Doubling down on democracy

THE NUMBERS ARE STARK: Nearly six in every

10 U.S. adults are not satisfied with the way democracy is working in their country, according to a 2021 survey from Pew Research Center.

The same survey showed that about 85% of Americans said the U.S. political system either needs major changes or should be completely reformed.

As public trust in government plummets and political divisions grow, Metropolitan State University of Denver is pushing back with the launch of an initiative that aims to rebuild confidence in democracy and its institutions.

The University’s Institute for Public Service focuses on inspiring and preparing students for careers in government and the nonprofit sector through cohort-based coursework, MSU DENVER’S high-profile speakers and events, and paid internships. INSTITUTE FOR

Since taking the helm at MSU Denver PUBLIC SERVICE in 2017, President Janine Davidson, PREPARES STUDENTS FOR GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT CAREERS. by John Arnold

Ph.D., has championed the role that the University can play in developing a new generation of public servants. Davidson, a former Air Force officer and pilot who also served as undersecretary of the U.S. Navy, said her career reflects a deep belief in the value of participatory democracy.

“I believe that public service provides the backbone for our democracy,” said Davidson, who serves as chair of the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board and previously served on the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. “But in times like these, I realize we cannot take the strength of our democratic system for granted. We must be active stewards of the processes that make our society work.” The MSU Denver Institute for Public Service was born out of the Hart Center for Public Service, an organization created by former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart. The center partnered with MSU Denver on public-service education and programming but this year determined

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All my expenses were paid, and I also received a salary for the internship. It was too good to be true. I also have aspirations in government but would want to work at a local or state level. I’m very curious about education policy, which is something I’d like to work toward.”

— JACKIE ALDERETE Majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies

LEARN MORE: msudenver.edu/institute-for-public-service

that its mission could be more efficiently and effectively carried out solely by the University.

Administrators overseeing the new institute hope it will open students’ eyes to the wide array of public-sector opportunities and the importance of a career that contributes to the public good.

“We find that many students have a narrow view of what public service is,” said John Masserini, DMA, dean of MSU Denver’s College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. “It’s not just about serving in the military or in government. It’s about working in the nonprofit sector and industries that serve communities. We’re trying to broaden students’ views of public service.”

The National Commission on Military, National and Public Service found that nearly 24 million Americans participate in some form of public service, including government, education, health care and disaster response.

With federal agencies facing a looming wave of retirements, there are “immense opportunities” for MSU Denver graduates to serve, Davidson said.

However, one of the traditional barriers that prevents young people from public service has been lack of access to internships and other learning opportunities.

“Unpaid opportunities lead to only the wealthy and wellconnected gaining critical experience that leads to paying jobs and more prestigious positions, creating a class of public servants who aren’t representative of all Americans,” Davidson said.

This past summer, Davidson’s office launched a Presidential Internship Program, giving six students a paid opportunity to live in Washington, D.C., and work in federal offices. The program is now a part of the Institute for Public Service, which also funds paid student internships on the local and state levels.

“We were given money to cover housing, travel to D.C. and even travel while there,” said James Vargas, a Political Science and History student, who spent the summer working in U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s office and hopes to run for political office someday. “This experience has just made me more excited, given me more confidence and drive to continue on this path.”

In addition to internships, the institute will invite students to be part of cohorts that engage in government affairs curricula, Masserini said, allowing them to earn a micro-credential in addition to their degrees.

But institute offerings won’t be limited to those cohorts. Any student in any major can take advantage of high-profile speakers

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programs that intersect science, engineering, technology and policy to learn more about how I can be an effective proponent of policies that help people. I’m looking forward to learning more about how I can be a leader and technical expert in the energy space to create the solutions so desperately needed to face the climate crisis. Ultimately, I want to help create a better world.”

— EVAN PIERPONT Majoring in Sustainable Systems Engineering

and courses taught by highly accomplished public servants.

“America will continue to grow and prosper only if we challenge the next generation, hold them to high standards of ethics, focus on results and set these young stalwarts up with the tools needed to succeed,” said William Parker III, Ph.D., who served the country for three decades, including as a senior U.S. naval officer and former chief of staff for U.S. Naval Surface Forces. Following his career in the military and State Department, he served as president and CEO of the EastWest Institute, a nonprofit focused on preventing conflicts between nations.

Parker, who teaches an online course at MSU Denver on U.S. military history, said the myriad challenges and conflicts that the world faces today “require the most informed leaders we can offer.”

“So anything I can offer the next generation that will help them be more prepared to face the future with eyes wide open is time well-spent,” he said.

SHURAN HUANG

ELOHIMCHIK/ISTOCKPHOTO AND AMANDA SCHWENGEL PRESIDENTIAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

When I was growing up, I felt like I was always very privileged. I want to give back to my community, my state, my home. I feel like

I can try to reconnect the country, which is so polarized right now.

That said, many more things bind us together, and we need the right person to state these things. Everyone’s views matter. That ability to understand is important, and I think

I can do that and reconnect us.”

— JAMES VARGAS Majoring in Political Science and History

MSU Denver President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., meets with students participating in public service internships in Washington, D.C., on June 6.

BY Cory Phare

PHOTOS BY Amanda Schwengel