Volcker Alliance Announces Expansion of Undergraduate Public Service Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sean Keady
Email Sean.Keady@berlinrosen.com
VOLCKER ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF UNDERGRADUATE PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM
Montclair State University and North Carolina Central University join a network of eleven schools around the country preparing undergraduates for public service careers
NEW YORK, NY (January 31, 2022) – The Volcker Alliance announced today that the Next Generation Service Corps has expanded to include Montclair State University and North Carolina Central University.
The Next Generation Service Corps (NextGen Service) is a ground-breaking initiative that draws diverse, talented young people into government careers. Through NextGen Service, Schools of Public Service across the country are introducing college students to public service values and building practical, collaborative leadership skills, regardless of their chosen major.
Sara Mogulescu, President of the Volcker Alliance, said, “We are so pleased to welcome Montclair State University and North Carolina Central University into our growing network of universities committed to preparing undergraduate students for public service. It is fitting that Montclair be part of this group, as President Koppell was the driving force behind starting this movement when he built the Public Service Academy at Arizona State—a model now emulated by the schools in this network. We believe that these programs are instrumental for the future of our democracy: developing young leaders with the talent and wherewithal to rise to the challenges of our time.”
Montclair State University’s President, Jonathan Koppell, previously led Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and founded the Public Service Academy, which inspired NextGen Service. He said, “We are thrilled to join the Next Generation Service Corps. Montclair has a rich history of serving the public good, and this partnership will allow us to continue building on the work already being done throughout the institution. NextGen Service will be one of many programs that create opportunities for every Montclair student to make hands-on public service learning a part of their educational experience. Our goal is to make public service synonymous with Montclair State University, and becoming a formal part of this movement is another critical step toward that goal.” Montclair is a leading public research university and Hispanic-Serving Institution based in New Jersey which serves 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, master’s, and baccalaureate programs.
“North Carolina Central University’s motto of ‘Truth and Service’ has expanded over the course of our 111-year history and remains a pillar for our foundational mission,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., chancellor of NCCU. “In 2020, we celebrated our 25th year of requiring community service and engagement, as we recognize this valuable program addresses educational, social and other needs in Durham, the Triangle region of North Carolina and beyond. These experiences provide students with critical skills and opportunities and nurture our community’s next servant leaders. It is also part of The Eagle Promise, specifically proven leadership, which is one of four outcomes we promise to fulfill for students upon graduation. We are grateful to Volcker Alliance for including our institution as one that will continue training scholars for public service professions.”
Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University and Regional University in the South, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing, and the arts. Located in the Research Triangle region, NCCU remains committed to diversity in and access to higher education. NCCU has nearly 8,000 students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in 100 disciplines, master’s degree programs in more than 40 areas, and a Ph.D. in Integrated Biosciences.
Brett Hunt, director of Next Generation Service Initiatives at the Volcker Alliance and previously the director of the Public Service Academy at Arizona State University, said, “Montclair State University and NCCU have diverse student populations whose desire to serve their communities and their country can be nurtured and developed through NextGen Service. These great schools are already doing incredible work that is a huge value-add to our growing network.” He added, “On a personal note, it is exciting for me to be able to partner with President Koppell to continue to grow the national public service movement for undergraduates we first envisioned and launched with the Public Service Academy at Arizona State University.”
In addition to Montclair State and NC Central, NextGen Service schools include Arizona State University, The City University of New York, Georgia State University, University of Houston, Indiana University, University of Nebraska Omaha, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Washington.
The Volcker Alliance is a nonprofit founded by former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul A. Volcker dedicated to advancing his vision of an empowered public sector workforce. Our work supports current and aspiring public servants by strengthening public service education, championing public service values, and providing strategies to help them deliver better results. Visit volckeralliance.org to learn more. Follow us on social media @VolckerAlliance and subscribe to the Volcker Alliance newsletter for the latest news and developments. The Volcker Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization.
