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Mini Grant Series: Stories of Student Leadership

This collection of stories and projects focused on the diverse issues addressed by the Newman Civic Fellows through mini-grants.
Campus Compact Blog

Newman Fellows Shaping Community Impact

The Newman Civic Fellowship Mini-Grant Program supports Fellows in turning their ideas into action by providing resources to design and implement community impact projects. This year’s Fellows put their vision and leadership into practice—creating programs, events, trainings, and initiatives that not only strengthened their own development, but also left a meaningful mark on the communities they serve. We celebrate and thank these outstanding Fellows for their dedication, creativity, and commitment. Their work demonstrates the power of student leadership to inspire change and build stronger, more connected communities.

To see 2024-2025 mini-grant projects, click here 

Empowering Student-Led Initiatives Across Multiple Issue Areas

Supporting Diverse, Impactful Projects

Newman Civic Fellows mini-grants are leading diverse projects that address various critical issues, all of which are showcased by this comprehensive collection.

Alyssa Alvarez
I have gained a deeper sense of confidence in my leadership potential
- Alyssa Alvarez
Cami Stevovich
This experience allowed me to grow into a more culturally aware and developed person
- Cami Stevovich
Connor Diaz
Accessibility should always be a priority
- Connor Diaz
Dhairya Desai
Through the grant, we were able to expand our commitment to the community
- Dhairya Desia
Kai Hopkinson-Ramsammy
I gained confidence in my vision to accept and seek support when needed.
- Kai Hopkinson-Ramsammy

Table of context

You can browse the various student projects organized by specific issue areas below.
Arts for Community Impact
Student Accessibility and Basic Needs
Civic and Community Engagement
Hunger, Homelessness, and Clothing
Educational Access and Success for
Under-Represented Groups
Healthcare
Activism
Community Outreach and Education
Technology and Data Science

Accessibility in Boston

Abigail Ferrone's project exposes the barriers and educates the community about how access needs differ.

 

Accessibility Belongs Here

Abigail Wells created the University of Central Arkansas’ first Disability Awareness Week to bring visibility to disability inclusion and start important conversations often missing on campus. Her efforts led to 500 people committing to inclusive practices, advocacy for accessible facilities, and a lasting push for change that students plan to carry forward.

 

Inclusive Controlled Burn Project

Alyssa Alvarez helped organize and fund a two-day prescribed burn on a local prairie farm in Minnesota, focusing on both ecological benefits and community building. Through this experience, she gained confidence in her leadership potential and a stronger belief in her ability to initiate tangible change in her community.

 

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Mind Over Borders

Ashbiya Giri presents Mind Over Borders, an event designed for international students.

 

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Designing a Visually Accessible Environment

Bezawit Mulatu highlights how college campuses, which many navigate without thinking, can feel like a maze for students who are blind or have low vision because accessibility is often an afterthought. The project Reimagining oUR Campus for students with visual impairment at the University of Richmond shows the importance of stopping the retrofit approach and instead designing accessibility into the blueprint from the start.

 

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Creativity, Connection and Culture

Cami Stevovich helped organize an event called Creativity, Connections, and Culture to bring Wittenberg students and the Haitian community in Springfield together to share and learn about Haitian culture. The experience helped her grow more culturally aware and better understand different people and cultures, not just academically but as a person, and showed her the important role women play in supporting and growing the Haitian community.

 

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CivWiz Spring 2025 Playtest

Connor Diaz organized the Spring 2025 playtest for CivWiz, a civic learning app, where participants provided feedback that led to plans for better accessibility, UI improvements, and new game features. Leading the project greatly increased his confidence in event hosting, managing projects, and public speaking.

 

AI Myths Unveiled

Daniela Valdivia-Terres presents AI Myths Unveiled.

 

Healthcare Careers for Future Graduates

David Saleh helped put together a healthcare networking event in North Central Indiana to connect students with professionals and employers. What stood out most to him was not just the skills he learned but seeing how important connections are. The event was about more than just finding jobs or improving résumés. It showed students that healthcare careers are within reach and supported by people who believe in them.

 

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Heart 2 Heart

Dhairya Desai played a key role in launching Heart 2 Heart, which provides free CPR training to marginalized communities in Charlotte, that don’t always have easy access to health resources. Through this work, he realized that good health often begins outside of hospitals, with people helping one another. As he plans a future career in medicine, he recognizes that his understanding of care comes from experiences beyond academic training.

