Carroll Community College Selects 2017 Newman Civic Fellow

From Carroll: Carroll Community College (Carroll) student Danielle Burnham has been selected by Campus Compact as a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow. The 2017 fellows represent member institutions in 39 states and Washington D.C.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of 1,000 colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact enables campuses to develop students citizenship skills and to forge effective community partnerships. Burnham is one of 273 students around the United States who make up the 2017 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. The fellowship is for one-year. These nominees are individuals who have demonstrated the willingness to find solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country and abroad. The fellowship honors the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders and a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education.

“Danielle’s major, Early Childhood Education, is emblematic of who she is as an individual and a citizen. It demonstrates her love for learning, her passion for education, and her mission to help the children of today become the leaders of tomorrow,” said College President Dr. James D. Ball.

“Danielle has helped organize many campus and community-wide events including the "Annual Penguin Random House Book Fair", the "Little Free Libraries March and our statewide Childcare Training Day that teaches Maryland educators best practices to promote excellence in childcare.

“Her love for children and education does not end at the Carroll County border, either. She recently collaborated with the local non-profit organization -- A is for Africa-- on a project that sends shoes to Africa for students in need. Thanks to Danielle's leadership and organizational skills, the project yielded over 300 bags of shoes for children in Tanzania. Her passion for learning, leadership and making a difference in the lives of others has significantly impacted Carroll Community College, our local community and the global community,” said Ball.

“Danielle embodies the heart and mind of an educator. She exhibits the practices and behaviors we instill at Carroll Community College in our teacher education majors to prepare them to lead and teach in a changing, globally influenced world. Danielle is an exemplary Newman Civic Fellow.

Everyone at Carroll is very proud of her accomplishments and we look forward to watching her advance in her chosen field of Early Childhood Education,” said Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Rosalie Mince.

“She is a leader with the heart of a servant as demonstrated in her role as the Early Childhood Education Club president and community member,” said Susan Sies, professor and Division Chairperson, Education, Transitional Studies and Academic Services. “Danielle balances her job, academic coursework and co-curricular activities in an exemplary manner. Instructor Carole

Williamson has mentored Danielle and assisted her in writing a Newman grant for the Children's Book March in April. Danielle is truly exemplary!”

Danielle is the third Education Department student to be recognized as a Newman Civic Fellow. Others include Alfredo Ramos Reyes and Joy Zimmerman.

The 2017 Newman Civic Fellows will be the first cohort to benefit from a completely re-designed fellowship experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides pathways to exclusive scholarship and post- graduate opportunities.

“The cultivation of community-committed leaders has never been more crucial,” said Campus Compact president Andrew Seligsohn. “We rebuilt the Newman Civic Fellowship experience because our country needs more people who know how to bring communities together for positive change. We are thrilled to welcome this group of 273 exemplary students as the first cohort to participate in this new model.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship is supported by the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.

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