Student Named Newman Civic Fellow by National Coalition

A Millersville University student has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education. Catherine Samer, a junior from Allentown, Pa., is among the student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico who will make up the 2025-2026 cohort of Fellows.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program that recognizes students who stand out for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities. Fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, who are invited to select one exemplary community-committed student from their campus each year. The fellowship is named in honor of Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact's founders, who was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education.

Through the fellowship, students are provided with learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture their development as civic leaders. Programming emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth that can empower them to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change.

The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over three days. The Fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund scholarships and post-graduate opportunities.

"Catherine possesses the intellect, motivation and potential to develop innovative and collaborative strategies to address public problems," says Millersville University President Daniel A. Wubah. "She is an exceptional individual decided to community service and social justice."

Samer is double majoring in psychology and special education and is a member of the Millersville University Honors College. Her psychology honors thesis explores the relationship between childhood experiences and emerging-adult emotions. She is a student leader with Ambassadors for Hope, an organization that supports children with incarcerated parents, and a McNairy Library Research Fellow. She engages in collaborative research with the University's Center for Public Scholarship and Social Change and has served as a mentor to middle and high school students through the Mentoring Educators for Tomorrow program.

"My passion is to address inequality by advocating for the protection and well-being of children in marginalized communities, locally and globally," Samer says. "To achieve this goal, I work to provide children with the resources necessary to be children and create opportunities for myself and my community to learn through my research endeavors."

"It is an honor to welcome this group of accomplished and dedicated students to the Newman Civic Fellowship," said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. "As higher education faces unprecedented challenges, these students exemplify the power and possibility of civic and community engagement on campus. As they emerge as the leaders of tomorrow, we are proud that this fellowship will be part of their story. From a variety of institutions and with diverse backgrounds and experiences, these Fellows represent a bright future for public problem solving."