 

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Literacy and Post-grad Success

Emma Lively presents, Literacy and Post-grad Success.

 

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Catherine's Cupboard

Jacob Stolberg describes Catherine’s Cupboard, a food pantry at Salve Regina University open to all students, staff, and faculty to help fight food insecurity. Through hosting community meals and gathering feedback, he learned that food insecurity affects the whole campus and that involving local businesses and considering international students is important. Moving forward, the pantry plans to expand by adding hygiene products and responding to community needs.

 

Crown and Culture

Kai Hopkinson-Ramsammy put together an event called “Crown and Culture” at the University of San Diego to celebrate Black diasporic culture. The event included food, music, art, and talks about hair care, and over 70 people showed up. She worked closely with local artists, including visually impaired creators, and learned a lot about leading a big project. The experience also connected her with other student leaders and gave her opportunities to represent her school abroad. Through this work, she learned the value of having a strong network and support system to reach her goals. As a leader, she grew more confident in her vision, her ability to handle changes in plans, and in asking for help when needed.

 

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Multicultural Graduation

Karyme Flores shares that TWU’s JOLT Action chapter organized the 2025 Multicultural Graduation to honor minority students as a response to Texas legislation banning DEI efforts in public universities. The event celebrated graduates and created a fund to continue supporting multicultural graduation efforts at TWU.

 

Growing Change at Okmulgee Primary School

Kemariya Perry, a Culinary Arts major and 2025 Newman Civic Fellow, started a school garden at Okmulgee Primary to help children learn where their food comes from and encourage healthy habits. The garden acts as an outdoor classroom, allowing students to connect with nature and nutrition while fostering curiosity and pride in growing their own vegetables. Though still young, the garden has big plans for the future, including cooking demonstrations and nutrition lessons, planting the first seeds of both vegetables and change.

 

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Bringing Oberlin Together

Omukoko Okoth brought together over 100 Oberlin students for a day of games, food, and conversations in Tappan Square. The event gave students from different groups a chance to meet, have fun, and connect with one another. He realized that building community does not need to be complicated; it starts with a shared space, some simple games, and an open invitation to come together.

 

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Harm Reduction Bags

Owen Schwartz distributed harm reduction bags with Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and information to students and others on campus to support safety and overdose awareness. The effort encouraged student confidence in carrying these life-saving tools and showed strong interest in including harm reduction education during freshman orientation. Through this project, he learned the value of open communication, effective time management, community outreach, and adaptability.

 

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Student Parent Celebration

Sara Leopaldi planned a celebration that brought student parents and faculty together on campus. The run-up to the event had some unexpected setbacks, with a speaker canceling at the last minute and other unanticipated demands, but she adapted quickly and created a memorable experience. It created a real chance for connection across different parts of campus. This event helped her recognize both her strengths and weaknesses when it comes to planning large-scale events on her own.

 

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Project Smile Global

Sooyun (Christina) Kim created a free online event to help students prepare for dental careers without the usual costs and travel. This experience strengthened her dedication to social justice and confirmed her belief that making healthcare education accessible is key to a fairer system.

 

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A Legacy of Belonging

Tanasha Jackson created First-Generation Ospreys, combining digital connection and community events to support and empower first-gen students at UNF. She hopes to expand this project into a standing student organization, formalize mentorship pairings, and explore the creation of a first-gen living-learning community on campus.

 

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Cultivating Sustainability and Recycling Into Campus Culture

Wilson Ha focused on promoting sustainability and improving recycling efforts at John Carroll University. Though he did not complete every goal, his work helped build momentum for ongoing change, inspiring faculty, staff, and students to continue advancing sustainability on campus.

 

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The Embrace Project

The Embrace Project by Wynne Dromey sold 44 art journals and raised $1,600 for Net of Compassion, Breaktime, and Fresh Start 508, hosted 2 free community art workshops, and exhibited paintings alongside podcast interviews and creative social media content, all as a community-wide call for love and belonging.

 

Symposium of the Advancement of Latino Voices (SALV)



By: Leslie Samperio

SALV is a mini-symposium designed for Latino high school students in the Indianapolis area, as well as UIndy college students. The event focuses on empowering students with the confidence to apply to college, while providing resources and support within their community.

