Public Service Scholar Program

Public Service Scholar Program Logo

The Public Service Scholar Program (PSSP) is a program at Hunter College at the CUNY which "seeks to improve our cities and the lives of people by preparing talented undergraduates for careers in the public and non-profit sectors" and "to raise the representation of women, minority-group members and new immigrants in leadership positions."

The Public Service Scholar Program at Hunter College at the CUNY was initiated in 1982 by Donna E. Shalala.

Background

From the Hunter College website:

Our Mission

The Public Service Scholar Program (PSSP) seeks to improve our cities and the lives of people by preparing talented undergraduates for careers in the public and non-profit sectors. The program seeks to raise the representation of women, minority-group members and new immigrants in leadership positions.

Program Overview

PSSP is a one-year internship and academic program, providing up to 20 students per year with 12 credits and a merit-based fellowship to assist with tuition and basic expenses. The program is open to Hunter College juniors and seniors in any academic major.

Public Service Scholars (PSS) work 20 hours per week from September to May in non-profit and government agencies and elected official’s offices. During their placement, they contribute to solutions for a broad range of critical issues, including homelessness, supportive housing, workforce development, community and economic development, industry retention, hunger and poverty, early childhood education, environmental conservation, youth services, and women's issues.

PSSP's environmental section places students in substantive internships at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

History

PSSP was started in 1982 by Dr. Donna E. Shalala, former President of Hunter College, who recognized a need to expand and diversify the city’s public service workforce. Dr. Shalala proposed to meet that need by recruiting into public service talented undergraduates who would benefit from a career advancement program.

Since 1982, PSS have become familiar figures among the professionals who develop strategies to manage New York City’s most pressing problems. Over 700 scholars have contributed more than 500,000 hours of outstanding service to communities throughout New York City.

The program has been run since 1986 by Dr. Elaine M. Walsh, Associate Professor of Urban Affairs and Planning.

Liz Brown Connection

Liz Brown of ASO Communications was a Public Service Scholar Program recipient.

References

Kelly Amerson Lopez (1982-83) This student did her internship in the Office of the City Council President. She conducted research on tax incentives, analyzed the budget of the Transit Authority, and compiled materials on leadership and management for the council president. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Baruch College and is currently the Director of Professional Staffing and Career Development for the New York State Division of the Budget.

Christopher Bell (1987-88) Chris's internship in the office of Assemblyman Pete Grannis gave him the opportunity to work with local community groups toward the resolution of problems involving real estate development and transportation issues. Having learned a great deal about advocacy, Chris decided to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree at New York University. Upon completing the degree, he worked as analyst for the Department of Parks and Recreation, and he is currently employed as a Program Officer with the Pinkerton Foundation.

Yessica Diaz (1996-97) Interned at Citizens Committee for Children (CCC) where she was responsible for organizing lobby day for board members, volunteers and advocates. Yessica did a study on the needs of the children in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The study was conducted through the Community Leadership Course given by CCC. The course is given each year, and allows citizens of the city to gain knowledge and first hand experience through site visits, of the systems and institutions designed to serve children in NYC. Immediately after graduation she received the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Fellowship which provided and opportunity for her to intern in Congress in the office of the Guam representative. There she worked on the tobacco settlement and was instrumental in assuming that minorities were well represented. Subsequently, she attended the University of Michigan where she received her Masters in Social Work degree. During her time in Michigan she worked as a social work representative at the Turner Geriatric Clinic at the University of Michigan (U-M) Hospital. She also held the position of Graduate Program Coordinator for the Summer Research Opportunity (SROP) and Summer Institute (SI) at the University of Michigan's Horace H. Rackman School of Graduate Studies. Yessica has recently completed her Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She has returned to New York and is employed at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in the Division of Community Health as Project Coordinator. The focus of her work is based at the Policy Center where legislation is being assessed on Medicaid reform, patient's rights, community health and pediatric dental care and its accessibility to the community.

Brodie Hefner (1991-92) Brodie worked with the New York Public Interest Research Group on the Council Watch Government Reform Campaign. He helped organize a voter registration campaign; assisted in the production of the Council Watch newsletter; organized support for the city council rules reform campaign; and co-authored a major report on city council activities. He received a Masters in planning and community development from Pratt Institute. He received a HUD Renaissance Fellowship and spent a year in Missouri as Director of Planning and Development at the St. Louis Housing Authority, working on public housing. Currently he works for HUD in New York City.

Anne Lacascia Adair (1989-90) Anne became involved in a number of environmental issues during her internship in the Office of Council Member Sheldon Leffler, finally focusing on water conservation. She attended a Coastal Management Conference sponsored by the New York State Department of State, and produced a report on water conservation. Anne was awarded the Blanche Blank Research Internship by the Division of Social Services for the summer of 1990. The internship led to a job as a Legislative Policy Analyst with the New York City Council's Human Services Division. Anne received her Master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia University. She is currently Senior Project Manager at the New York Industrial Retention Network.

Kathryn Leak (1989-90) Kathryn Interned at AED, where she did research on adolescent issues and program effectiveness. She received her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work and is currently at Teachers College where she is completing her dissertation on an anthropological study of a black church and their role in education. She is a Research Consultant to a number of national and local organizations. She has taught at Columbia and currently teaches in the Department of Urban Affairs at Hunter College. Currently working as a Research Consultant for the Academy for Educational Development.

Allyson Spellacy (1997-98) As an intern at the NYC Board of Education Public Art for Public Schools Program (PAPS), Allyson laid the foundation for a large project distributing a corporate donation of artwork to New York City Schools. She cataloged the pieces of art and then made slides and displayed them for an "auction" in which schools bid on different pieces. She then oversaw the delivery and installation of the pieces. After graduation, PAPS hired Allyson as a Project Manager, to coordinate donations and work on integrating art into school's curriculum. She iscurrently working for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the PSSP Alumni Chapter of the Hunter College Alumni Association contact

Anne M. Adair