Attending the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows was a truly empowering and meaningful experience that expanded how I think about civic leadership and social change. From the moment I arrived, I felt surrounded by student leaders who are driven to strengthen their communities and reimagine what a better world can look like. The keynotes, panel, and workshops throughout the convening gave me not only inspiration but also real strategies for taking action and creating impact.
A major highlight for me was the range of sessions centered on women’s rights, education access, intergenerational collaboration and more. I especially appreciated that several workshops were led by Newman Civic Fellows. Hearing directly from peers making change on their campuses made everything feel more real and achievable. Those student-led spaces encouraged honest conversations, collaboration, and new connections, reminding me that progress happens when we learn from and support one another.
Beyond the structured and formal sessions, community bonding moments like the mocktail hour and river cruise gave us time to build friendships, network, and reflect together. I left the convening feeling empowered, supported, and excited for the year ahead, as well as more confident in my ability to contribute to meaningful change as a Newman Civic Fellow.
written by Ella French, TOUR Lead Tutor