Public Service Stories

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.

Dr. Mary Hamilton and Ms. Rita Paskowitz are co-directors of the Ask Me Why I Care project.

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.