The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good seeks to inspire and equip students for lives and careers of ethical public service and serving others.
Vision
Public service is viewed as activities that directly contribute to the achievement of a common objective or value, on a public policy level, in areas such as government, business, the environment, healthcare, and education, particularly policies that may affect the poor and disenfranchised. Thus, public service can be performed in the public, nonprofit or private sectors.
The Center will be a national model for interdisciplinary education, research and action that promotes effective, principled civic engagement. Students and faculty who participate in Center programs will contribute to the forging of sound public policies and programs. Goals for the Center include promoting the common good for all and contributing to the creation of just social and economic structures that respect and incorporate the needs of all, including the poor and disenfranchised.
The Center is dedicated to sponsoring academic programs, public events, service learning opportunities, conferences and faculty and student research that encourage civic engagement and ethical public leadership. The Center will embody the mission of USF which is "to educate leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world."
