Phoenix, AZ

Thursday, January 14, 2010

PHOENIX – Debra Friedman, ASU Dean of the College of Public Programs, recently discussed the importance of addressing the nation's growing crisis of workforce shortages in the public and nonprofit sectors on the nationally syndicated radio show "Dresser After Dark."

The WJOB 1230 AM host Michael Dresser conducted an in-depth conversation with Friedman about the significance of attracting talented students to prepare for public service careers. They also discussed ways the College is addressing this issue, including the Spirit of Service Scholars initiative.

"We need strong, smart and ethical public service leaders going forward, and it's going to take concerted effort now so that we don't all pay the consequences of having a public service sector and a nonprofit sector without sufficiently prepared individuals," said Friedman, who also is University Vice President ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus.

The program covers educational and informative solutions to its millions of listeners every weeknight.

The Spirit of Service Scholars program will honor 30 outstanding graduate and undergraduate students each year who will commit their future careers to federal, state and local government and nonprofit organizations in service of solving society's most challenging problems. It will award prestigious scholarships to outstanding students, and provide them with an extraordinary academic and real-world education, a life-long interdisciplinary network, and committed, effective mentors.

The Spirit of Service initiative will be anchored at the College of Public Programs at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus. For information, visit http://spiritofservicescholars.asu.edu

Corey Schubert

Manager of Media Communications

ASU College of Public Programs

Phoenix, AZ

602.496.0406

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