People Power for Florida Launches Spearman Civic Engagement Internship to Develop Florida’s Next Generation of Civic Leaders

FLORIDA – This week, People Power for Florida is launching the Spearman Civic Engagement Internship Program, a statewide leadership development program designed to equip first- and second-year college students with the skills, experiences, and tools to become effective civic leaders in their communities.

The inaugural cohort will bring together students from Florida State University (FSU), the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses (USF), and Florida A&M University (FAMU) who are passionate about strengthening their communities and expanding civic participation among their peers. 

Named in honor of lifelong Floridian and PPFF supporter Guy Spearman, and his commitment to investing in young people and strengthening our democracy, the Spearman Internship prepares students to become the next generation of civic leaders while expanding nonpartisan voter education and voter registration on college campuses across Florida.

This program is built upon the success of NextUp at FSU, an award-winning student leadership program piloted at Florida State University with Guy Spearman’s early investment and support. Through NextUp, 12 students received a semester-long, paid experience that combined leadership development workshops with hands-on opportunities to plan and lead civic engagement events on campus. 

Building on the lessons and successes of NextUp, People Power for Florida is expanding the model statewide to four additional campuses: UCF, USF Tampa, USF St. Petersburg, and FAMU. The Spearman Civic Engagement Internship incorporates the curriculum, leadership trainings, and hands-on experiences refined through the NextUp program, giving students across Florida the opportunity to learn from a proven model of youth leadership development. 

"I am grateful to Guy Spearman for his belief in our work and for his investment in young people," added PPFF Founder and Executive Director Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamai. "Because of him, we are not just ensuring college students are registered to vote; we are empowering them to be civic leaders on their campuses and beyond."

Beginning in Fall 2026, Spearman Interns will serve as the driving force behind our campus voter registration, voter education, and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts during one of the most important election cycles for young voters. As young people continue to play a critical role in shaping Florida’s future, the program will empower students to turn their passion for their communities into meaningful civic action.

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Founded by State Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani in 2021, People Power for Florida is a youth-focused, nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation through voter registration, civic education, and community engagement. By partnering with organizations across the state, PPFF continues to build a stronger culture of civic participation among young Floridians.