World Conditions Send More Students Into Public Affairs Programs

Concerns about uncertainties around the world seem to be drawing more students into public affairs programs at colleges and universities. World unrest is responsible, in many ways, for the surge in the number of students enrolling in public affairs programs. But Barton Wechsler, the Director of the Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri-Columbia, says there’s much more at play here, including a desire to engage in public service. Wechsler says most of those enrolled in public affairs programs are graduate students who have already earned undergraduate degrees. According to Wechsler, the desire to serve was inspired to a large degree by the events of September 11th, 2001, and the heroic responses of policeofficers, firefighters, and other public servants.