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

2023-2024 Holstein Scholars

Congratulations to our ten Holstein Scholars for the 2023-2024 academic year! Get to know each scholar! We are eager to see how each recipient will continue to commit to scholarship, public service, and public policy-making programs for the common good. Forrest Cameron Forrest Cameron is a rising senior at USF, studying Politics and Philosophy. Most…

Our Goals for 2021

In our first blog of the new year, the Leo T. McCarthy staff shares their thoughts and resolutions for 2021. Check out their goals for the new year and see if you share some or find new ones! Derick Brown Senior Director I wish for a continued healthy and happy life. That said my New…

Now More Than Ever

This week we hear from two people who knew the Center’s founder, Leo T. McCarthy. One is Trish Fontana, a former intern who in turn, managed the Lt. Governor’s interns and has gone on to a long career in state government. The other is Star Plaxton Moore, an early staff member of the Center, now…

We Weren’t Born to Follow

Trish Fontana was a former staffer for Leo T. McCarthy. She has also worked for two California Lt. Governors, two Governors, two First Ladies and two State Senators. She continues to work in the State Capitol, currently for Senator Richard D. Roth, a retired Major Air Force General who represents Riverside. This past weekend, I…

The Legacy Of Art Agnos

The Foghorn‘s editor-in-chief, Ali DeFazio, a McCarthy alumnae who participated in the the USF in DC program, recently interviewed former Mayor Art Agnos, who is the recipient of the inaugural Leo T. McCarthy Center award for Public Service. He is being honored at this week’s McCarthy Center’s 15th anniversary on November 9th. His former colleague,…

Releasing our 2017 Annual Report

Each year the Center strives to honor the legacy of Leo T. McCarthy through programs and scholarship that promote public service and the common good. This includes undergraduate community-engagement learning, faculty and university-wide development, graduate engagement, and community partnerships at both the local and global level. We are excited to share our 2017 annual report…

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…

What is the California Prize?

What is the California Prize? Back in 2008, the University of San Francisco worked with Susan and Philip Marineau to establish an award for an individual or organization in California that models selfless service in pursuit of the common good, especially efforts benefiting the poor and marginalized.