The Haas Center's Mission
The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University connects academic study with community and public service to strengthen communities and develop effective public leaders. The Center aspires to develop aware, engaged and thoughtful citizens who contribute to the realization of a more just and humane world.
Click here to see how the Haas Center perpetuates the ideals of Jane and Leland Stanford.
Quick Facts About the Center
For more detailed information, see:
Haas at a Glance [PDF] and Haas Programs [PDF]
For a review of the numbers of students, faculty and community organizations served by the Haas Center, see: Service Counts at Haas! [PDF]
Established
1984-85, as the Public Service Center in Owen House
Renaming
1989, as the Haas Center for Public Service
Building completion and re-dedication
1993
Former Directors
Catherine Milton (1985-1993); Timothy Stanton (1993-1999); Nadinne Cruz (1999-2003); Leonard Ortolano, Peter E. Haas Director and UPS Professor of Engineering (2003-2006).
Director (2006-Present)
Dr. Gabriel Garcia, Peter E. Haas Director, Professor of Medicine, and Associate Dean of Admissions at Stanford School of Medicine, director@haas.Stanford.edu
Interim Managing Director
Jackie Schmidt-Posner, jsp@stanford.edu
Associate Director for External Relations
Suzanne Abel, sabel@stanford.edu
Interim Associate Director for Public Service Education
Jon McConnell, jonmc@stanford.edu
Associate Director for Administrative Services
Olivia Torbett, torbett@stanford.edu
The Center and Stanford's Mission
On November 11, 1885, Leland Stanford and Jane Lathrop Stanford formally established the University with a Founding Grant. The language of this original grant is instructive because it reveals clearly the Stanfords' intention. Indeed, the first section of the Founding Grant sets out the University's object and public service-related purposes:
"Its object, to qualify its students for personal success, and direct usefulness in life; And its purposes, to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization, and inculcating love and reverence for the great principles of government."
In the years after Leland Stanford's death, Jane Lathrop Stanford prepared several amendments to the Founding Grant, and one of those, the amendments of November 1, 1901, reinforced the public service aspects of the University's purpose. Stanford wrote:
"While the instruction offered must be such as will qualify the students for personal success and direct usefulness in life, they should understand that it is offered in the hope and trust that they will become thereby of greater service to the public."
Haas Center Staff Values
People and Community
We value and respect each person, both as an individual and as an integral part of this and other communities.
Excellence and Responsibility
We hold ourselves to high standards of quality, responsibility, and accountability in our work.
Collaboration
As an ensemble, we value mutuality, group process, shared decision-making and open communication.
Diversity
We believe in the importance and complexity of honoring and learning from diversity.
Honesty and Integrity
We aim to be straightforward and sincere in our communications and interactions with others.
Learning
We hope to nurture individual and organizational growth that is rooted in experience, intentional reflection and multiple ways of knowing.
Commitment to a Shared Vision
We derive continual inspiration from our mission and sense of common purpose.
Celebration
We take time to acknowledge and appreciate one another and our accomplishments.
Creativity
The dynamic context of our work requires a commitment to thoughtful exploration and a willingness to take risks.
Advancement of Social Equity
Social justice and civic values are core values for each of us, as well as at the heart of our mission as a center.
Principles of Ethical and Effective Service