Tulane student honored as Newman Civic Fellow

Tulane University student Ron’Janiele “Nelly” Bruce, a political science, social policy and practice junior who is also minoring in English, has been selected as a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

Bruce is part of 290 students who will make up the organization’s 2021-2022 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.

The fellowship is a year-long program for students from Campus Compact member institutions. The students selected for the fellowship are leaders on their campuses who demonstrate a commitment to finding solutions for challenges facing communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Bruce has devoted her college years to creating lasting change for BIPOC and queer students who experience similar struggles to her and identify like her. On campus, Bruce utilizes her leadership positions to spread knowledge about the local organizations that are doing crucial work to promote equity and justice in the Greater New Orleans area. As part of her ongoing commitment, Bruce facilitates dialogues around issues of power, privilege and identity, and helps to train her fellow students to embark on a journey of ethical service with the community utilizing cultural humility.

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, Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors nominate student leaders from their campuses to be named Newman Civic Fellows.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides fellows with a variety of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional and civic growth. Each year, fellows participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide them with the skills and connections they need to create large-scale positive change. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Fellows, which offers intensive skill-building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

“We are proud to recognize these extraordinary student leaders and thrilled to engage with them,” said Campus Compact President Andrew Seligsohn. “The experience of the last year has driven home to all of us that we need open-minded, innovative, public-spirited thinkers and doers. That is what Campus Compact is about, and the stories of our Newman Civic Fellows demonstrate it's who they are.”