Biology major and Posse Scholar Caitlyn Caya ’27 is among the student civic leaders selected for the Newman Civic Fellowship, awarded by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education.
Fellows are nominated by their school’s president based on their potential for public leadership and their commitment to their communities.
At Bryn Mawr, Caya has participated in the Dialogue Project and served as Community Diversity Assistant at the Impact Center for Community, Equity, and Understanding. She is president of the Filipino Student Association and secretary for District 5 of the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue, covering Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware.
“I am motivated by the belief that belonging must be actively created, and I hope to continue this work by both building inclusive spaces and preserving the histories of multicultural communities that have shaped campus life,” wrote Caya in her personal statement for the fellowship.
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. The fellowship is named for the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders, who was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education. In the spirit of Newman’s leadership, each fellow is nominated by their campus president or chancellor, who is invited to select one exemplary community-committed student from their campus each year.
“Through dialogue and collective action, Caitlyn demonstrates her commitment to creating a campus community that is affirming and welcoming to everyone,” wrote Bryn Mawr President Wendy Cadge in nominating Caya.
Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students 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 community projects, scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.
