Newman Civic
Melissa Ramirez, the 2023 scholar for the Newman Civic Fellowship. MSU photo by Colter Peterson.
The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports the next generation of public problem solvers.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities commited to advancing the public purpose of higher education. The fellowship is a year-long program that supports student public problem solvers known for their potential in leadership and working with communities, campus leaders at Campus Compact member institutions. Newman Civic scholars attend events focused on skill development and professional learning, gain public national recognition, get one-to-one leadership development with a local mentor, and more.
Newman Civic scholars are nominated by their campus president. The fellowship honors the Campus Compact Founder Frank Newman by recognizing community-committed students that have high potential and motivation for civic engagement, address issues on inequality and political polarization, and show interest in creating long-term social change through campus partners and surrounding communities.
11 Montana State University students have received a Newman Civic Fellowship. In 2023, MSU produced another Newman Civic scholar. Learn more about their experience, below.
11
MSU students have been awarded this pretigious scholarship.
Meet Our Newman Civic Scholars
Melissa Ramirez | 2023
"'Melissa is a passionate champion for first-generation college students at MSU and has been instrumental in organizing formal recognition and support for them on campus,' said MSU President Waded Cruzado, who nominated Ramirez for the award. 'We are extremely proud of her efforts to make Montana State a more welcoming space for first-generation students and excited that she will be in a position to expand on this work at a national level.'"
Hometown: Maxwell, California
Field of study: Anthropology
Emma Kerkering | 2022
"'I think Emma is very deserving of this fellowship. She is someone who is very clear about what they want to do with their life at such an early stage which is very impressive,' said Deborah Hines, co-director and board member of South-North Nexus. 'She has empathy, and she really tries to understand what people are going through, which is really crucial because some people just assume what people are going through.'"
Learn more about Emma's experience>>
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
Field of study: Cell Biology & Neuroscience
Jessica Brito | 2021
"Brito said that her work is rooted in personal understanding of discrimination and the importance of finding community. As a member of several underrepresented groups — Brito identifies as queer, Black and Jewish — she has 'experienced and witnessed my fair share of discrimination and oppression and have learned how important it is to address such issues of inequality.'"
Learn more about Jessica's experience>>
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Field of study: Psychology
Danielle Antelope | 2020
"Antelope said the Newman Fellowship validates her lifelong interest in leadership as well as her personal journey that began in high school. Antelope said she has been a leader among her peers from the time she was in elementary school."
Learn more about Danielle's experience>>
Hometown: Browning, Montana
Field of study: Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems
Jerico Cummings | 2019
"Through building new partnerships with MSU departments, offering trainings and delivering innovative opportunities for students to engage in challenging conversations about identity, Jerico has taken action to address pressing social issues of inequality and polarization."
Learn more about Jerico's experience>>
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
Field of study: Sociology
Michael Hollinger | 2017
"I remember vividly when Michael first mentioned to me that he and a group of his friends intended to form a student organization to draw attention to human trafficking in Montana."
Learn more about Michael's experience>>
Hometown: Nikiski, Alaska
Field of study: Political Science, minors in Psychology and Economics
Levi Birky | 2016
"As a leader within MSU’s student government, Birky has testified at the state legislature to freeze tuition, and he advocated for state-funded research and for pay increases for MSU faculty and staff. On campus, he helped shepherd through a historic Student Bill of Rights."
Learn more about Levi's experience>>
Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
Field of study: Secondary Education
Alexander Paterson | 2015
"In 2014, he successfully lobbied the student government to throw its voice behind a Bozeman city ordinance protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He led fellow students on a door-knocking campaign to rally support for the ordinance, helping collect 5,000 signatures from Bozeman residents."
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Field of study: Economics
Michael Townshend | 2012
"Michael is passionate about fostering change in the arena of nonjudgmental communication - and recognizing that a key leadership skill in building community is supporting community communication that appreciates differences."
Hometown: Colbert, Washington
Field of study: Mechanical Engineering and Political Science
Jamie Dehl | 2011
"She is coordinator of Hopa Mountain's youth leadership program. She has served as a Child Advancement Project (CAP) mentor for four years, and is involved with numerous student organizations on campus. She serves as the president of the Phi U honorary service organization and is the president of the Montana Education Association-Montana Federation of Teachers student chapter."
Hometown: Colbert, Washington
Field of study: Family and Consumer Science Education, minor in Women's and Gender Studies
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