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

Learning to Lead: From The Fillmore to City Hall

Nicole Wilmot ’25 is currently a McCarthy Fellow of San Francisco interning at the Department of the Environment. She began her CEL journey as a freshman at Rosa Parks Elementary School as an Engage Literacy intern. Read on to learn how Nicole’s experience is giving her leadership skills from each setting. My name is Nicole…

Changing My Worldview Through the SFFD

Jaeda Johnson ’26 is a Psychology major with a minor in Criminal Justice Studies at USF. As a McCarthy Fellow in San Francisco interning at the SFFD’s Behavioral Health Unit, she has observed first-hand in San Francisco that while helping our communities, we must not forget to take care of ourselves. Read on to learn…

See You in City Hall, McCarthy Fellows!

We are pleased to introduce 18 students who will participate in our McCarthy Fellows in San Francisco program in the Fall semester. Meet each fellow and learn where they will intern in City Hall or in nearby city offices and departments. In preparation, over this past summer, they participated in monthly training workshops in public…

Welcome to our 2024 CPCE Fellows

Congratulations to our newest Community Partner Co-Educator Fellows (CPCE)! We applaud the dedicated work of nonprofit staff, service providers, public servants, activists, artists, and local change agents who have joined this collaborative learning community. The CPCE Fellowship is committed to fostering equitable relationships between USF and our community partners, prioritizing the integration of community wisdom…

Reaching Voters through Community: My Work with SF Elections and USFVotes

Read along on a journey of civic empowerment with Hannah Nelson as she intertwines her experiences with USFVotes and the San Francisco Department of Elections. In her blog post, Hannah shares the transformative power of community engagement, breaking down stereotypes of formal government work, and highlighting her role in making elections more accessible. Join her…

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…

My Journey in San Francisco’s India Basin

In this week’s blog, Jade Carter ’24 Environmental Studies, embarks on a mission to bridge gaps between local government and grassroots advocacy in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Through hands-on involvement , they confronted deep-seated community mistrust and explored avenues for equitable development. Ultimately, their narrative showcases the power of collaboration, highlighting the author’s newfound…

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…