Congratulations to 2017 Newman Civic Fellows!

The Newman Civic Fellowship, an initiative of Campus Compact, distinguishes and supports students who are devoted to finding solutions to various challenges that communities are facing throughout the United States. Throughout the year-long experience, the fellows train and learn about resources that would help them tackle the community challenges. Each year, college and university presidents and chancellors nominate an exemplary student for Newman Civic Fellows. For 2017, Campus Compact selected 273 Newman Civic Fellows from colleges and universities throughout the United States.

ADP extends its congratulations to all of the students selected as 2017 Newman Civic Fellows and especially to the 54 students from ADP member institutions.

• Marisol Luis – California State University Channel Island
• Ramiro Merino Diaz – California State University, Fresno
• Frida Endinjok – California State University, Northridge
• Marie Spence – University of Denver
• Noelle Stone – Florida Gulf Coast University
• Andrew Aboujaoude – University of Central Florida
• Corinne Tucker – University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
• Laura Pappas – Georgia College and State University
• Ansley Miller – Kennesaw State University
• Cristian Ramos – University of North Georgia
• Lindsey Earl – Illinois State University
• Jordan Parrott – Indiana University Southeast
• Melanie Majeed – University of Northern Iowa
• Emily Brandt – Fort Hays State University
• Duane Belanger – University of Maine at Fort Kent
• Michael Wynder – Morgan State University
• Suphitha Phawapoothanon – Towson University
• Sophia Lopresti – University of Maryland Baltimore County
• Andrew King – University of Massachusetts-Boston
• Jennifer Peacock – Central Michigan University
• Haley Moraniec – Eastern Michigan University
• Sean Williams – Ferris State University
• Georgia Harrison – Northern Michigan University
• Zachary Hayes – University of Michigan-Flint
• Mckinsey Wiltermuth – Missouri State University
• Haylee Mooney – Montana State University Billings
• Alexis (Lexi) Brandon – Montana Tech of the University of Montana
• Jimmy Nguyen – University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Brittany LaFleur – Keene State College
• Collin Officer – New Jersey City University
• Jodie Davis – Stockton University
• Ada Garcia – Buffalo State (SUNY)
• Alexandra Cicero – State University of New York, Cortland
• Colleen Steward – State University of New York, Geneseo
• Sahar Rajput – State University of New York, Oswego
• Katherine Holmok – State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred
• Jermaine Meadows – The College at Brockport (SUNY)
• Erick Jenkins – East Carolina University
• Tyler Walker – North Carolina Central University
• Erica Cherian – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Natural Breeden – University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Neiko Alvarado – Bowling Green State University
• Jack Nickelson – Northwestern Oklahoma State University
• Rhyder Jolliff – Rogers State University
• Devin Smoot – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Jaylon Thomas – University of Central Oklahoma
• Sharon Valenrio – Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
• Justin Pierre – Millersville University of Pennsylvania
• Eisha Khan – University of Houston-Downtown
• Margaret Linscott – James Madison University
• Kristin Brown – Bluefield State College
• Jeshua Van Sickle – Weber State University
• Bianca Ruffolo – University of Wisconsin-Parkside
• Yessenia Santamaria – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

 

Maryland Bill Would Put a Polling Location on Every College Campus

By Ellie Brookbank, Junior Political Science Major, Salisbury University (Md.)

Ellie Brookbank

My name is Ellie Brookbank and I am currently the Political Director for the Maryland College Democrats and the President of the Salisbury University College Democrats. At the start of the Maryland General Assembly’s legislative session, I also became an intern for Maryland State Senator Bobby Zirkin (D-11) who has served the Maryland assembly since 1998. Senator Zirkin, who is the Chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, recently proposed a bill (Senate Bill 141) that would require a polling place be established on all higher education campuses that house students.

As the student leader of a political organization, I am thrilled about the effect that this piece of legislation could have on increasing student voter turnout and overall civic engagement. During the past election cycle, both the Maryland State College Democrats and the Salisbury College Democrats were working to make sure that students were informed about when and how they could vote. On Salisbury’s campus specifically, both members of the College Democrats and College Republicans participated in voter registration tables in conjunction with PACE (Salisbury’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement). From participating in many of these voter registration tables, handing out voter information at various school events, and discussing voting procedures during club meetings, I was able to get a sense of the obstacles students face when voting.

During the first hearing of Senate Bill 141 (track the bill here) in the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, I testified on behalf of this significant bill and also helped to organize students from all over Maryland to share both their oral and written support for this bill. During my testimony, I highlighted that absentee ballots are often the only option for students who are not able to go back home to vote, do not have the transportation to get off campus to a polling location, or are not comfortable going off campus in general. Although absentee ballots may be the only way of voting for students, many are not aware of what they are, or how to request them. Having a polling place directly on college campuses would make voting significantly more accessible for students who are living, working, and volunteering in the communities where they attend school.

Although this bill is still in committee, I am optimistic that the members of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee will realize the critical role this legislation could play in increasing student voter turnout. Even if Senate Bill 141 does not become law this legislative session, I hope that it will spark a discussion between Maryland students and schools about the accessibility of voting on their individual campuses.

 

Student Spotlight | University of Missouri St. Louis Constitution Day Essay Contest Winner

University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) held an essay contest as part of their commemoration of Constitution Day 2015 asking students, ” What does freedom mean to you?” Undergraduate student Myra Dotzel won the essay contest with her strong and flowing words about what freedom means to her.

