English Major Named Newman Civic Fellow at MCLA
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Senior Ama Bemma Adwetewa-Badu of Worcester has been selected by the Campus Compact as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' 2015 Newman Civic Fellow.
According to the Campus Compact, Fellows tackle community challenges, provide fresh energy and perspective, inspire and mobilize others, and develop their own skills and potential. Through service, research and advocacy, Newman Fellows make the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.
As one of this year's Newman Civic Fellows, Adwetewa-Badu, an English major at MCLA, joins 200 other student leaders who represent Campus Compact member colleges and universities from 36 states and Washington, D.C.
A participant in MCLA's Leadership, Education, Action, Development (LEAD) Academy – a high-impact, service learning and leadership program – just prior to her freshman year, Adwetewa-Badu went on to leadership positions in a number of campus organizations.
In addition to serving as a LEAD Academy staff member over recent summers, Adwetewa-Badu is the coordinating vice president of the Student Government Association's (SGA) executive cabinet and actively supports the MCLA Berkshire Food Project. She also served as an MCLA Admissions ambassador and a teaching assistant.
"With this recognition, Campus Compact is highlighting the remarkable impact these students are having on their campuses and communities," said Bernard J. Milano, president of the KPMG Foundation and a Campus Compact board member. "We are proud to support Campus Compact in bringing attention to these extraordinary students. KPMG seeks a diverse talent pool of students who share our values, one of which involves service to the communities in which we live and work."
The award was created in honor of Campus Compact founder Frank Newman. Sponsored by the KPMG Foundation – it honors students who are committed to creating lasting change in their communities. Newman was a tireless advocate for the role of higher education in preparing students for active and engaged citizenship, according to the Compact.
This year's record amount of Fellows will leverage an even greater capacity for engagement and change through online networking, according to the Compact. In keeping with their generation's emphasis on networks over hierarchies, Newman Civic Fellows will share ideas and materials to further their work through an exclusive online community especially for Fellows.
"Dr. Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, had a tremendous impact on American education and its role in the development of citizens who are eager and prepared to make a difference," said Campus Compact President Andrew J. Seligsohn. "He dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform and this new group of Newman Civic Fellows would have inspired him. They are reflections and affirmations of his life's work."
Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.
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