Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

Build connections for your career in public service

The NextGen Civic Leader Corps is a collaborative effort between the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and the Community Engagement & Leadership Education (CELE) Center in Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Through coursework, experiential learning, and professional network building, the program allows students to recognize and deepen their commitment to community engagement and public service. The program is part of a growing network of similar program across the country powered by the Volcker Alliance Next Generation Service Corps.

We offer guided advising, programming and financial support to diverse undergraduate students who are socially engaged & community-rooted leaders. The program offers a semi-structured pathway that combines academic coursework, peer networking, and career exploration in government, non-profit, and social venture organizations.

Program participants complete three program elements and earn a modest scholarship.  

Public Policy and Leadership Coursework

NextGen Civic Leader Corps participants are required to take a minimum of one course in the Public Policy or Leadership minor. This coursework provides an academic anchor for your public service career exploration, builds your understanding of theoretical frameworks, and can prepare you to talk about your community-engagement and leadership experiences in job interviews and/or graduate school applications.  

Choose how to complete this requirement:

  • LEAD 100: Learning Leadership (Autumn or Winter)  
  • PUBPOL 201: Introduction to Public Policy & Governance (Autumn or Winter)  
  • PUB POL 299: Cross-sector Leadership (Spring and Summer)  
  • Many courses outside the PUBPOL or LEAD course headings will also count!  
  • Electives that count for either minor may also count toward this requirement. This includes many courses outside the PUBPOL or LEAD course headings.  

NextGen participants are strongly encouraged to consider a minor in Leadership or Public Policy.  

Career Building Experiences

In addition to the context and connections that NextGen Civic Leader Corps participants will get through courses and peer connections, they also engage in one non-profit or government career building opportunity. These career building experiences will connect participants with professionals in a field of interest, build personal and professional networks, and in many cases allow students to gain practical experience working in a nonprofit or government organization.  

Choose how to complete the requirement:   

A paid or unpaid public service internship  

Career mentorship program  

Signature Cohort Events

Signature cohort events allow NextGen Civic Leader Corps participants to build their networks, engage with new ideas, and consider how others approach pressing social issues and cultural conversations. Events span varied categories, including direct service, network building, and social/cultural events. Many signature events are facilitated specifically for NextGen Civic Leader Corps members and offer direct connections with notable community leaders, public policy practitioners, and/or elected officials.    

We ask program participants to attend at least two signature cohort events each academic year; these events are a great way to get started with the program and meet the advisors! 

Fall quarter events:

Wednesday, October 19, 4-5:30 pm; Mary Gates Hall, 171

  • Workshop: Telling your Civic Leadership Story

Thursday, October 27, 6-8:30 pm, HUB

Thursday, November 3, 5-8 pm; University District Food Bank

Thursday, November 10, 5:30-8 pm; Othello-UW Commons

Thursday, December 8, 5:30-8pm; Othello-UW Commons

*RSVP is required; please email nextgenleader@uw.edu

Scholarship Details

Scholarship details forthcoming.

How to Join & office hours

The program is open to all University of Washington undergraduates. Students with a demonstrated history of work with underserved and underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to consider participation.  

Interested, please fill out this interest form and we will stay in touch about program opportunities.   

Interested students can email our program advisers—Amen and Kathryn—at nextgenleader@uw.edu with questions or to learn more about any part of the NextGen Civic Leader Corps program! 

Office location: Mary Gates Hall #171

Please note office hours for Fall quarter will be posted in mid-September.