FA-PAC Internship Program

Faculty Association Political Action Committee Internship Program

Brief description
The Faculty Association Political Action Committee (FA-PAC) Internship Program is a faculty-student collaborative enterprise. Based on the firm belief that faculty working conditions are student learning conditions, the program brings together faculty mentors and student interns to engage in community organizing, campaigns and elections, and advocacy work aimed at advancing our collective interests.

Watch the FA-PAC video about the organization and see its members in action

The Internship Program is funded by faculty and students. Faculty Mentors and the Intern Coordinator are paid by the FA-PAC; student interns are paid by the De Anza Student Government (DASG) and Associated Students of Foothill College (ASFC).

Students: How To Get Involved

We hire interns in spring for the following academic year. The next formal hiring period is spring quarter 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. [FA-PAC Internship Program Application 2025-2026]

If you are a Foothill or De Anza student interested in applying, contact the Intern Coordinator, Rami Abukhater (rami.abukhaters@gmail.com), or faculty mentor (Bob Stockwell).

Faculty: How to Get Involved

If you’re interested in learning more about the Internship Program and/or becoming a faculty mentor, please contact (Bob Stockwell).

If you’d like to support the Internship Program financially, become a supporter of the FA-PAC. If you’re already a contributor, thank you! If you wish to increase your support or become a supporter, please do so at: FA-PAC Voluntary Payroll Deduction Form.

Brief Background

Since its inception in 2012, the Internship Program has worked on numerous campaigns and initiatives, including:

Propositions 30 and 32
The Fight for $15 (minimum wage campaign)
The Student Representation Fee (SRF) campaign
Proposition 15 (Commercial Property Tax Reform)
Measure G & H (the District Bond campaign and the dedication of $200 million to affordable faculty, staff, and student housing)
Patrick Ahrens for Assembly District 26

2024/2025 Mentors

Laura Chin

I am a political science professor at De Anza College, Foothill-De Anza Community College District Faculty Association Political Action Committee faculty mentor, Active Minds advisor, Social Sciences and Humanities graduation keynote speaker (2020-21, 2023), and a Social Sciences and Humanities Equity Core Team member since 2017. As a former community college student I relate to our students at De Anza College. My area of focus is on American Politics and California Politics. I hope to encourage my students to strive toward their dreams and goals. I enjoy avocado toast, driving my Honda, and long walks on the beach.

Daniel Solomon

I’m a part-time instructor at De Anza College, where I teach anthropology and gender studies, and serve with the Faculty Association as an Assistant Negotiator. In my dreams, which are a lot like my real life, I am a dedicated teacher, I live in the woods, I write weird stories and poems, and I contribute to my community. But in my dreams, being a dedicated teacher is enough to have stable, affordable housing, healthcare, and a way forward when I’m eventually disabled from working; in my dreams, I am not grinding at a discount for inferior or non-existent benefits, and not under-serving my students by piling on multiple gigs in far-flung districts. In my dreams, I can help my students achieve their goals and find ways to flourish; and in my dreams, I have access to the same stability and opportunities to flourish that the California Community College system implicitly promises our students.

Robert Stockwell

I teach Political Science at De Anza. I’m active in our union, the Faculty Association (FA). I’m currently the Executive Secretary and Chair of the Political Action Committee (FA-PAC). In 2012 I co-created the FA-PAC Internship Program and have been a faculty mentor ever since. The FA-PAC Internship Program is a great opportunity for students and faculty to work together for the advancement of our collective interests. It is an honor to be a part of this wonderful collaboration!

FA-PAC INTERN COORDINATOR

Rami Abukhater

Rami (he/ him) is a 2nd year De Anza student working towards transferring to a university to pursue a Computer Science degree. In my free time I study and also play and make video games. I am currently the president of the Game Developers Club here at De Anza. Despite being a Computer Science student, I want to stay active and engaged in my community and be able to help and support society in a way that is impactful for students and underserved Americans. I joined FA-PAC in fall of 2023, and with them I want to work with just causes and learn skills to continue to practice social volunteering throughout my life so I can continue to better myself and the people around me.

2024/2025 FA-PAC Interns

Khadijah Abdalla

Khadijah Abdalla (she/her) is a 2nd year student at De Anza majoring in Political Science. I think it’s important to stay involved in my communities and to support and represent the needs of everyone! I’m also grateful to be the vice president of De Anza’s Muslim Student Association where I can work towards fostering a welcoming environment for our community. Through FA-PAC I’m given the opportunity to enact meaningful change and gain real world experience that I can apply to my studies, which has helped me greatly and broadened my worldview. Outside of FA-PAC, I enjoy spending time with friends, reading and hiking!

Riki Alvarez

Riki Alvarez (He/Him) is in his 3rd year at De Anza, majoring in political science. After I completed my civic engagement project, the experience galvanized me to join FA-PAC and demonstrated to me the critical impact of collective activism in addressing social issues. I joined FA-PAC because I desire to be involved in an organization that aims to ensure better working and school conditions for students, staff, and faculty. It’s essential to stay active and engaged in our communities, which FA-PAC allows me to do—aiding and supporting students, staff, and faculty. I’m thrilled to learn more about community organizing and local campaigns and expand my capabilities. In my free time, I care for my plants (my Bonsai tree is my favorite), practice Jiu-Jitsu, or strum my Ukulele as I burn incense.

Gillian Grubb

Gillian Grubb is a 2nd year student at De Anza who is majoring in Political Science: I started working on the Patrick Ahrens campaign this summer and was able to continue that work this fall with FA-PAC. I’m so excited to see what else I can accomplish through this internship and gain more hands on political experience that would allow me to make change both in the Bay Area and the De Anza community.

Shaur Kadilaya

Shaur Kadilaya (they/them) is a second year political science and philosophy major at Foothill: I have been with FA-PAC since the start of the 24-25 academic year. I’ve always been interested in contributing to social justice causes and making a material difference around me, and I joined FA-PAC for the opportunity of getting real-world political experience. On campus I’m a part of our social justice club, fund the future, and speech and debate which I also teach at my local high school. In my free time I love being stressed about sports, cooking, and going on long walks with my friends and my dog.

Audrey Kim

Audrey (she/her) is a 2nd year student at De Anza whose majoring in Political Science: I joined FA-PAC to be involved in an active community that strives for a better working place for both students and faculty! I believe it is important to be an active member of the community and to stand up for what you believe in.

Jeremiah Moli

Bio to come.