Do We Need an Academy Like West Point, but for Civil Service?

Arizona State University (ASU) will launch a Public Service Academy, an undergraduate program that will integrate cross-sector and civilian-military experiences to develop future leaders, this fall. In an interview with me, Jonathan Koppell, the dean of the ASU College of Public Service and Community Solutions, talked about the new academy, the types of training it will provide and some of the barriers that currently exist regarding entry into federal service.

The interview was edited for length and clarity.

Q. What was the impetus for creating a public service academy?

A. There has been an idea for a long time that we ought to have a public service academy akin to West Point that trains people for civilian public service. There are a wide range of professions that involve public service. We don't have a prepared pipeline of individuals who see service as part of their lives and who are acquiring skills at a young age.

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This post was originally featured on the Washington Post's website.