Welcome to the UW Seattle NextGen Civic Leader Corps!
We are a growing community of University of Washington (UW) undergraduate students who are passionate about public service, community engagement, and civic leadership.
Through a combination of coursework, experiential learning opportunities, fellowships and Signature Events, our goal is to empower and equip the next generation of public service leaders. 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 highlight public service: from engaging with leaders in the field, skill building workshops, community service and networking events.
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 choose to major in Public Policy or minor in Public Policy or Leadership. You’ll receive
- NextGen Civic Leader Corps Badge
- Graduation stole
- Transcripted minor in Public Policy or Leadership, or major in Public Policy
The Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center, in partnership with the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, is excited to announce the launch of the NextGen Civic Leader Badge!
We are looking for students from all majors/disciplines who are interested in demonstrating their commitment to the public good by Uand practicing reflection on the impact of their good works. The NextGen Civic Leader Badge serves as a visible demonstration of commitment to civic leadership. Students that complete the badge will receive special recognition and be able to display the digital badge on their resume and as part of their online presence.
Students interested in pursuing the NextGen Civic Leader Badge can get an introduction to the process and answers to their questions at upcoming information sessions. (In person sessions held in Mary Gates Hall, Suite 171—the Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity. Please check out the NextGen Trumba calendar for all info session details!
Additional Details about the program
The NextGen Civic Leader Badge is open to any Seattle campus* undergraduate or graduate student. The badge can be earned at any point in a student’s career but is particularly well suited to students in their final two years of study. To earn the badge, students must log their civic health activities via the Civic Health Scorecard and complete a Centerpiece Activity. Centerpiece Activities are significant commitments (100 or more hours) to one issue or organization; Centerpiece Activities also involve reflection, and students must make a connection between the activity and their experience as a UW student.
*The NextGen Civic Leader Badge will be available to students at the Bothell and Tacoma campuses in future academic years. The current pilot program (Winter and Spring Quarters 2026) is limited to Seattle campus students.
Please email Kathryn at purschk@uw.edu with any questions or to arrange a customized information session for your group!
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. We actively encourage participation from students that have lived experience in communities underrepresented at the UW.
Ready to join NextGen? Sign up to join the network and begin receiving the NextGen Newsletter today.
What happens after I join?
Once you sign up for the newsletter, you will start to receive updates direct to your inbox every Tuesday with the latest updates about upcoming events and opportunities for connection!
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.