Millersville University (MU) senior Brynn Raub is a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow. It’s a national award given to hundreds of college students every year to recognize and advance their work in the community.
Raub is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education and was nominated for the award by President Daniel Wubah in May but took an unconventional path to receive the nomination.
One of Raub’s friends was the Newman Civic Fellow last year, which is how she initially learned about the award and ensuing program. Typically, a professor or faculty/staff advisor will nominate an interested student, and a final applicant will be selected by President Wubah.
“I wasn’t quite sure about how the nominating process worked, so I emailed President Wubah directly and essentially nominated myself,” Raub said, laughing.
A few days later, Raub received an email from Lori Leaman, programs and event coordinator for Civic and Community Engagement at MU. Raub, who is also a member of Millersville’s Walker Fellows and works with Leaman in the organization, thought she did something wrong.
“I walked into her office and Lori said to me, ‘I see you nominated yourself for the Newman Fellow,’” she said. “She told me that was very gutsy, but the president’s office was impressed.”
In nominating her, Wubah wrote, “Brynn is an exceptional young woman dedicated to community service and social justice, and a role model for engagement, not only at Millersville University but in the greater Lancaster County community. Brynn is an integral part of the University’s Color of Teaching program, a mentoring program for middle school and high school students. Brynn exemplifies excellent leadership skills and a true desire to promote the organization as well as the value of community service.”
The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year fellowship for college students who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing our communities. Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, named 273 students from around the country who make up the organization’s 2020 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.
Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with training and resources that nurture their assets and passions and help them develop strategies for social change. The yearlong program includes virtual learning opportunities and networking as part of a national organization of engaged student leaders and an optional in-person convention in November 2020, according to the organization’s website.
Along with Raub’s work with the Walker Fellows, she is a member in the Color of Teaching mentoring program, where college students serve as mentors to middle school and high school students interested in pursuing a career in education.
Additionally, Raub serves as an educational support coach on campus for students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in a post-secondary inclusive education program. As such, she provides support to students in the areas of personal well being, academics, social/belonging, and career exploration. As a coach, she uses her personal experiences as a Millersville student to support students with problem-solving, identifying available campus supports, providing guidance, and ensuring the students she supports are making the most of their college experience.
You can read more about Raub on the Campus Compact website.
One reply on “After Tireless Community Work, Raub Named Newman Civic Fellow”
Congratulations, Brynn! You continue to impress me with your passion for helping others and being a change agent.