Public Service Scholars Program
The Public Service Scholars Program (PSSP) was established in 1994 as a program for students wishing to connect public service with their academic work and research interests through an honors thesis. Students admitted to the program participate in PSSP during their senior year concurrently with the honors program in their major academic department or program. The year-long program is committed to supporting students in writing a thesis that meets both high standards of academic rigor and also to make the results of the thesis useful to a specific community or organization, or available for the public interest. Students from all majors are encouraged to consider this opportunity.
Key Elements and Themes of the Program
Community of Scholars. PSSP students and staff form an interdisciplinary community of scholarswho provide support and diverse perspectives while sharing the pursuit of outstanding academic research as a form of public service. Recent classes have included students writing theses in
- Political Science
- Anthropological Sciences
- Human Biology
- Education
- International Relations
- Ethics in Society
- Urban Studies
- Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
The PSSP complements the requirements of students’ honors programs and the efforts of faculty advisors during the thesis-writing process. Early in the fall quarter, an overnight retreat provides the foundational community-building experience for the group.
Academic Excellence. PSSP offers the support, structure, and accountability necessary for the successful completion of participants’ theses. All program participants are required to enroll in Urban Studies 198: Senior Research in Public Service during the Autumn (3 units), Winter (3 units), and Spring (1 unit) Quarters of their senior year. PSSP staff and students co-facilitate the weekly seminar, which is designed to explore the theory and practice of research as a form of service and to provide students with opportunities to share their writing in small groups, solve problems collaboratively, and critique thesis plans, conceptual frameworks and methodologies.
Mentorship. By request, students are matched with a Stanford staff, faculty or community member who serves as a mentor. The mentor relationship is highly individual, but mentors typically provide advice and support to foster the public service dimension of the thesis research, and to pursue larger questions of how this work relates to students’ life and career goals. For many Public Service Scholars this relationship is a highlight of the program.
Public Service Plan. During the course of the year, each student develops a public service plan by identifying audiences who might be interested in or benefit from their thesis research. Through this process, participants are challenged to make the link between scholarly research and the public good. Knowing their research will do more than “sit on the shelf” is a powerful motivation during the thesis-writing process.
Thesis Presentations. In May, each student makes an individual presentation of his/her thesis and the public service implications/application and importance of the work as part of the mini-conference “Research With a Public Purpose.” This presentation provides an opportunity to celebrate the results of their year-long work.
Requirements of the Program
- Department/program approval for participation
- Weekly attendance at seminar and fulfillment of outside assignments (e.g., readings, reflections),
- Full attendance and participation in fall retreat
- Commitment to the Public Service Scholars community to participate fully and provide support and feedback to others in the group,
- Work with faculty thesis advisor to ensure thesis meets all requirements of academic department or program,
- Develop a public service plan to make connections between thesis research and community/constituency needs and/or the public good, and
- Presentation of thesis work and the public service implications/applications in a public forum at the end of the year
* While not required, participation in the relevant Honors College program is strongly suggested. Students whose departments do not offer an Honors College program may be able to participate in the one offered through the Program in Urban Studies.
For Further Information
- For further information, please contact Viginia Visconti
- For more information on the background of PSSP, including samples of past scholars’ thesis topics, visit the Research section of the Haas Center website.