University of San Francisco Announces the Formation of The Craig Newmark Scholarship for Veterans’ Civic Leadership
SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) June 14, 2018 -- The University of San Francisco (USF) has received a gift of $200,000 from Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, to create scholarships in its new program in public leadership. The Master of Arts in Public Leadership is designed to prepare students to run for elective office as well as for careers in legislative affairs, campaign management, advocacy and civic leadership. The program is focused on military veterans and their families, but it is open to anyone committed to learning the skills needed to serve the public good. The gift by Newmark, a longtime supporter of veterans’ causes, will create The Craig Newmark Scholarship for Veterans’ Civic Leadership. It will allow the program to support veterans and military families above and beyond G.I. Bill funding for students accepted into the program in the 2018-19 academic year, providing full tuition for up to ten student veterans.
“Funding this unique program aligns with my personal commitment to supporting veterans and military families, who sacrifice so much to protect us,” said Newmark, whose donation represents the program’s first major gift. “Through this scholarship, we can help them continue their civic leadership beyond the military, both in and outside of government, where their values and leadership skills are sorely needed.”
The program is the result of a partnership between USF and the Veterans Campaign, a non-partisan organization whose mission is to encourage, mentor and prepare veterans for a "second service" in civic leadership. “The military community is a valuable, yet largely untapped, source of civic and political leaders,” said Seth Lynn, founder of Veterans Campaign and director of the new program. “Craig’s generous gift will provide veterans and military families access to a world-class curriculum that will not only prepare them to succeed as elected officials, but also in a variety of professional settings outside of politics and in their individual commitments to public service.”
“Craig Newmark has been an incredible champion for our generation of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans,” stated Senior Lecturer Hon. Patrick J. Murphy, the first Iraq veteran elected to Congress and former acting Secretary of the Army. “Coming from a military family himself as the son of a World War II veteran, he understands how much our country will benefit from having more veterans assume civic leadership roles.”
The program includes eight online courses and five intensive in-person workshops, as well as a capstone course where students put what they have learned into practice. Students can complete the degree while working full-time, and qualified veterans can receive full tuition reimbursement through a combination of G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program funding. The Newmark Scholarships will provide additional financial aid for those veterans who are not eligible for the G.I. Bill. This is especially crucial for enlisted veterans, many of whom used their G.I. Bill to fund their undergraduate education. Students may enroll in the fall, spring, or summer, and can complete the degree in either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). The university plans to enroll twenty students in the first year of the program.
The priority deadline for Fall 2018 enrollment is July 1. More information can be found at https://www.veteranscampaign.org/usfca-home
Applications are open now.
About the University of San Francisco:
The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco’s first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World From Here.” For more information, visit usfca.edu
About Veterans Campaign:
Veterans Campaign, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the only non-partisan, non-ideological organization whose mission is to encourage, mentor and prepare veterans for a "second service" in civic leadership. It is an educational organization, teaching veterans and transitioning service members about civic and political leadership. Veterans Campaign’s goal is to demystify the process of running for office, and make it accessible to veterans who are interested in continuing their service as elected officials.
About Craig Newmark Philanthropies:
Craig Newmark Philanthropies was created by craigslist founder Craig Newmark to support, connect, and drive powerful civic engagement. The organization works to advance people and grassroots organizations that are getting stuff done in areas that include trustworthy journalism, voter protection, gender diversity in technology, and veterans and military families.
Kellie Samson, University of San Francisco, https://www.usfca.edu/, 415-422-2697, [email protected]
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