Category Archives: Community Service

The politics of listening

  The US House of Representatives was not successful in passing a bill to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act. This is being portrayed as a failure of policy and leadership, with blame leaving virtually no person, party, or organization in Washington unscathed. At the same time, there is a general consensus that partsContinue reading “The politics of listening”

Too Many Walls?

Too Many Walls? The Obligation for University Public Service Programs to Create Discord, Redefine Access, and Facilitate Unsafe Space   Remarks Prepared for the American Society for Public Administration Super Session Panel, “The Role of Public Service in American Universities in the Future,” 21 March 2016 Thomas A. Bryer, PhD We have too many walls inContinue reading “Too Many Walls?”

Crowdresearching: How to Create Civically Healthy Communities

I am launching a new idea, a new concept that marries the practice of community-engaged research with the social and innovation process of crowdsourcing. My research question is this: How do we create more civically healthy communities? This is an initiative driven by my receipt of an inaugural Reach for the Stars research award fromContinue reading “Crowdresearching: How to Create Civically Healthy Communities”

Together for Tomorrow: An Assessment of Partnership Formation

In spring 2013, students in PAD 6825 (Cross-Sector Governance) completed a service learning porject to evaluate the parntership formation in five Together for Tomorrow cities. They conducted telephone interviews with lead agencies in each city, VISTA members, school officials, and community partners to ascertain the processes employed to develop partnerships and utilize AmeriCorps VISTA resources.Continue reading “Together for Tomorrow: An Assessment of Partnership Formation”

Fighting Poverty with a Passion and a University Partner

With pressures to both develop skills necessary for an emerging job market and to develop strong, active, and ethical citizens, higher education institutions are facing a period reform. This article presents a case study of an academic center that strives, as part of its mission, to cultivate civically healthy communities through strategic university-community partnerships. Specifically,Continue reading “Fighting Poverty with a Passion and a University Partner”

Beyond Job Creation and Service Learning: Putting the Public Back in Public Affairs Education

I am happy to share an article that is forthcoming in Journal of Public Affairs Education. This also serves as the foundation for a larger book project. I welcome your thoughts. Download the article here. Below is an excerpt and one of the descriptive figures that form the core of the argument. The aim in thisContinue reading “Beyond Job Creation and Service Learning: Putting the Public Back in Public Affairs Education”

Be a Servant to the People

The United States of America is not a country in which we strive to find bold, creative ways to not help our citizens, to encourage neighbor to help neighbor, or to prevent our citizens from falling into complete social or economic isolation. At least that should be the description of the United States. Our political rhetoricContinue reading “Be a Servant to the People”

When Was the Last Time You Took Your School Bus for a Walk?

The Center for Public and Nonprofit Management at the University of Central Florida signed a contract this week with the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) to manage and evaluate a program called Walking School Bus. This program will work with schools, parents, community volunteers, and elementary school kids within the 9-county DOT district to setup safe walking routesContinue reading “When Was the Last Time You Took Your School Bus for a Walk?”

Using Research to Help Meet Basic Needs: Education and Nutrition

This summer I am working on two grants/contracts that demonstrate how applied research can impact on individual quality of life and strength of community. The first is with the United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties. They are seeking to make strategic investments in child and adult education using their finite resources. As such, partContinue reading “Using Research to Help Meet Basic Needs: Education and Nutrition”