IBII LIFT Project Research InternAt — CSUF - College of Humanities & Social Science

LIFT (Language, Identity, and Fluency as Black Tradition) challenges the stereotype that Black people in the U.S. only speak English, highlighting the rich multilingual heritage of the African diaspora. This project examines how lingual stereotypes impact Black students’ interest in language learning, their classroom experiences, and their sense of identity.

Learning Outcomes  

Do hands-on research design & analysis experience
Receive professional mentoring & engage in collaborative problem solving
Engage in public speaking & academic writing for conferences
Develop cultural competence in understanding Black multilingual identities

Training  

Create Inclusive Learning Environments: Foster a mentoring relationship grounded in respect, empathy, and cultural humility; Encourage open dialogue and ensure that students’ identities and perspectives are valued in all aspects of the work.

Provide Clear Guidance and Structure: Set realistic expectations for meetings, deadlines, and project goals; Clarify when and how the research or creative work will take place (e.g., lab hours, fieldwork, virtual meetings, community events).

Maintain Consistent and Responsive Communication: Respond to student communications in a timely manner and arrive on time to all scheduled meetings and events.

Support Student Skill Development: Identify and intentionally support growth in key areas such as research design, writing, critical thinking, data interpretation, or creative production; Model and encourage professional behaviors including reliability, ethical conduct, and self-reflection.

Provide Regular Feedback and Progress Updates: Offer constructive, honest, and respectful feedback on student work and engagement; Participate in the semesterly Reflection & Evaluation process by completing the mentor feedback worksheet and meeting with IBII leadership to discuss student progress.

Encourage Professional and Academic Growth: Support opportunities for the student to present, publish, or share their work through IBII events, campus symposia, or community forums; Empower students to see themselves as emerging scholars, artists, or professionals capable of contributing to their field.

Tasks/Duties  

Helping prepare and submit an IRB application
Creating research materials for both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews, focus groups) data collection
Reading relevant literature and engage in rich empirical discussions
Contributing to research presentations, posters, and potential publications
Attending and present at research conferences

Application Requirements:

• Personal statement (500 words)
• Unofficial transcript
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Interview

Application Email/URL/Other
mnubia-feliciano@fullerton.edu

Required Documents  

• Résumé
• Cover Letter

Internship Term  

• Fall
• Spring