For the past five decades, the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) has offered unique internship programs that provide college students with experiential learning and civic engagement opportunities. NYPIRG provides students with exceptional experiences that augment their classroom education by offering a full-time internship based in Albany, NY – the “Donald K. Ross Future Leaders Program.”
This internship program is named after NYPIRG’s first Executive Director, Donald K. Ross. Donald teamed up with consumer advocate Ralph Nader to develop the idea that ultimately led to the establishment of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) across the nation. Their ideas, contained in the book Action for a Change, offered a blueprint for PIRGs, which have now spread to roughly half of the states. Donald moved on to become NYPIRG’s first director in 1973. He then left a decade later and was involved in the creation of other civic organizations across the country. His work of establishing organizations that offer young people the opportunity to influence public policy lives on through this program.
Bus riders deserve faster, reliable, and accessible bus service. Flatbush Avenue is a critical cross-borough transportation route that students, shoppers, and workers use every day. Data from 2019 shows that Flatbush Avenue also serves 118,000 average daily bus riders on 12 routes. The B41 bus alone services 22,500 average daily riders.
Bringing awareness to improving bus service on Flatbush Avenue could not be more important for students geting to class, families getting to work and recreation, and shoppers getting to their errands and home again.
We are excited to invite you to NYPIRG's Fall Student Leadership Conference on November 9th! Our conference will consist of guest speakers and breakout series for students to dive a little deeper in conversations with their peers.
Our annual Spring Student Empowerment Conference was on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at SUNY Purchase. Student activists came together and harnessed their collective power, participating in a day full of skill workshops, talks from different policy and campaign professionals, games, and MORE!
Check out this video from NYPIRG's Fall 2023 Virtual Student Empowerment Conference:
Higher Education Storybank
Students are using their voice for an affordable and accessible higher education.
Public Health Storybank
Hear from students about how barriers to quality, affordable health care impact their lives.
Voter Empowerment
Make your voice heard and help increase student voter participation.
NYPIRG Student Network
Sign up to find out what is happening on your campus and to get involved.
Impacting Democracy
Create positive change on campus and in your community.
Small Claims Court Action Center
Become a volunteer counselor and promote consumer justice.
For the past five decades, the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) has offered unique internship programs that provide college students with experiential learning and civic engagement opportunities. NYPIRG provides students with exceptional experiences that augment their classroom education by offering a full-time internship based in Albany, NY – the “Donald K. Ross Future Leaders Program.”
This internship program is named after NYPIRG’s first Executive Director, Donald K. Ross. Donald teamed up with consumer advocate Ralph Nader to develop the idea that ultimately led to the establishment of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) across the nation. Their ideas, contained in the book Action for a Change, offered a blueprint for PIRGs, which have now spread to roughly half of the states. Donald moved on to become NYPIRG’s first director in 1973. He then left a decade later and was involved in the creation of other civic organizations across the country. His work of establishing organizations that offer young people the opportunity to influence public policy lives on through this program.
Check out this video from NYPIRG's Fall 2023 Virtual Student Empowerment Conference:
