Legislative Staff Academy

The California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Staff Academy provides staff with an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and management skills that aim to support upward mobility in their careers.

The program is designed around a four-pillar conceptual model of API upward mobility: building individual readiness for change, creating peer networks and safe spaces, explaining the unwritten rules of the Legislature, and connections to power through cultivating relationships with influential leaders.

Program Overview

  • The Legislative Staff Academy is a 9-month program, 60-hour leadership program for API legislative staff

  • 12 highly interactive, expert-led seminars on six core topics

  • Team project to benefit and build the pipeline of young legislative staff and high school leaders

  • Customized 5-year career planning session with the Executive Director

  • Personalized 1:1 mentor program

  • Policy briefings

  • All sessions will be conducted in person in Sacramento, CA

  • Free program to the participant, thanks to generous sponsors and supporters

Now accepting applications.
Apply through the button below.

What can participants expect?

Participants can expect to experience a well-rounded and immersive experience tailored to provide the participants with the relationships and essential hard and soft skills needed to navigate the complexities of public service. The program pairs strengths based data, individual goals and the insider insights to help participants navigate their path in public service. Whether it is a path to elected office or to excel as a legislative or administrative staffer, participants will acquire the knowledge, skills and relationships they will need to get them there.

Brandon Seto, Class of 2018
Senior Floor Consultant, Office of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon

“As a proud member of the inaugural class of the API Staff Academy, I can say that my professional development and career have been enhanced tremendously by this experience. API Staff Academy not only provides knowledge and a deeper understanding of the legislative world, but it pairs you with a mentor who shares your values and goals. The mentorship I received in the program was without equal. The Academy utilizes the most prestigious talent and accomplished individuals to serve as mentors. It’s hard to overstate how much I benefited from having my mentor recount his experiences and directly impart his wisdom to me. His guidance was a turning point in my career. Now, I am fortunate enough to call him my boss, and also my friend. API Staff Academy mentorship made this possible, and I am eternally grateful for this opportunity.”

Maheen Ahmed, Class of 2019
Deputy Director, Office of CARE, California Department of Justice - Office of Attorney General

"The legislature can be an intimidating space to be in, especially when you do not see yourself represented well (or at all) in the staff and legislators around you. As a Muslim, Pakistani staffer who started in the building in 2016, and as a new Legislative Director, the Institute has provided me with a strong network of mentors, deep relationships with other staffers from similar API backgrounds, as well as tools to expand my understandings of politics. More importantly, it has helped me feel more comfortable and confident in this political sphere knowing that I have a support system that I can turn to for advice and guidance when I need it."