Seeing the Leo T. McCarthy Award’s Impact

Our 2024 McCarthy Award for Public Service celebration honoring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in November was an evening filled with the center’s friends, donors, stakeholders, and students!  Fifteen McCarthy Center students who served as ambassadors, helped our guests to see the success that they support. Hear from some of our students as they reflect on their take-aways from that night.

“The highlight of the night had to be hearing Speaker Pelosi’s speech. She was extremely humble and shared lots of fond memories of her and Leo T. McCarthy. It was great to learn more about Mr. McCarthy as a person and public servant. Hearing her recount the early stages of her career was not only entertaining but inspiring. She really deepened my understanding of the center and emphasized the transformative impact we aim to achieve.”

Sophia Troiani ’25 Psychology and Public Service Community Engagement Minor

 

 

“The most impactful part of the Leo T. McCarthy Award Ceremony was being in community with others who share my commitment to public service and community engagement. I connected with community partners from my Engage SF Literacy site, Magic Zone, as well as political figures and new acquaintances, all working toward a more equitable society.”

Isabella Bracamonte ’25 International Business

 

“I learned that the McCarthy Center is more than just one of our schools’ many “opportunities” for students. Although the McCarthy Center provides a way for students to give back to the surrounding communities. Part of its mission is to act as a path for those Interested in changing the world one step at a time.”

Jovanni Gonzalez ’24 Computer Science with Fine Arts Minor

 

 

 

 

“What impacted me was meeting so many people who came out to support the McCarthy Center and care about our programs. There were people of all sorts of different backgrounds, and it was great discovering how the values and mission of USF reach so many people.”

Viet-Hung Nguyen ’25 Psychology

 

 

 

“The most impactful part of my evening was engaging in meaningful conversations with the staff and students, allowing me to deepen my understanding of others’ perspectives and be comfortable in my space. Connecting with others in a genuine way leaves me inspired. It also reminds me of the values that the McCarthy Center follows, such as community values and working for the common good.”

Katira White ’26

“The most impactful experience during the night of the gala was witnessing not only my own growth, but also that of the students coming together to support the center as a collective. Seeing the students interact with the guests throughout the night made me feel proud of all the hard work they contributed to their programs within the McCarthy Center and of their commitment to their work that night. The McCarthy Center has done so much for us as students. It was nice to be able to help in any possible way we were able to.”

Fernanda Santillan-Sandoval ’25 Philosophy and

Legal Studies Minor

 

“Attending the event solidified my understanding of the McCarthy Center’s ongoing mission to prepare students for public service across various fields, with a strong focus on uplifting marginalized communities. I witnessed a sense of community through engaging with individuals who are creating opportunities for students like myself through mentorship and resources.”

Yaratza Lievanos ’27 Psychology

“The most meaningful impactful experience of my evening during this event was talking with familiar and new students apart from the McCarthy Center. Within discussion of each other, I was able to see the passion many of these students had for their programs they were a part of, and why funding would be beneficial for these programs. It was very interesting to see the process of the event and meet those who donate to the amazing programs the McCarthy Center offers for students.”

Nicole Wilmot ’25 International Studies and Spanish; Latin American Studies Minor