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Public Service & Civic Engagement (Theme)

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Otero is Stanford’s Public Service and Civic Engagement Theme House. 34 residents are first-year students who are interested in learning about and engaging in public service, and 45 residents are upperclass students with a demonstrated interest in public service and civic engagement. 

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View the Otero House Page

More About Public Service & Civic Engagement

As the PSCE Theme House, residents will have opportunities to learn about various approaches to public service, engage in service activities on and off campus, consider how service can be integrated with their academic work, and connect with other students, faculty, and community organizations who are committed to social change efforts.

Residents also have an opportunity to make a Cardinal Commitment - a year-long commitment to a public service program or organization. Students receive individual support and guidance from undergraduate student leaders, a graduate fellow, and Resident Fellows as they craft their public service journey at Stanford and beyond - as well as support from our colleagues at the Haas Center for Public Service, the hub of public service at Stanford. 

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. 

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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
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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.

Pre-Assignment

Open House Info

Learn more about the Public Service House! RSVP here

 

  • April 3 (6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.) - Intro to Pathways of Public Service course, Otero Lounge
  • April 4 (6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m.) - Dinner with the RFs, Otero Cottage
  • April 5 (12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m.) - Open House, Otero Lounge
  • April 6 (10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) - 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast, Wilbur Courtyard
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Otero is located in...

Hyperion

Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Jerry, Kappa Alpha, Narnia, Otero, Rinconada, Soto, Toussaint Louverture, Trancos, and apartments in Mirrielees and Duan.

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For more information about Wilbur West residences visit the Residential & Dining Enterprises website.