Texas NMDP Roundup



By: Jocelyn Auxier

NMDP: is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through cell therapy, particularly for patients with blood cancers and disorders. They operate a registry of potential blood stem cell donors and umbilical cord blood units. NMDP helps patients find donor matches, supports them through the transplant process, and conducts research to improve cell.

Supporting Agnes Scott Colleges Supply Closet and Circular Economy



By: Indie Lorick

Supporting Agnes Scott College's Supply Closet and Circular Economy: aimed to help the campus's supply closet and circular economy by providing a fridge and addressing food insecurity experienced by students. The supply closet provides free shelf-stable food, toiletries, and household goods to students.

The Grand Fauxsino



By: Gracelyn Dill

The Grand Fauxsino: aspires to unite the Rogers State University (RSU) campus with the communities of Tulsa and Claremore, all while raising funds and awareness for a critical cause. Hosted in the Doctor Carolyn Taylor Center (DCTC) ballroom, we aim to support Safenet Services-an essential advocacy center dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

Sharing Enslaved Stories at the McDowell House Museum



By: Elke Coenders

Sharing Enslaved Stories at the McDowell House Museum: to uncover, honor, and share the untold stories of the enslaved with an updated tour and memorial.

Evaluating the financial Well-being of College Athletes



By: Alex Lucier

Evaluating the financial well-being of college athletes: analyzed their financial literacy, confidence, and money management habits.

Supporting Students on the Front Lines of Social Justice



By: Liv Duarte

Supporting Students on the Front Lines of Social Justice: implemented a three-part "Train the Trainer" workshop series to equip student leaders at Salem State University with advocacy skills rooted in social justice.

West Ward Market Cooking Classes



By: Vincent Caminneci

West Ward Market Cooking Classesis series of free community cooking classes was launched at the West Ward Market in Easton, PA to promote healthy eating, wellness, and community connection in a local food desert.

B'More Encouraged



By: Ajalon Mercer

B'More Encouraged: focuses on providing essential Athletic Training supplied and equipment to underserved schools in the Baltimore Area.

Youth Empowerment Symposium



By: Lauren Patrick

The Youth Empowerment Symposium: aims to unite local organizations and provide students with a platform to be heard, inspired by Lauren’s work with youth and her experience as a school shooting survivor.

Activate the Advocate



By: Summa Slater

Activate The Advocate: is a two part series that consisted of a workshop where students can build advocacy skills and knowledge then utilize those skills during a visit to the Massachusetts State.

Fords for Philly



By: Patrick Kelly

Fords for Philly: focuses on connecting students with local service projects and breaking campus isolation. The monthly events engaged over a hundred people and boosted awareness of community service on campus.

Establishing a Chronic Pain Training Program for Rural Mississippi Health



By: Elijah Mudryk

Growing Pains: Chronic pain therapy program developed for underserved rural Mississippi. Included student training, doctor referral network, and telehealth delivery of free therapy. 

Mindful Minds



By: Ariana Cabrera

Eight-week trauma-informed program for five children at Oakley Square Apartments. Used cognitive-behavioral workbook and one-on-one mentoring to improve coping, emotional regulation, and self-talk. Focus on supporting children after community violence.

The Sunshine Project



By: Lauren Parker

Sunshine Project: helped the Sunshine Fund Cat Rescue by providing supplies and hosting a webinar to raise awareness about Houston’s stray animal crisis. The project supported medical and operational needs and encouraged community involvement.

Future Eco-Crafters



By: Stephanie Jimenez

Future Eco-Crafters: is a 3-day kids’ program teaching sustainability and recycling. Despite challenges, it engaged kids in learning and dreaming about the environment. It plans to expand and become an annual event.

Mental Health Policy Action Summit



By: Nicholas Fryer

Mental Health Police Action Summit: The panel raised awareness that mental health is a nonpartisan issue, reaching about 50 people. The goal is to keep advocating and donate materials to rural centers.

The Story We Sew



By: Carter Watts

The Story We Sew: The initial goal of this project was to build bridges of connection with among participants, addressing feelings of isolation, division, and polarization. Through writing, art, and sharing stories

The power of Youth Voices



By: Emilia Toth

The power of Youth Voices: Maine Students Vote is a network of student and adults that are focused on increasing election engagement and civic participation on college campuses and high schools in Maine. We support campuses and schools in developing voter education materials, organizational action planning, training and mentoring civic leaders, and coordinating get-out-the-vote efforts. We have been on the ground since 2015, and work collaboratively with other national and local youth voting organizations.