Undergraduate students in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs’ Emerging Leaders in Public Service program spent two days in the field, meeting with state policymakers in Jefferson City and then examining how public needs are met locally at the Voluntary Action Center in Columbia.

The trips are part of a two-year program that prepares undergraduates of all majors for careers in government and public service. The need for public servants is pressing, nearly 30% of the federal workforce will be eligible for retirement within five years, fewer than 7% of full-time civil service employees are under age 30, and state and local governments continue to report hundreds of thousands of vacant positions nationwide.

Day one: Jefferson City

Students began at the Missouri State Capitol, where they met with members of the Missouri House of Representatives. They then visited the State Auditor’s Office and the Department of Social Services, followed by the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Children’s Trust Fund at the Truman Building. The stops gave students a view of how legislative oversight, public accountability, health, social services, and child welfare programs operate across state government. The day ended with a networking reception with Mizzou alumni, where students talked with graduates about their career paths in public service.

Day two: Columbia

The next day, the cohort stayed closer to home to see how policy goals translate into services on the ground. Students visited the Voluntary Action Center (VAC), a Columbia nonprofit that responds to the basic needs of Boone County residents. VAC operates the Waypoint Shelter, which offers housing-first emergency shelter without barriers, along with case management and pathways to permanent housing, and the Cindy Mustard Resource Center, which provides immediate help with food, prescriptions, identification documents, employment supplies, and other essentials. Students toured the new homeless center and learned how local organizations, public agencies, and community volunteers work together to move people toward stability.

Pairing the two days gave students a look at public service at more than one level of government, and at the point where it meets the people it serves. That kind of applied learning is central to the Emerging Leaders model, which also includes four required courses, leadership development, career development, and an internship. Each cohort includes 25 students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. As part of the Volcker Alliance NextGen Service Network, participants also have access to cross-campus opportunities, the Paul A. Volcker Internship Award, a Summer Policy Academy, and a student and alumni LinkedIn network.

By connecting classroom learning with direct access to those who shape and deliver public services, the program aims to prepare leaders who understand community needs and are committed to strengthening civic engagement and public trust.