NextGen Service in Action: Member Schools Convene in Houston

The Next Generation Service Corps (NextGen Service) initiative has been very busy this spring!

In March, Montclair University’s NextGen United program, in collaboration with the Bonner Leader Program, partnered with Habitat for Humanity for a service-learning trip to Phoenix, AZ. While in Arizona, students helped build homes for low-income and disadvantaged families. Students also visited Arizona State University (ASU), where they connected with NextGen Service peers and learned more about ASU’s pioneering NextGen Service program.

Then in April, representatives from NextGen Service schools around the country attended a three-day planning retreat in Houston, Texas, co-hosted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at Houston University, and Texas Southern University. Students and staff worked collaboratively to generate ideas about the best strategies for building the national network, citing in-person events as critical.

Retreat participants also heard from an inspiring guest speaker: Teneshia Hudspeth. Teneshia’s journey through public service began with an internship for Congressman Chet Edwards while she was still a student at Texas Southern University. She currently serves as Harris County Clerk in Houston.