Vermont Campus Compact

Please join VCC in congratulating two Vermont college students who have gained national recognition as recipients of the Newman Civic Fellows Awards. The Newman Civic Fellows Awards, given by National Campus Compact, recognize inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country.

2012 Fellows

Meiko Lunetta, Green Mountain College
Through community service, energy reduction and environmental education, Meiko Lunetta, a junior at Green Mountain College, sees the importance of combining multiple aspects of sustainability into her life. In the summer of 2011 Meiko co-led a six-week summer program on GMC's farm called "Farmin' Fun" which taught children of all ages from the local communities about the importance of sustainable and local agriculture. In addition to successfully running an educational program she also worked in the Office of Student Life and worked with the Director of Student Involvement to develop, coordinate, and run sustainability events for new student orientation.

Tyler Morton, Southern Vermont College
When there is a volunteer event on Southern Vermont College’s campus, Tyler Morton is at the center of it. Tyler helped to found MooseCorps, SVC’s community service club and has been an integral part of SVC's annual Blood Drives and Days of Service. He has participated in the Alternative Spring Break service trip each year and this year he took on a leadership position as an intern with the Community Service office, and has been instrumental in planning the trip. Not only has Tyler taken two plunges during the Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics Vermont, but he also participates in the Polar Bear Plunge, a similar fundraiser in his hometown.

2011 Fellows

Sean Moore, a junior at Southern Vermont College, is a student leader with a commitment to mentoring others. Sean began as a mentor, training student-athletes in his home town. Sean is now actively involved in our Pipeline into Partnership program, designed to ensure that vulnerable students get to and through college. Sean leads by example encouraging success both academically and personally with each student accepted into the program and is dedicated to their success. Sean has recently been promoted to Lead Mentor and will now help select, train and guide other college students to be mentors in the program.

Stephanie Terry, a junior Social Work major at Castleton State College, Vermont, is a respected student leader who has embodied the best values of citizenship, leadership, and commitment to civic engagement. Stephanie is the new President of the Student Government Association. She is actively engaged with the college and the wider community and has truly made a difference for many people, particularly in her leadership roles with the Community Service Club, the One in Ten group, the Castleton Elementary and Fair Haven Grade School Mentoring Programs, the Summer Transition Program, Upward Bound, Meals on Wheels, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and a host of other worthwhile endeavors.

John Kleinhans, a junior at Lyndon State College, has become deeply involved in the local community over the past three years. Aside from serving as Student Body President, Kleinhans is also a member of the Lyndonville Developmental Review Board. He has also served as campaign manager for two statewide political campaigns. He is committed in the local community and is an advocate for responsible business growth. Kleinhans is considering a run for state representative in 2012.

Katie Emerson is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability. She serves as the co-director of Green Mountain College’s Student Campus Greening Fund, a highly visible student organization that directs the spending of nearly $40,000 per year toward campus sustainability projects. She is also a member of Green Mountain College’s Campus Sustainability Council, comprised of students, faculty, staff and administrators who direct the campus’s activities related to social, economic and environmental sustainability—central to the college’s mission. In the community, Katie is involved in a variety of service activities, including the creation of a local food cooperative.

Katherine Hackett, a senior at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, is a community advocate and a community builder. For four years, Katherine worked locally with Best Buddies, an international organization creating integrated opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While studying abroad in Ecuador, Katherine worked with students with cognitive and physical disabilities. Through direct interaction, and as a fundraiser and advocate, she’s offered education and awareness to the wider community, insisting on respect and dignity for all.

ABOUT THE NEWMAN CIVIC FELLOWS AWARDS

Dr. Frank Newman—one of the founders 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. He dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform and he would have been inspired by this first group of 135 Newman Civic Fellows, named by Campus Compact. They are, quite simply, reflections and affirmations of his life’s work.

From 30 states, college and university presidents have nominated the best-of-the-best: promising college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research, and advocacy, these 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.

Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community engagement, Vermont colleges are developing students’ critical public problem-solving skills such as the ability to research and analyze community needs, a willingness to lead and participate in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about community challenges, and the ability to inspire people to become part of solutions.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents—representing some 6 million students—who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. Vermont Campus Compact is one of 35 state affiliates of Campus Compact. Through the Newman Civic Fellows Awards, college and university presidents acknowledge students with the ability and motivation to create lasting change in our communities. For more information about the Newman Civic Fellows, visit www.compact.org .