From the president
Lucie Dollarhyde, a current junior in the Human Services program at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, exemplifies the spirit of the Newman Civic Fellowship through her unwavering commitment to social justice, civic leadership, and systemic change. Born in Prague, Czech Republic, and now rooted in the United States, Lucie’s life journey fuels her empathetic and globally informed approach to addressing the needs of children and vulnerable adults. Her background spans social work, education, legal advocacy, and public service, Lucie has consistently sought out roles where she can challenge inequities and uplift underserved populations. Her work as a Child Support Specialist and paralegal on abuse and neglect cases reflects a deep understanding of the root causes of public problems and a bold determination to confront them. She excels in building cross-sector collaborations and applying innovative, community-centered strategies to support systemic reform. Lucie is not only preparing for a career in Child Protective Services—she is already living its mission. The Newman Civic Fellowship will amplify her voice, expand her impact, and equip her with the network and tools to drive meaningful, long-term change. She is a powerful emerging leader ready to take civic action to the next level.
Personal Statement
My name is Lucie Dollarhyde. I grew up in the Czech Republic and I have lived in the United States since 2005. I have always felt drawn to helping others. I have worked with people of various ages, from children to the elderly, and with individuals of varying cognitive, emotional and physical abilities. I strongly care about people, and I believe in fighting for the right thing. I hate seeing people suffer from a lack of opportunities or a lack of resources. I am a strong proponent of prevention. If we can create programs and invest in people early on, we may be able to save not only money in the end but also the lives of many. State and private agencies need to cooperate to put the needs of the client first. We might have come to this world alone, but we do not live here alone and we cannot survive without helping each other and working together towards the greater good. I am humbled and proud to be working alongside others who chose the path of a service worker.