New Scholarship Aims to Attract Top Business Students to Public Service
New Scholarship Aims to Attract Top Business Students to Public Service
Joel Anderson (Accounting ‘12) considers himself a public service advocate. He served over two years as Gov. Kim Reynolds’ policy advisor and interim director of the Iowa Department of Management. In those roles, he realized how important it is to have talent in government who understands accounting, finance and economics.
So, with the help of Joe Murphy (Economics ‘06), Anderson launched the Public Servant Endowed Scholarship for students pursuing an internship or career in public administration in Iowa.
“It doesn’t matter what political party you are; if you don’t have the individuals who can move money from point A to point B based on legislation, it can be a big risk,” said Anderson, who is now RSM’s director of process risk and controls for the public sector. “Across the country, we’re seeing fewer people choose to work in the public sector, and that was eye-catching for us. So we’re hoping this can help give students a nudge.”
The scholarship is specifically designated for students majoring in accounting or economics within the Wilson College of Business – instead of a political science major, for example – to encourage more business-focused students to enter government service. Thus far, there have been two award recipients, both economics majors. Both have shown interest in taking this scholarship to the next level, working in the state government.
The endowment is funded by Murphy, Anderson and fundraising efforts, which include contributions from various law firms, businesses and associations from around the state.
“It’s so vitally important that government works, and to do that we need people with high intellect and skills to benefit our society,” said Murphy, president of the Iowa Business Council, representing 22 of the biggest Iowa companies. “What we’re trying to do is provide resources to a student so they can pursue their passions in public service and incentivize them financially.”
Anderson calls out this year’s flooding in northwest Iowa as an example of the importance of quality public service leaders. Emergency managers around the state and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services have stepped up to help manage the state and federal financial response.
“We have people stepping up, trying to help in the worst of times,” Anderson said. “There’s that intrinsic value in government service as well as that long-term career.”
Anderson and Murphy added that the UNI Foundation helped set up the scholarship and endowment. Now, they hope the work can make a tangible difference for local communities and the state of Iowa.
“We’re excited to help the future of public servants in this way,” Murphy said. “We interact with government entities all the time in our current roles, and we want to ensure that we have the best and brightest from UNI in those positions.”
