March 9, 2022
Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has named 173 student civic leaders who will make up the organization’s 2022-2023 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Brooklyn Suden, a student at the University of Montana Western, will join students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to form the cohort.
The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. The fellowship is named for the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders, who was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education. In the spirit of Dr. Newman’s leadership, fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, who are invited to select one outstanding student from their campus each year.
“Since I was young, I have been involved in groups that worked to improve my community. When I made the decision to attend the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana, I was concerned that I might not have as much to offer. I had never been there before and didn’t have the same connections that I did in my hometown of Great Falls, Montana. But only three months into my freshman year, I was presented with an amazing opportunity and joined the board of the local United Way so that I could have an impact on my new home. I have also become active in two clubs at Montana Western: the Terra Verde environmental club and the Chi Alpha church group. I am going to take advantage of these great programs to help the community here in Dillon and on the University of Montana Western campus,” said Suden.
Through the fellowship, Campus Compact will provide these students with a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth. Each year, fellows participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide them with the skills and connections they need to create large-scale positive change. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Fellows, which offers intensive skill-building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.
“Brooklyn is a first year University of Montana Western student majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Visual Art. While growing up in Great Falls, Montana, she was passionate about addressing issues surrounding the environment. She was especially interested in increasing recycling efforts and public education about environmental issues. Since starting at Montana Western, she has continued her efforts by joining the Terra Verde Club which concentrates on environmental science and outdoor recreation. She is also active in the Chi Alpha Campus Ministry. Recently she became the first ever UMW student to be named to the board of the local United Way,” said Montana Western Chancellor, Michael Reid.
“We are proud to name such an outstanding and diverse group of students as Newman Civic Fellows,” said Campus Compact President, Bobbie Laur. “Their passion and resolve to take action on the wide range of issues challenging our neighborhoods and communities is inspiring and deeply needed. We cannot wait to engage with them through this transformative experience.”
The Newman Civic Fellowship program is supported by the KPMG Foundation. Learn more at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship. You can read more about each of the student leaders selected for this year’s cohort at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship/the-2022-2023-newman-civic-fellows.
