Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA

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Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA

• An Examination of Self, Cohort, and Community

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The MPA at UGA

• "The central purpose of the MPA program at the
  University of Georgia (UGA) is to educate
  students for professional careers in public
  service including management and policy analysis
  in government and nonprofit organizations."
• MPA Program Guide

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Goals of the MPA Socialization Seminar

• To provide a basic orientation to the MPA
  program.
• To build group or cohort cohesiveness through
  shared experiences.
• To begin the process of building and/or
  reinforcing a culture of public service.

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Self, Cohort Community
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Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA

• Understanding of self.
• "Getting in touch with your true self must be
  your first priority" Tom Hopkins

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Understanding of Self

• Descriptions of
• Who you are
• Where you come from
• What have your life experiences been
• What are your values

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Understanding of Self

• Based upon your descriptions
• What are the advantages of being who you are in
  regards to your professional aspirations as an
  administrator within the service sector?
• What are the disadvantages of being who you are
  in regards to your professional aspirations as an
  administrator within the service sector?

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Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA

• Understanding of self.
• Understanding of your cohort.
• "So long as we know only ourselves, we know
  nothing" Woodrow Wilson
• To truly understand self also requires you to
  understand others

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Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA

• Understanding of self.
• Understanding of your cohort.
• Understanding of your extended community.
• Self knowledge comes from knowing other men.

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Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA

• Applying a Pedagogical Tool to Bridge the Gap

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Public Service and the MPA Program at UGA
But what is public service?
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What is Service-Learning?

• According to Eyler and Giles (1999)
• Service-learning is a form of experiential
  education where learning occurs through a cycle
  of action and reflection as students work with
  others through a process of applying what they
  are learning to community problems and, at the
  same time, reflecting upon their experience as
  they seek to achieve real objectives for the
  community and deeper understanding and skills for
  themselves.

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An Evolution Towards Service-Learning
Recipient Service
Beneficiary Focus
Provider Learning
Service-Learning
Community Service
Field Education
Internship
Volunteerism
Adapted from Andrew Furco, Service-Learning A
balanced approach to experiential education.
Expanding Boundaries Service-Learning, 1996.
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Service-Learning
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Why service-learning and how does it fit with the
socialization experience?

• Built upon Kolbs Model of Learning
• Concrete experience (Action)
• Reflective observation (What?)
• Abstract conceptualization (So what?)
• Active experimentation (Now what?)
• Concrete experience (Action)
• Implications for
• Personal and Professional Growth and Development
• Public Policy

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Personal Learning Journal

• Pre-Service-Learning Site Questions
• What do you expect to see and/or experience at
  your service-learning site?
• How do you think it will benefit your
  understanding of self, your cohort, and the
  extended community of Athens-Clarke County?
• Post Service-Learning Site Questions
• What did you learn at your service-learning site
  that may be related to public policy (policy
  impact) and your career aspirations (professional
  impact)?
• Did you experience any revelations or Ah-Ha!
  moments?
• Did this experience raise any questions in your
  mind that relate to the core concept of this
  program public service?

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Conclusion

• Socrates
• "An unexamined life is not worth living."
• Socrates
• "True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
  how little we understand about life, ourselves,
  and the world around us."
• Socrates

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• Questions?