Examples of Good Practice from Thomas Edison State College
John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy
The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy of Thomas Edison State College is a vital resource for decision-makers across New Jersey and is situated within the College’s John S. Watson School of Public Service. The Watson Institute applies the resources of higher education to public policy matters in a practical and hands-on manner and in response to the expressed needs of decision-makers. Three Watson Institute programs present examples of “good practice to promote democracy, diversity, intercultural understanding, and civic responsibility”:
- Work with the New Jersey Urban Mayors’ Association
- Work with the Environmental Justice community
- Work with the Leadership Trenton Program
Watson Institute staff provide practical research, technical assistance, and other expertise as they work with civic leaders in the New Jersey Urban Mayors’ Association and in the Environmental Justice community. Work with the former involves providing expertise and guidance on issues, many of which have an impact on diversity, cultural education, and democracy-building in New Jersey’s cities. Work with the latter involves acquiring grants and providing expertise in support of reducing health risks and solving other problems imposed by environmental pollution on some of our most disadvantaged citizens.
The Watson Institute also oversees Leadership Trenton an issues-based, leadership-development program for emerging civic leaders who are committed to revitalizing the City of Trenton. The vision of Leadership Trenton is based on the belief that a city’s greatest resource is the quality of its civic leaders. Its mission is to identify and challenge emerging community leaders through a ten-month series of experiential seminars that increase knowledge and stimulate discussion on critical public policy issues relevant to Trenton and the surrounding region.
This page is part of a series of Examples of Good Practice.
