(Sarasota, FL, February 2, 2004) - Convincing young people to pursue a career in public service or political office has emerged as one of the most important missions of the new Institute for Public Policy and Leadership at USF Sarasota-Manatee.

“A public policy institute could reverse the trend of young people turning away from government service,” said Barbara Fleischer, a circuit judge in the Thirteenth Judicial District and member of the Institute’s Council of Advisors. “We need to recruit the next generation of young people into public office; it’s more complex, with local and global issues coming closer together.”

The Council of Advisors for the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership met January 29 to discuss the steps needed for launching the Institute. The Institute, chaired by former Congressman Dan Miller of Bradenton, will now ask the USF Board of Trustees to approve its charter for USF Sarasota-Manatee. Topics at the Advisory Council meeting included establishing a mission statement, integrating academic programs and training, identifying emerging social issues, and eventually appointing an administrator.

The Institute’s goal is to help shape the future social, economic, physical and government environments that influence the lives of citizens, especially in the South Tampa Bay region. Issues for city and county government, such as training the next generation of public administrators, healthcare, transportation and infrastructure needs for Sarasota and Manatee county’s growing mix of an aging population with younger people, were also agreed upon as areas to explore at future meetings.

“Through programs such as the Institute of Public Policy and Leadership, USF continues to share its prestigious national research ranking with the Sarasota-Manatee community,” said Dr. Laurey Stryker, USF Sarasota-Manatee’s CEO. “We are pleased to have Dan Miller as the lead advisor in our efforts to train future leaders in such issues as civic engagement, revenue sharing, impact of global events, and change management. Collaboration and partnerships with other institutes and groups around the state and locally will be important for our community.”

The nonpartisan group will meet again in the spring. "I've worked with public policy institutes around the country including Harvard. One thing you can do is address the issues of public policy from an academic perspective. And second, you can encourage young people to consider public service. It's a good cause you can contribute and make a difference," said Miller.

The Council members are a prestigious group of longtime community leaders including: Muriel Brathwaite, World Bank (ret.); Ed Chiles, USF Board of Trustees member and Restaurateur; Hon. Barbara Fleischer; Dr. Peter French, Associate VP and Dean of USF Sarasota-Manatee; Jim Ley, Sarasota County administrator; Earl Mackey, National Conference of State Legislatures; Dr. Susan MacManus, USF professor of political science; Dr. Dan Miller, former congressman; Ernie Padgett, Manatee County administrator; Jan Smith, USF Campus Board chair; Tom Steiner, McKinsey and Company; Bill Zeliff, former NH congressman; and Dr. Laurey Stryker, USF Sarasota-Manatee CEO.