Creating Leaders in Public Service
With a focus on providing public service opportunities for students, the Straayer Center offers access to internship and professional development opportunities. Explore how the Straayer Center can enhance your studies and help you gain experience in many areas of public service.
3 Areas of Activity
The center aims to provide thought leadership on public matters through University and community partners with a focus on three main areas of activity.
Student Experience & Experiential Learning
The Straayer Center connects students to internships, fellowships, and professional development opportunities with local, state, and federal government partners, plus non-profit, international affairs, law, and more. We work closely with multiple campus partners, including ASCSU/SLICE, the Career Center, the Center for Public Deliberation, etc. We offer classroom and internship-based experiential learning opportunities with the Department of Political Science and Master of Public Policy and Administration program. Stop by the Straayer Center to learn more about the CSU in D.C. program, Colorado Legislative Internship, or Straayer Summer Fellows program.
Community Engagement & Thought Leadership
Critical issues exist at the convergence of leadership, policy, politics, environment, and more, and the Straayer Center works closely with campus and community partners to host lectures, panels, workshops, and forums on a variety of topics that connect university teaching and research to community advocacy and leadership. We work with elected officials, CSU alumni, non-partisan administrators, civic and non-profit organizations, and more to craft discussions and support policy development and evaluation from the local to the global level.
Special Projects & Curricular Innovation
The Straayer Center supports various projects and programs at the department, college, and university level: efforts to enhance experiential learning, interdisciplinary research and scholarship teams, and civic engagement efforts on topics of critical public importance. We also understand the importance of collaborative learning networks and actively work with programs and centers at Colorado State University and other regional universities, working in the community engagement, civic leadership, and democracy space.
Public Service Leadership at Our Core
Public Service Leadership has been a core principle of the Straayer Center from the onset, derived from CSU’s role as the state's land-grant institution. In 1960, researchers at CSU developed a pilot program for global service with grassroots impact which President Kennedy later implemented as The Peace Corps.
CSU students have continued this spirit of public service each year, providing critical research and support for our statewide elected officials during legislative session. The Straayer Center carries out this public service leadership principle by offering practical and transformative educational experiences and conducting research that benefits citizens and communities across Colorado.
“One of the things I believe that has always characterized land-grant universities relatively uniquely is the responsibility to engage. And I think the Straayer Center is a great example of a connection point, another weld that connects all the capacity of this University to serve and inform the policy that will serve the citizens of the state.”
– Tony Frank, Colorado State University, and Chancellor of the CSU System
Get Involved
Whether you're an alumnus looking to give back, or an individual with a student opportunity, there are many ways to get involved with the Straayer Center. Volunteer your time or expertise by contacting Program Manager Sam Houghteling.
Make a Gift
The John Straayer Citizenship and Public Service Scholarship Endowment, established by Straayer and his wife, Judy, opens doors to internship experiences, including the Legislative Internship Program, enabling more students to participate without financial burden. Make your gift today to provide access to a dynamic, experiential education for CSU students.
Contact Us
Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership
Colorado State University | Department of Political Science
Morgan Library Room 110E
1782 Campus Delivery | Fort Collins, CO, 80523
Sam Houghteling
- Program Manager Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership
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