Newman Civic Fellows

The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country, recommended by college and university presidents to acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership. 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. Newman Civic Fellows form a unique network of leaders who will inspire and keep hope alive for one another during college and afterward, as the network expands exponentially each year.

The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation, in memory of Frank Newman, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform. Read more here.

Recipients of the Newman Civic Fellows Award

2023 | Rivera Cruz ’25

Rivera Cruz is a junior studying Political and Data Science while concentrating on International Relations. Her vehemtive attitude for justice stems from her experiences in her youth and the people she has encountered in her academic career at John Carroll. She is a humanitarian on the U.S.-Mexico border and advocates immigration policy reform. Through CSSA, she educates diverse groups of immigrant and refugee students on various topics, including English, Algebra, and professional development. In her community, she helps those experiencing homelessness through the Labre project. She wants to ensure a loving legacy for everyone, challenge what is accepted, and make a healthy and strong foundation for all those to come. She thanks her mother for her resilience to unjust systems and for showing her what her courage was.

Past Recipients:

2022 | Sarah Brown ’23
2020 | Caroline Maltese ’21
2019 | Naudia Loftis ’20
2018 | Sean Freeman ’19
2017 | Zachary Thomas ’18
2016 | Robin Goist ’18