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

The Arc of History

McCarthy Award recipient and USF President Emeritus, Reverend Stephen Privett, recently accepted his award, emphasizing in his speech, the continuous responsibilty of effecting justice in society. As I look at all of you, I realize that Leo McCarthy still gathers people together for a worthy cause. The McCarthy family, the staff at the Center, and…

To Convince & Connect

Following last week’s blog on the importance of organization for electoral success, we continue this week with more from Professor Rebecca Gordon, focusing on the three skills needed to make a connection when canvassing in the context of Union worker outreach during the 2018 Midterms in Nevada. Organizing requires skillful conversations that help people to…

Organizing Electoral Success

A reflection on the work – and payoff – of effective organizing in Nevada by Professor Rebecca Gordon Many years ago, a young friend told me she was giving up politics. I asked why and she said “It’s because I’ve realized that all political work involves convincing people to do things they don’t want to…

Honoring Rev. Stephen Privett, S.J.

Reverend Stephen Privett, S.J., the recipient of the second Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service, is recognized as the co-founder and champion of the McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good—USF’s nexus for connecting the University and community for the beneﬁt of both. During his 18 years as President and Chancellor of the…

Building Communities Organically

photo: Community Grows on Instagram Addressing the needs of a community can take many forms, and sometimes when we dig a little below the surface, we get to the roots. This holds true for Community Grows, a non-profit in the Western Addition, whose mission is “to cultivate healthy youth through growing gardens in low-income, diverse…

From the Classroom to Grassroots Organizing

Mónica Bejarano MA ’19, reflects on the impact of her internship as part of her studies as a Graduate student in the Masters in Urban and Public Affairs Program in the Leo T McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good As a USF graduate student in the McCarthy Center’s Urban and Public Affairs…

Welcoming the USF in DC Fellows

The USF in DC program combines a public service internship concurrent with academic coursework. During their time in Washington, D.C., students will have a transformational experience with the opportunity to connect classroom theory with real-world application in the political sphere. In this way, they get a front row seat to how public policy affects people…

Leo T. McCarthy Award – March 14

The Leo T. McCarthy Award is presented to an individual whose work makes a difference in the lives of people most affected by injustice. Like the award’s namesake, winners inspire others to lead, devote their energy to equity and justice and maintain the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional lives. This year’s celebration…