Office of State Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance)

Summer 2012 fellow: Nardos Girma

Summer 2012 fellow email address: ngirma@stanford.edu

Faculty Mentor: Joe Nation

Faculty Mentor email: jnation@stanford.edu

Professor Nation is a Professor of the Practice of Public Policy and is the Director of the Graduate Practicum within the Public Policy Department. Professor Nation has also served in the California State Assembly and is one of the principal co-authors of California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act also known as AB 32.
Faculty website: http://publicpolicy.stanford.edu/peopleprofile/2353

Office Description:

California State Senator Ted Lieu is a distinguished Stanford alumnus who represents a million people in the coastal 28th Senate District, which includes the cities of Torrance, Carson, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo and portions of the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  Senator Lieu currently chairs the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee and the Select Committee on Air Quality.  Senator Lieu received his undergraduate degrees from Stanford (’91 B.S. in Computer Science and B.A. in Political Science) and graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown Law.

Office Website: http://sd28.senate.ca.gov

Select Committee on Air Quality Website:  http://air.senate.ca.gov

Potential Projects:

A fellow placed in the Office of Senator Ted Lieu will work on the Select Committee on Air Quality. The focus of the committee’s work is improving air quality, reducing, and mitigating pollution’s impact on the environment and public health.  In that role, the fellow will research air pollution impacts and the role of government regulation as well as any potential legislative remedies.  A fellow will be treated as a full member of the staff, with the normal responsibilities that come with being a staff member.

As a member of the Senator’s office team, the fellow will participate in legislative strategy and briefing meetings.  The Senator is very active in many areas of public policy and the fellow may be given the opportunity to work on other important and vital issues central to California’s environment.

As a member of Senator Lieu’s team, the fellow will be mentored and coached in a supportive environment that emphasizes integrity, duty, and a collective understanding of the trust and importance of serving the public in the California Senate.

Desired Personal Qualities:

  • Smart, self-starter and interested in public service.
  • Professional and poised.
  • Open-minded and passionate about working in a high profile, fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
  • A sense of humor and collegial.
  • Possesses a desire to learn and expand skills.

Desired Skills, Experience, and Coursework:

  • Coursework in public policy, environmental studies and/or science
  • Basic understanding of the legislative process and the State Legislature
  • Excellent research, writing and oral communication skills.
  • Proficiency with standard computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat and PowerPoint.

Main Fellowship Disciplines:

  • Public Policy
  • Environment and Air Quality