CBU and Riverside County Launch ANCHOR Fellowship
ANCHOR Fellowship gives nine CBU graduate social work students yearlong leadership assignments with Riverside County DPSS.
By Academic Writing Club Newsroom
California Baptist University and Riverside County’s Department of Public Social Services have launched the yearlong ANCHOR Fellowship for nine graduate social work students. The first cohort began on August 26 with a blazer ceremony at CBU. Fellows will work on projects within the county agency, which serves more than 1 million residents each year. The program gives students leadership-focused assignments in public-sector human services.
Leadership Projects for Fellows
ANCHOR, short for Advancing New Careers in Human Services and Organization Resilience, places CBU graduate students alongside DPSS professionals. Their assignments will connect to department programs, operations and services.
Dr. Phil Breitenbucher, director of CBU’s Office of Professional and Career Development and associate professor of social work at California Baptist University, said:
“ANCHOR moves our students from studying leadership to practicing it on projects that matter to the community. These fellows bring experience, advanced education and a commitment to service. ANCHOR allows them to put that experience to work while preparing for leadership roles in human services.”
Workforce Need in Riverside County
U.S. Census Bureau figures put Riverside County’s population at about 2.54 million in 2025, up 5.2% from 2020. The 2025 California Health Interview Survey found a severe shortage of social work professionals in the Inland Empire.
The inaugural fellows are enrolled in CBU’s Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work programs. They bring backgrounds in public service, social services and the military.
Public Service Career Experience
Unlike a traditional internship, the fellowship is designed for graduate students with existing professional and academic experience. Over the year, fellows will complete DPSS projects, build professional relationships and learn more about careers in government human services.
Charity Douglas, director of Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, said:
“Each of these future leaders has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve, while helping to shape how services are delivered for years to come. We are honored to partner with CBU in equipping the next generation of leaders to create a lasting legacy of care.”
