social justice | Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good

Why We Sat During The National Anthem

The graduating class of 2018, made up of Master of Arts in Urban Affairs students and Master of Public Affairs students, recently reflected on a decision they made during their graduation ceremony. Four of the students share their experiences here. Jessica Lindquist, Master of Public Affairs A few days before graduation, my friend Amy mentioned…

Love to the Class of 2018

Crystal Vega, Urban Studies and Critical Diversity Studies ’18, was awarded this year’s Leo T. McCarthy Award. Below is her commencement speech. Dear Class of 2018, I love you. You, the first generation students who paved the road for so many to come. You, the nonbinary and trans students who are constantly pushing the university to…

Join our April Day of Action

Tamara Walker is the Outreach Manager for the Buchanan Mall Initiative at Citizen Film, a non-profit documentary media organization and an Engage San Francisco community partner, based in the Western Addition. On Saturday, April 14th, Citizen Film, Community Grows, the Rosa Parks Senior Center and a team of neighborhood volunteers will be rolling up our…

In D.C.’s Public Defender Service

Vivienne Pismarov, Psychology ’19 This fall semester, through the USF in DC program, I’ve had the opportunity to intern with the Public Defender Service. Everyone working there is tasked with one job and one job only: do everything in your power to support your client. As an investigative intern, I request records, locate potential witnesses,…

On My First Year Of Grad School

Jessica Lindquist, M.A., Public Affairs ’18 Last July I left my cushy job as an executive assistant at a financial technology company in Mid-Market to try something scary and exciting: graduate school. I had been accepted into the Master of Public Affairs program at the University of San Francisco. At my core, I knew it…

USF in D.C. is Unlike Anything Else!

Gabbi McDaniel I left Washington, D.C. more than four months ago. Whenever anybody asks me about my experience, my first response continues to be, “it was the best experience I’ve had at USF.” Then I gush for five more minutes about the opportunities I had, the individuals I met, and the impact this program…

Traveling with the Esther Madriz Diversity Scholars to NYC

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX9Ei8AU0tw&w=560&h=315] Janelle Nunez (’19) is a participant of the Esther Madriz Diversity Scholars cohort that went to New York this January. Here she shares her reflections on this transformative trip. During the University of San Francisco’s winter intercession, the Esther Madriz Diversity Scholars (EMDS) got the incredible opportunity to spend a week in…

Alumnus Sees the Future of the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center

Jerry Trotter Program Director, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center Ayah Mouhktar, our Communications Assistant, interviewed Jerry Trotter at the construction site for the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center. Below is a reflection on her experience meeting Jerry, discussing the new facility and what it will mean for the families and children of San…