Public Service & Civic Engagement (Theme)
Otero is Stanford’s Public Service and Civic Engagement Theme House, a four-class house with 44 first-year residents and 34 upperclass residents who share an interest in public service.
More About Public Service & Civic Engagement
As the Public Service House, residents will have opportunities build community with each other and connect with broader community. Each quarter, we welcome local leaders to share about their work in our lounge, organize optional service events for residents to learn about organizations and issues in the community, and deepen our own understanding about issues like housing, public interest tech, educational equity, public health, and sustainability among others.
Our amazing staff team supports each resident to pursue their interests and make connections on and off campus. The only requirement for the theme is to attend just two events each quarter, from dinners with faculty to guest speakers in the lounge. We pride ourselves on being a caring and welcoming community – we hope you will join us!
Students will have opportunities to form strong relationships with others who share a similar dedication to public service and explore how to create a more just and sustainable world through service.
Leadership Team
- Luke Terra, Associate Director, Haas Center for Public Service and Resident Fellow, Otero Public Service & Civic Engagement Theme House
- Megan Terra, Resident Fellow, Otero Public Service & Civic Engagement Theme House
- Kemi Oyewole, Doctoral Candidate in Education, and Graduate Fellow in the Public Service & Civic Engagement Theme House
- Juliet Brodie, Peter E. Haas Faculty Director, Haas Center for Public Service, Professor of Law and Director of the Community Legal Clinic at the Stanford Law School
Theme Requirements
Students who pre-assign to Otero share an interest in deepening their knowledge of and engagement in public service. We welcome students regardless of previous service experience - whether you are already deeply engaged or just exploring public service, this is a community of students for you. The minimum expectation for all students in the Public Service House is to attend just two events per quarter - from faculty dinners to service events - with additional options available for students looking for a more structured experience.
Living in the house, you will have opportunities to learn with and from other students who value public service and civic engagement. You’ll also get to connect with leaders from the Bay Area and beyond who we invite to the house, as well as faculty and graduate students across campus doing impact-focused research.
The Resident Fellows and Graduate Fellow will provide individual support to help you craft your own public service journey at Stanford and beyond - with support from our colleagues at the Haas Center for Public Service, the hub of public service at Stanford.
Open House Info
Learn more about the Public Service House! RSVP here
- Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Intro to Pathways of Public Service course at Otero Lounge
- Thursday, April 4, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Dinner with the RFs at Otero Cottage
- Friday, April 5, 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Open House at Otero Lounge
- Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast at Wilbur Courtyard
Hyperion
Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Jerry, Kappa Alpha, Narnia, Otero, Rinconada, Soto, Toussaint Louverture, Trancos, and apartments in Mirrielees and Duan.
For more information about Wilbur West residences visit the Residential & Dining Enterprises website.