A group of students sitting at a table laughing

Mike Huether PSA

Lead with Purpose

The Mike Huether Public Service Academy (Huether PSA) brings together motivated students at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ who want to make a real impact through public service. Inspiring and preparing scholars to serve their communities and country.

Students smiling behind three smiling faculty in sitting in chairs

The Next Generation of Leaders

Through a comprehensive, two-year program that blends academic coursework with hands-on practice, the Huether PSA offers meaningful opportunities for students who want to develop their leadership skills, explore public service and apply what they are learning beyond the classroom. Whether you're interested in government, business, agriculture, engineering, healthcare, education or the nonprofit sector, the Huether PSA prepares students from all majors to lead and serve at the local, state and national levels.

Learn

Build knowledge about leadership, public service and how community institutions work.

Earn a Public Service Certificate

Cocurricular learning

A group of students building a bridge out of loose materials

Lead

Develop practical leadership skills through workshops, projects and cohort experiences.

Annual LeadState retreats

Monthly leadership workshops

A PSA scholar talking with alumni and retired Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether

Serve

Apply what you're learning through service, action teams and public service internships.

Student-led service projects

Public service internship

Students packing food boxes for a service project
Students sitting at a table chatting

Opportunities

  • Build leadership skills with personal support.
  • Serve through student-led community projects.
  • Explore careers and campuses across the country.
  • Join a cohort of motivated peers.
  • Earn a $2,000 scholarship for completing a public service internship.
  • Up to $6,000 in additional funding opportunities.
Want to make an impact?
A group of students pulling weeds in a garden
What do PSA scholars do?
  • Earn a Public Service Certificate.
  • Join a cohort of peers from across campus.
  • Participate in service projects and mission teams that strengthen communities.
  • Network with professionals and community leaders.
  • Build leadership skills through monthly workshops and cohort experiences.
  • Complete a public service internship in the sector of their choice.
  • Travel to leadership and public service conferences across the country.
A group of PSA scholars
Who should apply?

The academy is open to students from all majors who are interested in leadership, service and making a difference. Considering applying if you're:

  • A first- or second-year student.
  • A student with the desire to work with others to address complex challenges.
  • Interested in careers that interact with public, government, industry or community leaders.

Applications are now closed and currently at capacity while selections are being finalized. If spots become available, interested students may inquire about the waitlist.

The PSA Model

Cohort 1 of the Public Service Academy

4

Learning Experiences

Coursework and cocurricular experiences that deepen your understanding of the community.

3

Network Connections

Engagement with professionals, community leaders and peers to build connections and gain.

2

Service Opportunities

Contributions to the community through hands-on service activities that address a clear need.

1

Student-Led Action

Leading an effort in collaboration with community partners that assists in solving important issues.

Two Years. Real Impact.
Earn your public service certificate
  • Credits: three
  • Credits: three
  • or Credits: three
  • Credits: three
  • or Credits: three
  • Credits: three
Learn more about the public service certificate.
Build leadership skills

LeadState is a semester-long program for students. The program helps students identify and build on their leadership strengths, set leadership goals, connect with campus and community leaders and engage in service. Over 1,000 students have completed the program since its inaugural year in 2009.

Learn more about LeadState.
Real-world experience

Every PSA scholar completes an internship that connects them directly with the work of public and community organizations. Through this experience, students build professional skills, expand their networks, and discover how they can lead and serve in their future careers.

All PSA scholars receive a $2,000 internship stipend during their internship semester to support their time, with an additional $3,000 opportunities available through our national partners.

Join the NextGen Service Network
A map of the United States overlaid with the colleges that are part of the Next Generation Service Network
A National Network of Undergraduate Students

The Next Generation Service Corps (NextGen Service) is a network of programs at universities across the country that inspire and prepare students to serve their communities and nation. Led by schools of public service, NextGen Service programs introduce undergraduates from all majors to public service values and support them in building practical, collaborative leadership skills.
Opening the door to careers in public service.