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

Presenting Your Best Self

Rabbi Stephen Pierce was the former chair of the Leo T. McCarthy Center. Beginning in his college days, he didn’t know exactly how to present his best self in a professional setting. In his new book, I Wish I’d Said That: A Guide for Writers, Speakers, and Healers, Pearce provides the tools he learned to the…

Mentoring The Next Generation

Koa Fong ’25 Finance major is dedicated to social justice, Chinese-American activism, and the Jesuit values of USF. She is a member of the USF Rising Youth Mentorship program, which demonstrates how our country’s education needs the help of young people to show the way. During the 2023-2024 year, Koa helped middle school and high…

Meet Our 2024 McCarthy Fellows in Sacramento

Congratulations to our newest cohort of McCarthy Fellows in Sacramento. This summer, nine students from diverse majors and backgrounds will immerse themselves in the policymaking process at California’s state capital. Fellows will gain firsthand experience in how state-level public policy is crafted and develop the skills needed to become change leaders in their communities. Join…

Meet the 2024 USF In DC Fellows

Congratulations to our newest cohort of USF in DC Fellows. This semester, nine students from various majors will be immersed in the policymaking processes in the U.S. capital. Our fellows will get a front row seat to observe and learn how public policy happens at the national level and build the skill set necessary to…

Beyond the Flames: Mental Health Equity in the SFFD

In this insightful journey, Evan Cajigas ’24, Finance, combines academic ambitions with a passion for joining San Francisco’s Fire Department. Assigned to the Behavioral Health Unit, Evan learns and navigates the challenges to address the department’s mental health needs. Through trials and revelations, his story illuminates the complexities of public service and the pursuit of…

Crafting Success: McCarthy Fellowship experience

Step into Giuseppe Cannavó’s 25′, Civil Engineering transformative journey as he unveils the life-altering experience of his McCarthy Fellowship program in the heart of San Francisco. From navigating the intricate corridors of public policy to crafting influential strategies with the Strategic Planning and Performance Team at the San Francisco Department of Public Works, Giuseppe’s story resonates with…

Farewell USF

In this week’s blog, we share a warm farewell to our Communications Assistant, Aisha Williamson-Raun ’23, as she ventures onto her next journey post-grad. After being with the McCarthy Center for 2 years, find out where she will go next and where her passions lie for the future. I spent the last 4 years with…

5 Things You’ll Learn as a CELT Fellow

In this week’s blog, Star Plaxton-Moore, Director of Community-Engaged Learning, shares her wisdom with five main takeaways that a Community-Engaged Learning and Teaching (CELT) Fellow will learn during their program. Find out what key aspects of teaching are necessary in fostering a meaningful, community-engaged learning course across all disciplines. In my 17 years at USF,…