Public Service Fellows

For too many Americans the demands of work, family, and fast-paced change have crowded out the obligations and joys of citizenship. This is particularly true when it comes to public service. The Jefferson Scholars Public Service Program (JSPSP) is a pilot program that seeks to broaden, enhance, and encourage the University of Virginia's Jefferson Scholars' individual commitments to participatory citizenship and public service.

The program targets two groups of Jefferson Scholars. The first group will be encouraged to become Public Service Fellows at the Miller Center. These students share a passion for politics, American democracy, international relations, public policy, and the historical understanding of these processes. The Miller Center will serve as their gateway to the broader world of public service. Public Service Fellows will be directed towards internships at the Miller Center and elsewhere to pursue independent research, community service, and political advocacy.

The second group consists of second-year Jefferson Scholars with core interests in other fields of study, but who want to be more effective citizens. Public Service Fellows will lend advice on programming and other activities to bolster Scholars' community involvement. This will be open to other members of the UVa community as well.

For application information, please contact Anne Mulligan.

Katherine Klem with Ignite activists (Malaysia, 2006)

Public Service Felllow, Katherine Klem, recently traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to participate in a tobacco awareness project. Katherine is working with high school students to create activists and raise awareness of health issues caused by smoking. Katherine and her group, Ignite, have traveled to schools throughout Malaysia, speaking to students about political activism and the dangers of tobacco consumption.

Katherine Klem and friend