NextGen Leadership Academy at Rutgers SPAA

What is the Next Generation Leadership Academy?

Launched in Fall 2025, the Next Generation Leadership Academy (also known as NextGen Leadership) is a multi-year program for RU-N undergraduate students from all majors to become the next generation of public leaders. A proven approach that is used across the country, students gain the knowledge and skills they will need to tackle society’s biggest challenges in their future career fields.

RU-N’s NextGen Leadership is one of over 28 programs nationwide that form part of the Volcker Alliance’s Next Generation Service Corps, a ground-breaking initiative that draws diverse, talented young people into public service. The NextGen Service Corps benefits students nationwide by opening the door to new career pathways in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and by training students to take a cross-sector collaborative approach to community problem-solving.

Why Should You Join the Academy?

Whether working in the public, private, or non-profit sector, we need public leaders who can work across organizations and disciplines to make lasting, meaningful change.

The NextGen Leadership Academy is for RU-N students who want to:

Engage critically with the most important issues in society;
Make a difference no matter the future career they enter; and
Learn how to lead others in targeted initiatives for community change.

By joining the Academy, you will have the chance to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become part of the next generation of public service leaders who will tackle these issues head-on, including:

Learning from experienced professionals in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors;
Developing a cross-sector collaborative approach to problem solving;
Engaging in hands-on training; and
Working with like-minded students who share an interest in making a positive impact.

A National Network

Students who join the Next Generation Leadership Academy gain access to a national network of 28 Next Generation Service Corps universities across 21 U.S. states. Through this network, you can:

Interact and network with student peers and career mentors across the country
Engage in NextGen regional and national events and programs, including the NextGen Regional Meetup, National Student Exchange, and the Summer Policy Academy in DC
Find paid internship and other professional development opportunities in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors

Signature Programming

Application

The application for the 2026-2027 cohort is now open!

The application window will close on Sunday, September 20th at 11:59 PM.

Requirements

Application Form
Resume/CV
Short Personal Essay

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

NextGen Leadership has been designed to fit around students’ existing academic and extra-curricular commitments, with students earning 10 hours per semester based on the work they are already doing through their participation in student organizations, self-selected on-campus events, volunteer work, and more.

Students will also be expected to attend and participate in four-to-five (4-5) signature NextGen events each year and complete a minor or certificate in Public Leadership by the time they graduate.

Undergraduate students from any RU-N college or major who:

Have at least 2 (two) years remaining at RU-N
Hold a 2.5 GPA*
Demonstrate a strong history and/or interest in public impact and a future leadership career

* While this is our minimum, we also acknowledge that there are a number of reasons why a student may not have a 2.5 GPA. Students who do not meet this requirement but who otherwise demonstrate strong leadership potential are still invited to apply!

There is no such thing as an “ideal” NextGen candidate. We encourage undergraduate students from all majors to apply to the program.

That said, we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates that:

Have demonstrated a commitment to public service through volunteer activities and/or community involvement
Are passionate about igniting social change and implementing solutions for key societal challenges
Are interested in working collaboratively across sectors (i.e., government, the non-profit sector, and private industry) to adopt a multifaceted approach to public policy issues
Are intending to pursue careers in public service (whether in government, the private sector, or the non-profit sector)

The Volcker Alliance’s Next Generation Service Corps is a ground-breaking initiative that draws diverse, talented young people into public service. The Next Generation Service Corps benefits students nationwide, particularly students from underrepresented backgrounds, by opening the door to new career pathways and overcoming long-standing informational and systemic barriers.

One of the benefits of joining the Academy is that members will gain access to NextGen Connect networking platform, which will allow them to build connections with fellow Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC) members and alumni from across the country. This platform will allow members to access and share opportunities that broaden their knowledge and skill set, including jobs, events, and more. NextGen Connect also facilitates mentor-mentee relationships, empowering both NGSC alumni and students to grow and develop as leaders.

Throughout their time in the program, NextGen members will also have the opportunity to take part in cohort retreats and attend national NGSC events, where they will be able to network in-person with fellow NGSC members from across the nation.