The annual spring Cerrell Political Leadership Summit, institutionalized by Joseph R. Cerrell, is hosted by the Unruh Institute each year in Sacramento.
About the Summit
The program provides USC students the opportunity to meet the executive and legislative leaders who shape the laws and policies of the state. Scheduled events include discussions with legislators, lobbyists, campaign strategists, journalists, Capitol staff, and representatives of the Newsom Administration. In addition to these formally structured events, students meet and network with political, policy, and government experts throughout their time in Sacramento.
The Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics invites you to apply to the 2024 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit. This annual trip is held in honor of Joe Cerrell, one of the nation’s pioneer political consultants, who would take students to Sacramento to meet with California’s legislative and political leaders. This year’s Cerrell Summit will take place Sunday, February 25 through Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in partnership with Loyola Marymount University, Cal State East Bay, Fullerton College, California State University Fresno, and University of San Francisco. In Sacramento, students will have the opportunity to meet the executive and legislative leaders who shape California’s laws and policies.
Application and Eligibility
Transportation from Los Angeles to Sacramento, hotel accommodations in Sacramento, and most meals will be provided. Students will be responsible for personal and incidental expenses. The program is open to all USC students currently pursuing degrees at USC with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition to exemplary academic work, candidates should have a demonstrated interest in politics, government or public service, as shown through one or more of the following ways:
- Political volunteerism
- Political internships
- Politically-related student activities
- Attendance and/or participation in Center for the Political Future events
- Attending and/or organizing political events (especially on-campus)
The 2024 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit application is now closed. The application will reopen in December 2024 for the 2025 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit.
Please direct all questions to unruhins@usc.edu.
2023 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit Recap
Thank you to all our partners, professionals, students, and staff who made the 2023 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit such a success! The annual Cerrell Political Leadership Summit in Sacramento has empowered students to explore careers in politics since 2010. See all photos for the 2023 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit.
CPF’s 2023 Cerrell Political Leadership Summit took place from Sunday, February 26 through Tuesday, February 28 in partnership with Loyola Marymount University, Fullerton College, Chabot College, Saint Mary’s College, California State University Fresno, and University of San Francisco.
Throughout the summit, students met and learned from multiple professionals, from legislators to Capitol staff to journalists to lobbyists. Students had the unique opportunity to network with elected officials, such as California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and various California Senators and Assembly members, responsible for shaping the laws and policies of the state. This engaging career development opportunity provided students with insights into state politics, public service, and civic engagement.