Every Day Counts!

Thursday, February 25th is Day of the Dons, USF’s day of giving, a day for all Dons, like you, to come together to make a difference in the lives of USF students. Learn how your support specifically impacts the future of the Center’s students through the eyes of recent alum Katherine Pantangco (‘16) Sociology and USF in D.C. Fellow. Read her blog  and then make a plan to support the next generation of ethical leaders.

My name is Katherine Pantangco and I participated in the Leo T. McCarthy Center’s USF in Washington, D.C. during my senior year. The semester was one of the most transformative experiences I had that launched my professional career. As a USF in DC student, I interned at the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. On my first day, I glanced across my supervisor’s desk to see a post-it note that read, “Every day counts!” Realizing how precious of a commodity time is in the White House, I approached my internship with a framework of intentionality that I developed and came to appreciate as a University of San Francisco student.

Since graduation, I’ve worked with the ACLU of Northern California as a Program Coordinator and Vice President Kamala Harris’ former U.S. Senate office as Deputy Director of Immigration. The Leo T. McCarthy Center afforded me the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the federal government working on immigrant affairs, as well as the opportunity to study relevant coursework like a service learning class focused on public policy and advocacy.

Beyond this, the Leo T. McCarthy Center supported my internship with a scholarship allowing me to focus on my studies during my unpaid internship. As a USF student, I worked two part-time jobs to get me through school. If it were not for the scholarship, it would have been a financial burden on me to perform exceptionally. That is why I hope you consider supporting future public servants and carry on Leo’s legacy by making a gift to the Leo T. McCarthy Center today.

Warmly,

Katherine Pantangco

B.A. Sociology, May 2016

Read Katherine’s blog on her experience as a USF in DC fellow here.