Welcome to the UW Seattle NextGen Civic Leader Corps!
We are a growing community of University of Washington undergraduate students who are passionate about public service, community engagement and civic leadership.
Through a combination of coursework, signature events and networking experiences, our goal is to connect like-minded peers and deepen an understanding and commitment to public service. NextGen is part of a growing network of similar programs across the country powered by the Volcker Alliance Next Generation Service Corps.
This network is open to all UW undergraduate students, year-round.
What is NextGen?
Our Community and Events
Throughout the academic year, the NextGen community engages in an array of activities that center on public service: from engaging with leaders in the field, skill building workshops, community service and networking events.
Dean’s Forum | Seeing Through the Fog: The Hidden Consequences of Executive Orders
April 2 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
We are witnessing an attempt to make fundamental changes to our national government by centralizing power in the Office of the President, altering historical international relationships, making abrupt changes to the civil service and relationships between government and nonprofit organizations. This administration has relied heavily on a constant barrage of executive orders and memos to make these changes and intimidate, confuse, and disable opposition. With more than 70 executive orders in the first month alone, much of policy conversation has been on issues like immigration, trade, and healthcare. But the impact has been much more far reaching.
In our next Dean’s Forum, we will discuss some of the hidden consequences of these recent executive orders, specifically considering how these changes are impacting nonprofits (here and abroad), small businesses, and day to day operations in cities.
This event will be held on Zoom. Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link.
Multiple Dates | 6:30 PM | Town Hall Seattle, Livestream (Hybrid)
Welcome the 2024–2025 speaker line-up! This year, the Office of Public Lectures will host speakers who will encourage us to explore the state of American democracy, race and social justice, climate change and artificial intelligence, and more. We look forward to seeing you!
NextGen has identified several lectures that align with our program goals, and would be a significant value add to our community. We invite you to join us!
May 1: The Afro Future Now
May 6: An evening with Christine Sun Kim
May 21: Judge Joel Ngugi
Welcome! Spring Celebration is a forum for CELE Center and Mary Gates Endowment students to showcase student service, leadership, and activist work conducted in partnership with the community. We are so excited to celebrate all the accomplishments of our CELE Center students and Mary Gates Leaders.
For additional Participant Information visit here
Event details
Date: Wednesday May 7, 2025
Time: 4:30 -7:30 p.m., formal welcome at 4:30 pm
Location: Husky Union Building ballroom and meeting rooms
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at springcele@uw.edu
Click here to learn more about how to register and present at Spring CELEbration 2025!
NextGen Teams provide an opportunity to meet other Huskies, build meaningful connections and explore opportunities together.
- NextGen Teams are comprised of 3 to 5 UW students who are passionate about public service and leadership. We aim to create teams that share interests but vary based on major.
- NextGen Teams complete 5 activities together:
- Host a team orientation session +fun “get to know you”
- Identify and Research a Team mission
- Previous Teams have included: Business + Finance, Communities and Built Environments, Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Local Government and Civic Engagement, Student Advocacy and On-Campus Engagement, and Technology and Innovation
- Attend at least one public service-related event, learning experience or volunteering engagement connected to your Team’s mission
- Plan and execute a project tied to the Team’s mission
- Present at Spring CELEbration
- Read about the 2025 Spring CELEbration here
The Curriculum
All NextGen Civic Leader Corps members are highly encouraged 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.
- LEAD 100: Learning Leadership (Autumn or Winter)
- PUBPOL 201: Introduction to Public Policy & Governance (Autumn or Winter)
- PUBPOL 302: Public Service Leadership (Spring and Summer)
- LEAD 490 (Leadership Certificate)
- 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.
Grow Your Leadership Experience
In addition to participating in NextGen community events and connected coursework, we also provide support with searching for or reflecting on leadership opportunities. Leadership experience could be an internship, ongoing volunteering commitment, role in a public service organization or participation in a mentorship program. There are also opportunities to serve in a NextGen student leader position!
What do NextGen Members Gain?
There are many ways to get involved in the NextGen community.
NextGen Network Members: Sign up for our weekly newsletter and attend a NextGen Signature Cohort Event. You’ll have opportunities to expand your network and develop new skills through an array of experiences.
NextGen Community Members: Members who attend at least one signature event per quarter, engage in a leadership experience, and take at least one connected course. You’ll receive:
- NextGen Civic Leader Corps Badge
- Graduation stole
- Receive priority consideration for two funded opportunities: the UW Alumni Reunion and Class Gifts Scholarship and Jackson Munro Public Service Fellowship
NextGen Scholars: Members who complete the above and minor in either Public Policy or Leadership. You’ll receive
- NextGen Civic Leader Corps Badge
- Graduation stole
- Transcripted minor
NextGen Civic Leader Corps Badge is a digital badge awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service and civic leadership by engaging in academic coursework, Signature Cohort Events and Leadership Opportunities. The digital badge can be linked to LinkedIn profiles to showcase your activities with NextGen.
Students are required to complete the NextGen Badge Checklist each quarter to inform us of your progress and plans for earning your NextGen Badge.
Questions? Book an advising meeting with NextGen Staff here.
How do I join NextGen?
Joining NextGen is easy, there is no formal application process. The network is open to all University of Washington undergraduates. Those with a demonstrated history of work with underserved and underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to consider participation.
Ready to join NextGen? Sign up today.
What happens after I join?
You will receive an email welcome from our team followed by our weekly newsletter highlighting upcoming events and opportunities. We hope you’ll join us!
Questions?
Please email nextgenleader@uw.edu with questions or set up a time to chat with Dahn Bi Lee-Hong (they/them), Student Engagement Coordinator, via Zoom or in person.