Next Generation Service Corps
Next Generation Service Corps
The Next Generation Service Corps inspires and prepares college students to serve their communities and nation.
The Next Generation Service Corps (NextGen Service) is a network of programs at universities across the country that inspire and prepare students to serve their communities and nation. Led by schools of public service, NextGen Service programs introduce undergraduates from all majors to public service values and build practical, collaborative leadership skills. NextGen Service opens the door to careers in public service for college students.
Approach
NextGen Service was inspired by the pioneering Public Service Academy at Arizona State University (ASU) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. ASU’s NextGen Service program:
- Engages students in a four-year curriculum;
- Recruits students from high school who go on to study all disciplines and majors in college;
- Prioritizes recruitment of student populations traditionally underrepresented in government;
- Emphasizes public service values and community engagement;
- Integrates experiential learning through required internships in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors;
- Organizes students into cohorts to participate in mission-focused projects and other activities to strengthen bonds;
- Offers regular structured opportunities to collaborate with fellow students outside the classroom;
- Provides financial incentives to participate in the program, according to need; and
- Awards a credit-bearing certificate upon completion.
Inspired by ASU, each participating NextGen Service school has adopted elements of the Public Service Academy model while customizing the program to leverage the unique assets of its community. Some schools have designed entirely new programs; others have enhanced existing courses, credentials, or resources. Many continue to add new elements as their programs mature.
Our Support
The Volcker Alliance offers schools a range of support to propel design and implementation of NextGen Service programs, including seed funding, coaching, and structured opportunities to share progress and lessons learned. The Volcker Alliance facilitates the sharing of resources and best practices among participating NexGen Service schools to inform program design and expansion.
Key to the initiative is the cultivation of a vital national network of service-minded students and alumni. The Volcker Alliance provides cross-school programming to foster this network, coordinating creative activities through which students can work together and forge durable professional bonds. Learn more about our student network at the link below.
NextGen Service Corps
NextGen Service is growing and currently includes 21 member universities:
- Albany State University
- Arizona State University
- Baruch College
- Clark Atlanta University
- Florida International University
- Georgia State University
- Indiana University Bloomington
- James Madison University
- Montclair State University
- North Carolina Central University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Syracuse University
- Texas Southern University
- The City College of New York
- University of Baltimore
- University of Houston
- University of Nebraska Omaha
- University of New Mexico
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
