The Gephardt Institute for Public Service:The Academy and Civic Engagement

Amanda Moore McBride, PhDAssistant Professor of Social Work

Director, Gephardt Institute for Public Service

Presentation to the Washington University Faculty SenateNovember 29, 2007

Presentation Content

• Context

• Mission of the Gephardt Institute

• Five strategic objectives

The Forms of Civic Engagement

• Mutual aid and neighboring

• Giving and volunteering

• Voting and advocacy

• Public service careers

The Role of the Academy

•The classroom as civic lab

•The unique role of a research university

•Instilling a life-long ethic of service to society

•The rise in academic centers dedicated to civic engagement

The Gephardt Institute for Public Service

. . .promotes

life-long civic engagement

through

educationally-based service initiatives

across Washington University in St. Louis

Strategic Direction of the Gephardt Institute

GOAL I: Advance community-based teaching and learning

Professor Gay Lorberbaum teaches a service-learning course for American Culture Studies, entitled "Rediscovering the Child: Designing and Teaching Problem Solving Workshops For Urban Elementary Children."

Strategic Direction of the Gephardt Institute

GOAL II: Maximize global service and cross-cultural learning

The student group, Engineers Without Borders, applies technological innovations to housing and cooking supplies in Antigua, Guatemala through an ongoing partnership.

Strategic Direction of the Gephardt Institute

GOAL III: Support civic life and the pursuit of public service careers

Through the Public Service Law Clinic, law students provide public interest legal support in St. Louis, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and India.

Strategic Direction of the Gephardt Institute

GOAL IV: Explore service opportunities for alumni and older adults connected to the University

Joan Kelly Horn, member of the University’s Life-Long Learning Institute, facilitates a public debate in Bosnia on the role of citizen groups.

Strategic Direction of the Gephardt Institute

GOAL V: Support service initiatives across the University led by the Community Service Office

Core Functions and Infrastructure

•Leadership•Steering committee•Advisory committee

•Clearinghouse function•Annual inventory•Website•Public affairs

•Annual events•Campus-wide community service fair: September •Public service lecture: October•Government and public policy career fair: November•University showcase of service: April

Institute Leadership Team

Amanda Moore McBride, PhD, Assistant Professor of Social Work, and Director, Gephardt Institute

Stephanie Kurtzman, Director, Community Service Office, and Associate Director, Gephardt Institute

Robin Hattori, Program Director, Gephardt Institute

David Jolley, Senior Director of Development, Gephardt Institute

Steve Givens, Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs, and Liaison, Gephardt Institute

Rob Wild, Assistant to the Chancellor, and Liaison, Gephardt Institute

gephardtinstitute@wustl.edu

314-935-8628