award for his work in the summer of 2009 with the Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation, an organization that provides legal counsel
ing to the poor and impoverished. This volunteer internship tied together Miguel’s double majors in political science and economics and was an eye-opening experience for the full-time student and father of two. “It was a very hands-on and raw experience. The legal system doesn’t accommodate people who can’t afford it,” Centeno has said. “It was very touching and sad to watch people who didn’t understand the procedures or how to maneuver the complex legal system.
Next up for Centeno is an internship with the Los Angeles city Hall Office of International Trade where he will assist in bringing business from around the world to Los Angeles. After he graduates in 2011, Centeno hopes to attend graduate school and work in economics.