The Public Impact Initiative at the Rockefeller Center
 

Upcoming Deadlines
Civic Skills Training: Applications are being accepted now for March 17-22, 2008 Program
Policy Research Shop: Sign up for PBPL 45 in Fall '07
More information below...

Strengthening the college's efforts to support students interested in civic sector careers and solving problems in our global society was the impetus of creating the Public Impact Initiative at Dartmouth. Faculty, administrators, and students worked together in 2002 in strategic planning sessions and focus groups to build on current programs and develop new ones to meet the goals.

For its part, the Rockefeller Center realigned existing resources to support such student-initiated entrepreneurial efforts as Vote Clamantis in Deserto, a campus wide voter registration drive, and the Dartmouth Law Journal. In addition, the Center raised new funds to help launch three long-term programs that leverage existing college resources, tap the innovation and energy of undergraduates, and provide experiences that will strengthen student commitment to a lifetime of civic engagement. Each is structured to attract students from across disciplines, centers and interests.

  • The Policy Research Shop is an opportunity for students to contribute directly to the public policy debate in Vermont and New Hampshire by providing valuable research to legislators on critical issues facing each state. Overseen by Associate Professor Ron Shaiko and Assistant Professor Scott Carrell, the PRS begins with an intensive research class in the fall term (Public Policy 45) followed by two terms of participation in a fast paced, intensive research team responding directly to research requests from legislators. Students meet directly with elected officials and staff as they develop and refine high quality research products. As a non-partisan center, Rockfeller is committed to providing valuable and timely research to facilitate more informed policy decisions. Sign up now to take Public Policy 45, Introduction to Public Policy Research in Fall 2007.

  • Civic Skills Training provides students with information and skills to enable them to maximize their internship experiences. Students go to Washington, DC - many for the first time - to learn about organizational networks, power structures, resource mobilization, public speaking, and much, much more! This instensive five-day program is cumulative so that by the end students have both concrete skills to help them in their immediate projects at their various internships as well as tools that will be valuable to them well into the future. Trainings are offered three times per year - in September, March, and June - for students pursuing leave-term internships in the civic sector, e.g. a nonprofit organization, an international NGO, a governmental agency, or an elected official. Applications for the Spring 08 Session (March 17-22, 2008) session are being accepted now.

  • Nonprofit Bridge Program at the Tuck School of Business - In collaboration with the Tuck School of Business, the Rockefeller Center has supported the development of a four-week finance and management boot camp for recent college graduates aspiring to leadership roles in nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship. The program builds on the Tuck School's nationally renowned Business Bridge program while providing seminars specifically geared to the nonprofit experience in subjects that include development, brand management, government relationships and measuring impact. Tuck faculty teach the program with participation by The Bridgespan Group, Rockefeller Center staff and nonprofit practitioners. With generous support from the UPS Foundation, participants enjoy substantially subsidized tuition of $3,000 for classes, room, board, and material, with the ability to use AmeriCorps Education Awards to fund the balance. Read more about the Summer 2007 Nonprofit Bridge Program here.

The Rockefeller Center is thankful to the following donors whose support makes these programs possible:

2004-05

  • Surdna Foundation
  • Bay and Paul Foundation
  • Ford Motor Company Fund
  • Zimmerman Family Foundation
  • St. Louis Community Foundation
  • Kendall Foundation
  • New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
2005-06
  • Surdna Foundation
  • Bay and Paul Foundation
  • Institute for Security Technology Studies, Dartmouth College
  • Lintilhac Foundation

2006-07

  • Surdna Foundation
  • Bay and Paul Foundation
  • Lintilhac Foundation