The Spirit of Public Service
(ARA) - "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." This quote by Anne Frank represents our innate willingness to serve the community and to make it stronger. According to a recent Gallup survey, four in ten adults claim to be extremely or very likely to provide time to help people in their communities, especially children. Expressions of likelihood to get involved to help youth are particularly high among college graduates (51 percent).
Even while people are still in college studying to receive a terminal degree, many students are finding time in between classes, dissertations and research to be a part of public service and touch the lives of those in need of some help.
For example, Argosy University/Washington DC, psychology students are putting their education and skills to work by performing practicum work, internships, and other projects within the community. In 2004 alone, Argosy University/Washington DC students have performed an astounding minimum of 160,000 hours of public service.
According to Dr. Cynthia Baum, president of Argosy University/Washington DC: “Argosy University has a long history of contributing to the community. The hours of service provided by our students fill a much needed gap to primarily underserved and low-income groups.”
Explains Dr. Robert Barrett, chairman of Argosy University/Washington DC’s clinical psychology program: “There are over 170 sites to where the school sends its students to do pro bono work and provide much needed services to people who normally couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to receive these services.”
For example, in the summer of 2004, Argosy University teamed up with the American Psychological Association, the District of Columbia Psychological Association, the Family Law Section and the D.C. Bar on a new pro-bono pilot program designed to help low-income parents in child custody disputes. Every year, several thousand custody cases are filed within the D.C. Superior Court system, and in approximately 80 percent of those cases, at least one party does not have an attorney.
According to Dr. Stephen Lally, psychology professor at Argosy University/Washington D.C. and co-coordinator of the child custody program, “What’s nice about this is that the students will be getting both a psychological as well as a legal education as part of this program.”
Kathryn Hughes, an attorney in New Mexico and current doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Argosy University/Washington DC, says, "Working in this practicum has given me a new vision of going back to my native New Mexico and perhaps taking this parenting coordinating model to New Mexico Superior Courts and helping to make a difference in my community. There are so many families that can benefit from this service -- it's a win-win for both the justice system and the community."
This practicum program administered as pro bono was created to help fill a void in services for D.C. area citizens. Argosy University/Washington DC students also spend their time volunteering at other institutions: at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute of Child and Family Therapy, an internationally-recognized facility located in Baltimore dedicated to improving the lives of children and adolescents with pediatric developmental disabilities through patient care, special education, research, and professional training. Students also provide free services at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C., where they provide counseling services to patients with autism, pediatric neurological disorders, HIV and AIDS, and child development problems.
Active public service helps students to develop an interest in positively impacting the community, improve academic performance, and bridge gaps between people of different backgrounds. Students such as those working with Argosy University/Washington DC’s child custody program raise the bar of dedication to the community while juggling difficult classes and research. They embody the spirit of public service, and helping those in need provides students with an extra education not available in the classroom.
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Argosy University/Washington DC is one of 13 Argosy University campuses and six extension sites across the nation offering undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees in the disciplines of business, education, health sciences, and psychology and behavioral sciences. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1.312.263.0456).
The parent company of Argosy University, Education Management Corporation is among the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue. Student enrollment exceeded 58,000 as of fall 2003. EDMC has 67 primary campus locations in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. EDMC's education institutions offer a broad range of academic programs concentrated in the media arts, design, fashion, culinary arts, behavioral sciences, health sciences, education, information technology and business fields, culminating in the award of associate's through doctoral degrees. EDMC has provided career-oriented education for over 40 years.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, contact Mark C. Toth, public relations specialist at (412) 995-7263 or mtoth@edmc.edu.
Article courtesy of ARA Content
