Providence, RI--Providence College--the college that established the nation's first undergraduate degree program in public and community service studies--is now officially home to the country's first undergraduate department in public and community service studies.

The new distinction was brought about when College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. recently approved elevating the Public and Community Service Studies Program to department status.

His action triggered several benefits that will enhance the quality and reputation of public and community service studies at the College, according to Dr. Raymond L. Sickinger, professor of history and public and community service studies and the new department's chair.

Sickinger also is director of the Feinstein Institute for Public Service, which has been overseeing the Public and Community Service Studies Program since its inception.

"We're interdisciplinary now. We were always interdisciplinary and we would look to have the program remain interdisciplinary," said Sickinger, noting that the department has a "rooted faculty who have tradition and a strong interest" in public and community service studies.

The establishment of a department also puts the College in a position to hire a visiting scholar or another faculty member with tenure in this study area in the future, pointed out Sickinger. "Ten or twelve years ago, the field was young. Now, there's a talent pool, which will allow us to bring an even stronger cadre of faculty into the department," he said.

The College will benefit by the opportunity "to strengthen significantly its role as a leader in this field and will help the College to transform the surrounding community of which it is such a vital part," said Sickinger.

He also believes department approval will help solidify both the College's major in public and community service studies and the Feinstein Institute itself. In addition to the 19 students who participated in the original pilot program beginning in fall 1995, there have been 112 students majoring in public and community service studies and 95 students minoring in the program who have graduated. Noting that the institute previously concentrated much of its energy on overseeing the major--a minor also is offered--it now will be able to focus more on strengthening community partnerships, Sickinger said.

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