GLENDALE—Community and Government Affairs Intern Jennifer Movsessian joins the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) where she is working a range of projects from civic engagement and community service to educational initiatives. As part of the program she is also serving as an extern with the Genocide Education Project, a San Francisco-based human rights education organization.
“Working with both ANC-WR and The Genocide Education Project, I am learning new ways to spread awareness and educate communities about Armenian American issues at the local, state, and national levels,” says Movsessian. “I look forward to learning more about our government by taking advantage of the August Congressional Recess and facilitating meetings between elected officials and their constituents.”
Movsessian is especially excited about her work with the Genocide Education Project. She has been researching the school curriculums of all 50 states to better understand what they teach students about human rights violations, particularly the Armenian Genocide.
Already halfway through the program, Movsessian is busy tackling several community outreach oriented projects. She is exploring ways to better connect the ANC with campus-based Armenian American fraternities and sororities. She is working with her fellow interns on a community service project with the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles. She is also helping lay the foundation to help the ANC more broadly engage Los Angeles County departments and programs.
Movsessian currently attends the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she serves as chapter Treasurer and Senate Representative of the Armenian-interest sorority, Alpha Gamma Alpha. She is also on the executive board of the UCLA Armenian Students’ Association.
She credits her experience in leadership positions, including her 4 years as Associated Student Body Class President at Glendale High School, with preparing her for the internship with ANC-WR.
Movsessian is considering careers in education or the U.S government. She is also a graduate of the ANC Glendale Internship Program and plans to remain active in both the ANC and the Armenian American community in general after completing the ANC-WR IEP, where she already serves as a teacher’s aide of Hygazoonyats Armenian School and a Sunday School volunteer of the Holy Trinity Armenian Evangelical Church.
The Armenian National Committee-Western Region is the largest Armenian American grassroots community organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
This is wonderful news. Good luck to Movsessian. We need more young people to participate in politics.