Volcker Alliance and Montclair State University Host the First Next Generation Service Corps Summer Summit

This month, the Volcker Alliance partnered with Montclair State University to host the inaugural Next Generation Service Corps Summer Summit. Delegations of students from the Alliance’s NextGen Service national network—hailing from Arizona State University, Georgia State University, Indiana University, Montclair State University, Syracuse University, University of Houston, University of Nebraska – Omaha, University of Washington, and City College of New York—traveled to the New York City area to engage in team building, community service, networking, and active learning with mentors and peers.

Core to the Summit experience, students selected one of six social issues—the environment, criminal justice, education, health, politics/civil rights, and affordable housing/homelessness—and worked together to collaboratively envision what the future could look like ten years from now in that space.

“Collaborating with my peers, I engaged in a climate and environment social mission challenge. Over the course of four days, my team brainstormed, conducted impact mapping, and prepared a presentation on ways we might actively create a better environment through public policy,” said Selena Morse, a rising sophomore from Arizona State University. “This project was inspiring as I was able to learn from the experience of my peers and appreciate how much influence we can have if we proactively collaborate.”

The students also spent a day in New York City—the very first visit for many Summit participants. The group toured the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and had a discussion over lunch with NYC Council Member Shaun Abreu, hosted by the Alliance’s communications partner, SKDK. In smaller groups, participants toured the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, visited the United States Mission to the United Nations where they were fortunate enough to meet Ambassador Christopher Lu, and joined a conversation on criminal justice with Kate Mogulescu and Patrice Smith of the Survivors Justice Project.

“I had the opportunity to enter the Volcker Alliance office and participate in a conversation about mass incarceration with a woman who was previously incarcerated but is making great waves as an advocate and building a career in the field of Software Engineering. This conversation inspired me never to accept inequalities in the law and to always fight for equality,” said Nathan Torabi, a rising sophomore at Syracuse University.

The students spent their final evening reflecting on how their experiences and the connections forged at the Summit will further their impact as future leaders of public service.

“I am beyond grateful to have represented the University of Nebraska at Omaha & the NextGen Leadership Corps at the first NextGen Service Leadership Corps Summit at Montclair University,” said Johnnah Bailey, a rising junior. “It was inspiring to meet other students from across the nation who are passionate and eager to make a difference. I am excited to bring back what I've learned from this experience and contribute to positive change not just on the UNO campus, but beyond.”