In Honor of the Human Spirit | By Myra Dotzel, UMSL first-year student

Freedom, like other ideas, is a value shared amongst many different peoples. Because of this, freedom is interpreted in many different ways. The term “freedom” is commonly defined as the absence of necessity or constraint in action. However, when mentioned in the United States Constitution, freedom intimates a much broader range of ideas and celebrated values. Our United States Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. In short, the Constitution promises individuals the right to be themselves.

Even though interpretations of “Freedom” vary across cultures, groups, and communities around the world, freedom is universally humanity’s natural right of choice. In other words, freedom is what allows an individual to value what they do in safety and confidence. More specifically, freedom should not and will never be taken away from humanity. A person is born with freedom and will die with it as well. In the direst of circumstances, people neither have the ability nor do they have the right to confiscate freedom from another. Furthermore, no one reserves the right to offend or diminish the freedom and liberty of others. In this way, freedom in itself is a symbol of equality amongst individuals, races, groups, and other communities. Freedom is about individual expression; it is color in a bleak world; it is what transforms a loud, violent world into a tolerable one. In these ways, freedom must be encouraged as it is part of the human spirit.

Freedom is generally defined as an absence of norm or coercion. However, freedom, is more than this. Acting to harm another’s freedom is acting to harm one’s own morals and what was ultimately intended for the human spirit and world as a whole. So today, in the midst of violence, hate, and persecution, it is important to remember that no matter who we are or where we come from, the human spirit of freedom always echoes through our hearts and must inform our actions. In general, acting to infringe another’s freedom is a moral crime. Ultimately, freedom serves as an example of the endurance and commitment to honoring the human spirit. Without freedom, there is no equality. Without equality, there is no freedom.

About the Author

Myra Dotzel is a dually enrolled freshman at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, she is a passionate writer and artist. Her writing has been recognized at the state level. Her paintings have been accepted into the Young Artist Guild Showcase and have won special awards through various organizations’ art contests. Myra is an active deacon at her church. She is very much a community-minded individual. In 2014, Myra organized a supply drive for the Department of Veterans Affairs at Jefferson Barracks. She brought over 6,000 brand new items to help stock the supply room at the VA hospital at Jefferson Barracks.

Student Spotlight: Campus Compact’s 2015 Newman Civic Fellows

Campus Compact’s Newman Civic Fellows Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research, and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change. These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building a better world.  The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation.

Congratulations to the following 46 students from AASCU/ADP colleges and universities who have been named Newman Civic Fellows for 2015 by Campus Compact! You may click on each name to read a description of their accomplishments.

• Ashley Ebel, Alfred State College
• Laura Stevens, Bluefield State College
• Madison Georgoff, Bowling Green State University
• Daisy Carranza, California State University – Channel Islands
• Evelyn Gonzalez, California State University – Fresno
• Jasmine Cofield, Central Michigan University
• Emma Green, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Brenna Johnson, Fort Hays State University
• Ashlyn Douglas, Georgia College
• Christopher Halberstadt, Indiana University East
• Ryan Mahan, Keene State College
• Khylil Chestnut, Kennesaw State University
• Ama Bemma Adwetewa -Badu, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
• Ricardo Tonatiuh Rocha, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Anyae Broomer, Millersville University
• Aubrey Snedeker, Missouri State University
• Lacey Mogan, Montana State University Billings
• Joseph Vernon, Montana State University-Northern
• Kori Dyer, Montana Tech
• Melissa Orzechowski, North Michigan University
• Randiss Hopkins, Northern Illinois University
• Josi Hasenauer, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
• Monica McKeon, Plymouth State University
• Victoria DeMan, Purdue University North Central
• Raleigh Jobes, Rogers State University
• Lavell Simpkins, Shippensburg University
• Benjamin Bourgoin, St. Cloud State University
• Abby Golfo, SUNY Geneseo
• Amber Mills, The Citadel
• Sarah Whitmire, UNC Charlotte
• Amelia Klug, University of Central Florida
• Christopher Dowling, University of Central Oklahoma
• Donna Scaffidi, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Gabrielle Monteiro, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, University of Missouri – St. Louis
• Kaila Athearn, University of Montana Western
• Brieland Fripp, University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Rachel Glazer, University of North Georgia
• Michael Caraway, University of Northern Iowa
• Anthony Cuevas, University of South Carolina Beaufort
• Julie Holt, University of South Carolina Upstate
• Jeanine Ashforth, University of South Florida Sarasota – Manatee
• Alexa Morgan, University of Wisconsin – Parkside
• Jeremy Fricke, Wayne State College
• Kristen Mitchell, Weber State University
• Audriana Blackwell, Western Connecticut State University

Student Spotlight: CSU Fresno’s Elizabeth Olenchalk

California State University, Fresno junior Elizabeth Olenchalk was named a 2014 Newman Civic Fellow in recognition of her commitment to community service and civic leadership.

Elizabeth is a Liberal Studies major and her minor in Urban Civic Education was developed as part of AASCU’s five-campus, Learn and Serve America grant-funded program to develop civic minors in urban education (learn more here). Olenchalk hopes to become “a change agent who addresses community issues.” Read more.