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Newman Civic Fellowship

������ý��Ƶ�����ƹۿ� student Camille Giacovas ’18 was recently named a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow. Giacovas is one of 273 students across the country that will be apart of the 2017 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.

An international studies major and humanitarian action minor, Giacovas started the Refugee Youth Mentor program at Fairfield. The after-school program allows refugee students between the ages of 13-18 years old to engage in a number of activities with Fairfield students including workshops, tutoring, college essay assistance, recreational activities and conversation. The program is sponsored by the Center for Faith and Public Life.

She hopes that the program will become a nation-wide model for campus-community collaboration. Giacovas stated, “My goal is to ensure this program is not just a temporary opportunity or a glimmer of light at ������ý��Ƶ�����ƹۿ� amidst the darkness surrounding the refugee crisis world-wide. Instead, I envision this program as a seed planted at ������ý��Ƶ�����ƹۿ� that will flourish into a nation-wide initiative by students, educators, administrators and legislatures alike in communities shared with refugee populations."

Additionally, Giacovas was awarded a $1,500 Campus Sustainability grant to expand support for local refugees by collecting used furniture and home goods from Fairfield students.

Lynn Babington, PhD, RN, Interim President stated, “Camille thinks creatively and takes every opportunity to improve the lives of refugees, and in doing so lives out our University's mission to share resources and expertise for the betterment of our community.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship, named for Campus Compact co-founder Frank Newman, is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional and civic growth. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with access to exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

“The cultivation of community-committed leaders has never been more crucial,” said Campus Compact President Andrew Seligsohn. “We rebuilt the Newman Civic Fellowship experience because our country needs more people who know how to bring communities together for positive change. We are thrilled to welcome this group of 273 exemplary students as the first cohort to participate in this new model.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship is supported by the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.