---
title: Molding Tomorrow’s Civic Leaders—From Firsthand Experience
date: 2024-12-09T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/molding-tomorrows-civic-leaders-from-firsthand-experience"
section: Articles
---
# Molding Tomorrow’s Civic Leaders—From Firsthand Experience

*December 9, 2024* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> Maryland Delegate Teaches Course on Public Service

*IMG 3166 1920x1080 — In the class "Civic Leadership and Human Services," Maryland Del. Emily Shetty (introducing a bill at the Maryland State House, left) teaches Terps the ins and outs of how government functions.*

A vigorous debate was afoot: Should the state of Maryland levy an 11% excise tax on the sales of firearms and ammunition to fund trauma centers and violence intervention programs? Points were strong on both sides of the aisle. That money could be a huge boon to the hospitals that treat critical injuries, argued the majority party; small businesses that rely on gun sales could lose hobbyist shooters to stores selling cheaper guns in Delaware or Pennsylvania, retorted the minority party.

Though the debate was based on a [real bill](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0935?ys=2024RS&search=True) introduced in the Maryland State House, those deliberating on Tuesday evening weren’t state delegates but University of Maryland students taking the final exam of “Civic Leadership and Human Services,” a class in the [Maryland Fellows](https://www.marylandfellows.umd.edu/) program taught by Del. Emily Shetty.

She joined University of Maryland faculty in 2023 for the launch of the program, which aims to prepare undergraduates for careers in public service at the state and local levels—something the six-year lawmaker knows a lot about.

“As a Maryland public servant, I’m really excited for the focus on the state, because we are so in need of incredible people to stay and serve their communities.”


*young boy looks at phone under desk as woman works on laptop — Shetty's son visits her at work during a debate on the House floor. (Photo courtesy of Emily Shetty)*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Government and Politics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/government-and-politics), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [Office of Undergraduate Studies](https://today.umd.edu/topic/office-undergraduate-studies)