The UW Tacoma NextGen Civic Leader Corps Program is hosted by the Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement. It is a tri-campus initiative in collaboration with UW Seattle's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and UW Bothell's Office of Connected Partnerships, and part of a national network: Next Generation Service Corps | The Volcker Alliance.
The Program is open to undergraduates from all majors. It includes academic coursework and experiential learning opportunities to build practical, collaborative leadership skills. Students enrolled in this program will join a national community of peers interested in careers in public service. They are supported by expert faculty and staff dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders. NextGen at UW Tacoma strives to ensure that historically underrepresented voices are present, heard, and leading in public spheres.
The Program launched at UW Tacoma in Fall 2022 and rolled out its first cohort in 2023-24. Over 30 students enrolled in its first year with 10 graduates in Spring 2024. UW Tacoma partners currently include the Center for Student Involvement, the Milgard School of Business Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility, and the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
Students completing all requirements will earn the NextGen Leader Corps digital badge. Summary of requirements is below:
Students in the NextGen Civic Leadership Corps will take one 5-credit course from the list below that will provide them with theoretical grounding in government and/or community work:
NextGen Civic Leader Corps students will gain practical experience in community-based and/or government work through internships or community-engaged research by completing an approved 5-credit internship or independent study. Students will work with their major and NextGen advisor to identify a community partner or organization and UWT internship course that aligns with the learning objectives of their major and the NextGen program.
The list of internship courses students can sign up for includes, but is not limited to:
NextGen students are expected to engage in opportunities to network with community members, faculty, and potential employers who share the aspirations of the NextGen program by attending at least three signature cohort events.
Examples are below. Students are encouraged to attend events sponsored or approved by other tri-campus programs in Seattle and Bothell to complete this requirement.
At one of these events, the student should present or otherwise take on a leadership role in its planning or execution.
NextGen Civic Leader Corps Student Officers create their first NextGen Link event of 2024-25 focusing on the UW Tacoma experience in earning a microcredential in civic engagement and public service.
NextGen grew steadily from 11 to 34 students during its inaugural year, attracting enthusiastic students from 12 majors. A dozen graduated this Spring. Next year a Student Organization will strengthen connections across UW campuses and 19 universities in the NextGen network.
The NextGen Civic Leader Corps Program expands to 24 students in just two quarters, with government and non profit partnerships opening up experiential learning in civic engagement.
