NextGen Leadership Academy at Rutgers SPAA

What is the NextGen Leadership Academy?

A brand new program launched in Fall 2025, the NextGen Leadership Academy is an innovative program offered by the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) that aims to inspire RU-N undergraduate students from all majors to explore public service careers and equip the next generation of civic leaders with the skills they need to make an impact in their communities and beyond.

RU-N’s NextGen Leadership Academy is one of over 20 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 and overcoming long-standing informational and systemic barriers.

Why Should You Join the Academy?

As the world becomes more complex and the challenges we face increasingly difficult to solve, now more than ever, we need talented civic leaders who are passionate about public service.

The NextGen Leadership Academy is for RU-N students who want to engage critically with the most important issues in society, those who are eager to make a difference, and those who want to lead by example.

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. You will learn from experienced public service professionals, develop a cross-sector collaborative approach to problem solving, engage in hands-on training sessions, and work together with like-minded individuals who share an interest in making a positive impact on society.

So, if you’re passionate about making a difference in the world and want to be part of the solution, apply to join the NextGen Leadership Academy today!

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 will open August 31, 2026!

Requirements

Resume/CV
Most recent transcript
Personal statement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The NextGen Leadership Academy programming has been designed to fit around students’ existing academic and extra-curricular commitments. Students will be expected to attend and participate in monthly events (these will include leadership seminars, workshops, and career sessions), as well as an annual cohort retreat. Other NextGen events, including field trips, may also be arranged from time to time.

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.