A Life Dedicated to Public Service
In early 1970s there was a deep need in Oregon to seek out bold new solutions across its many realms of public service and to deliver those solutions into the hands of the busy mid-career professionals throughout the region who needed it most. To meet those needs, programs were created at both Portland State University and Lewis and Clark College. Following years of collaboration, in 1996 the two centers merged to become what is today the PSU Hatfield School of Government’s Center for Public Service. Now hosting an entire fleet of programs, it continues to empower people from a diverse array of industries with new ways of creating robust, human centered solutions in Oregon and beyond.
The Center believes that public service is a legitimate, proud and essential calling and that innovative leaders and institutions are needed to:
- Competently execute the programs under their jurisdiction
- Serve as catalysts for constructive change and innovation
- Protect and promote justice and democracy
- Balance liberty and equity
Core Values
The legacy of Senator Mark O. Hatfield informs and inspires the Center's core values.
- Community & Public Service: Serving the public is a special calling, inspired and nurtured by core values, and which relies on the constant building of skills and knowledge to promote the public interest.
- International Cooperation & Respect for Diversity: The Center is committed to preparing public servants with the capacity to lead in an increasingly diverse and power-shared world, both domestically and internationally.
- Fairness, Equity & Social Justice: Building the trust and confidence of citizens requires public servants who are committed to develop policies and build organizations that are effective, fair and equitable.
- Civic Engagement: An engaged citizenry and community enhances the quality and legitimacy of public services, fostering accountability and promoting democratic governance.
- Sustainable Development: Public leaders have a moral obligation to provide stewardship of the community's scarce resources to meet the needs of future generations.
Vision and Mission
The Center for Public Service synthesizes the Hatfield School of Government's teaching, research and service-related activities and applies this practical knowledge to build leadership and improve the effectiveness of public service professionals and organizations.