A year in review at the Partnership for Public Service
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A year in review at the Partnership for Public Service

Date
January 2, 2024

Since its founding in 2001, the Partnership for Public Service has worked to create a more dynamic and innovative government that effectively serves the public—a goal we view as central to building a stronger democracy.    

It has been an incredible journey filled with remarkable accomplishments—and this past year was no exception. Here are our biggest accomplishments from 2023 in three core areas:

Society’s commitment to government

Addressing low trust in government  

We published “The State of Public Trust in Government 2023” and our “Trust in Government Dashboard” to explore the factors that contribute to low trust in government.  

Our research shows that most Americans have favorable views of nonelected federal employees, well-known agencies and many government services, even as this low trust persists, highlighting the need to share more success stories about government and public servants.  

We also hosted our first ever Trust Summit, convening leaders from across sectors to discuss public perceptions of government and how federal agencies can reconnect with the communities they serve. 

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel with Axios Chief Economic Correspondent Neil Irwin at the Trust Summit.
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel with Axios Chief Economic Correspondent Neil Irwin at the Trust Summit.

Stories about the positive impact of government and career civil servants 

We released a new video series, “Our Government Explained (in 3 Minutes or Less),” to help the public better understand our largest democratic institution and the people who work there. 

We also launched a new newsletter, “Five Stories of Public Service,” to highlight the ways civil servants keep us safe, healthy and prosperous. 

Recognizing exceptional federal employees 

The annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals®, recognize federal employees who improve our lives and keep our country moving forward.  

We celebrated the 2023 Sammies honorees at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Kate Bolduan, co-anchor of CNN News Central, hosted the program, which welcomed agency leaders, members of Congress, and many others from the public and private sectors.  

Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent and former anchor and managing editor of the “PBS Newshour,” received our Spirit of Service Award, which recognizes an individual outside of government who contributes to the public good. Since 2001, the Sammies have recognized more than 760 public servants.  

Watch highlights from the ceremony or the complete event.

The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., October 17, 2023. (photo by Allison Shelley for Partnership for Public Service)

Federal talent

Public Service Roadshow 

Partnership staff embarked on the second annual Public Service Roadshow, reaching more than 1,000 students at 27 college and universities across 16 states. These campus visits helped students and career advisors better understand government career opportunities and how to apply to federal jobs.

Partnership staff stop for a photo during the Public Service Roadshow.
Partnership staff stop for a photo during the Public Service Roadshow.

Developing federal hiring experts 

New in 2023, the Federal Advisor Certificate Program trained more than 250 university career services professionals to become experts in federal hiring, and support and advise students interested in public service. 

The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® 

The 2022 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, the most comprehensive and authoritative analysis of how federal employees view their jobs, offered a roadmap for agencies to build a strong workplace and support their workforce, both of which drive government performance.    

For the first time, The Washington Post previewed the top 10 federal workplaces in four categories—large, midsize and small agencies, plus agency subcomponents.

Public Service Leadership

Preparing for the 2024 presidential election 

The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition® kicked off its 2024 activities to help facilitate an effective transfer of power if a new president is elected and prepare the incumbent administration for a second term is President Biden wins office. 

As part of this kickoff, the Center launched its redesigned presidentialtransition.org website, released updated versions of the Presidential Transition Guide and Agency Transition Guide, shared a new data visualization that draws on our Political Appointee Tracker to explain the broken Senate confirmation process and initiated a biweekly newsletter that highlights the Center’s research and events, in addition to important news and transition milestones. 

CBS’ Margaret Brennan and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hag spoke at the Center for Presidential Transition 2024 kickoff event.

Developing federal leaders 

More than 7,000 federal employees, including more than 1,200 Senior Executive Service members and political appointees, received training in 2023 through our Public Service Leadership Institute. According to surveys, 95% of participants agreed that their program made them a better leader.

Graduates from the Excellence in Government Fellows Program, fall 2022-2023.

A look ahead 

In 2024, we will continue to grow our organization and expand our efforts in these core areas.  

We invite you to stay up to date with our work to build a better government and a stronger democracy.  

Learn more about impact by visiting our website.


Isalys De La Rosa is a former intern on the Partnership’s Communications team.

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