The Ford School has been chosen as one of 12 distinguished public policy schools to participate in “Service to Service,” a national initiative that connects veterans and military families with education opportunities in public service. Spearheaded by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans, this initiative aims to recruit military-connected students into graduate programs that provide essential career development support and a pathway to roles in state and local government.
Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes emphasized the significance of military-connected students, highlighting the invaluable experiences and leadership qualities that they bring to both the classroom and public service roles. “Our namesake, President Gerald Ford, was a Navy veteran who exemplified a lifetime commitment to principled public service,” she remarked.”We are thrilled to collaborate with the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans to cultivate a more diverse and dynamic cohort of future leaders in local government, thereby enriching our school and the broader public sector."
The Ford School expects this initiative will attract more students like Rick Scott (MPA ‘12), who transitioned from a notable military career to local government, now serving as the Assistant Director of Transportation for the City of San Jose, California. Inspired to serve shortly after the events of 9/11, Scott began his military journey as a surface warfare officer, eventually advancing to engineering officer, navigator, and instructor roles before pursuing his master’s degree.
“The Ford School gave me the analytical tools to make educated, evidence-based decisions, not just jump into things. That, combined with my real-life leadership experiences in the military, set me up for a successful career in local government.“ He continues to serve in the reserves as a science and technology officer with the Office of Naval Research.
By connecting veterans and military families to public service opportunities, the program aims to leverage widespread public trust of the veteran community. According to the Volcker Alliance, about 70% of Americans trust veterans to “do what’s right” for the nation, underscoring their unique potential to influence and lead in civic roles.
“Trust in government is at an all-time low, and state and local governments are struggling to recruit talent with the skills needed for effective service delivery,” said Sara Mogulescu, president of the Volcker Alliance. “The veteran community is a diverse, highly trusted, and service-oriented group of leaders that, with more intentional engagement, is uniquely positioned to fill leadership positions in state and local government.”
“As Service to Service Fellows, veterans and military families will embark on postgraduate studies that build on their leadership skills, tap into their patriotism, and position them to bring that trust to influential civic roles,” said Ellen Gustafson, co-founder and executive director of We the Veterans.
Learn more about the Ford School’s Service to Service program.