Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

University of Nebraska Omaha logo
College of Public Affairs and Community Service
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • About Us
    • Mission and Vision
    • Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
    • The CPACS Collective
    • Dean's Advisory Board
    • Staff Directory
    • Faculty and Staff Resources
    • Our Excellence
    • Directions and Parking
    • CPACS Celebrates 50 Years
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Our Programs
    • Academic Advising
    • Goodrich Scholarship Program
    • CPACS Undergraduate Student Grade Appeal Policy
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Honors Program
  • Student Involvement
  • Community Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Community Engagement
    • Public Service Stories
    • CPACS Alumni Awards
    • Professional Development
    • Service Learning in CPACS
    • Labor Studies Institute
    • Office of Engagement
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Inquiry Awards
    • Research
    • Center for Public Affairs Research
    • Juvenile Justice Institute
    • Nebraska Center for Justice Research
    • Nebraska Space Grant
    • Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs
  • Support

Public Service Stories

  1. UNO
  2. College of Public Affairs and Community Service
  3. Community Engagement
  4. Public Service Stories

  • Related Resources

  • American Society for Public Administration
  • Virtual Museum of Public Service
  • National Academy of Public Administration
  • National Certified Public Manager® Consortium
  • International Institute of Municipal Clerks
  • International City/County Management Association
  • Government Finance Officers Association
  • Partnership for Public Service

Ask Me Why I Care

The purpose of this project is to show today’s youth that government offers huge, rewarding opportunities to tackle the most daunting issues in our society and make a difference in people’s lives.

In today’s virulently anti-government environment, young people who want to make a difference in the world are turning their backs on government as a career option and choosing non-profit organizations or even the private sector instead.

To that end, we have collected the stories of 23 people in public service. These are committed, successful, even heroic public servants who care deeply about the impact they have on the lives, hopes and dreams of citizens. We are making the videos of these stories available to middle school, high school, college/university faculty, students, and guidance counselors. We want to show students and others looking for a meaningful career that public service is not only worth their consideration, but may be the best way for them to make a real difference in our world.

Ask Me WHY I Care: Public Service Stories was premiered at the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) in March 2014 in Washington, DC. With the sponsorship of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), the following were presented at the ASPA celebration:

  • An original story, Ode to Public Service, written and performed by Rita Paskowitz, Professional Storyteller and Co-Director of this project.
  • Four videos of quotes from interviews by the UNO Project Team, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), and the Texas City Management Association. Each video focuses on a specific theme: Public Service; Healthcare; Leadership; and ASPA 75th Anniversary Tribute.

Start using the videos right away! Links below will take you to four sets of videos focusing on four major areas of public service.

1) Budget and Financial Management

2) Health and Human Services

3) Transportation and Emergency Services

4) Public Safety

Thank You!

This project would not have been possible without the support of Dean John Bartle, UNO College of Public Affairs and Community. We also appreciate the support and contributions of the following organizations:

American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA)
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Virtual Museum of Public Service (VMPS)
National Certified Public Manager® Consortium

We thank them for their commitment to public service and to those who serve.

Visit us on YouTube
video

Ask Me Why I Care Introduction

Related Resources

  • American Society for Public Administration
  • Virtual Museum of Public Service
  • National Academy of Public Administration
  • National Certified Public Manager® Consortium
  • International Institute of Municipal Clerks
  • International City/County Management Association
  • Government Finance Officers Association
  • Partnership for Public Service

College of Public Affairs and Community Service

  • Contact Us
  • Deans Office
  • College of Public Affairs and Community Service
  • CPACS 109
  • 6320 Maverick Plaza
  • Omaha, NE 68182  map this location
  • 402.554.2276
  • CPACS Units and Resources
  • Division of Continuing Studies
  • School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Department of Gerontology
  • Goodrich Scholarship Program
  • School of Public Administration/Aviation Institute/Emergency Management and Disaster Science
  • Grace Abbott School of Social Work
  • William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies
  • Center for Public Affairs Research
Sunrise over the CPACS building
  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page