The Student Design Fellow Report is a new resource published by Campus Compact and authored by our Student Design Fellows. This detailed report summarizes the extensive research of Campus Compact's Student Design Fellows and offers guidance for institutions that would like to implement student engagement strategies developed by students themselves.
Strategic plans for student civic leadership are often written for students or about them. Rarely are strategic visions created by paid student leaders and designed with them leading every step of the way. Campus Compact aims to change that model, and with the critical support of Lumina Foundation, Campus Compact launched the Student Design Fellowship to model and uplift a new vision for student civic leadership, with student voices at its center.
Over the past two years, Campus Compact's Student Design Fellows have investigated students' aspirations for creating a more opportunity-rich and impactful future for student civic leadership, as well as the challenges that are getting in their way.
Through extensive research, a review of existing best practices, and interviews with students and experts nationwide, Fellows designed and facilitated inquiry workshops about the future of student civic leadership. Broken into six themes and seven programmatic ideas, the Design Fellows' findings provide a clear roadmap for Campus Compact student engagement moving forward.
“We're thrilled to have been able to support the Student Design Fellows' work. This isn't just another report — it's a roadmap built by students who represent the full range of backgrounds and institution types that make up our higher education systems,” said Terri Taylor, Strategy Director for Innovation and Discovery at Lumina. “Their work helps cut through the noise and highlight where we most need to focus to deliver on our promises to students and our communities.”
Student Design Fellows and Report Authors:
On August 19th, 2025 at 3:00pm ET, Campus Compact will host a webinar where members and non-members alike can hear from the Student Design Fellows about their experiences, how this report came together, how to replicate it on their own campuses, and about their vision for student civic leadership. Register today at events.compact.org/fund-and-follow-students.
For more information and to access the full guide, visit compact.org/resources/student-design-fellows-report. Would you like to contribute to this new body of work? Get in touch with Will Brummett ([email protected]) with any questions, comments, or suggestions.