News

MEDIA CONTACT

Margaret Sasser Knehans
margaret.sasser@andrewgoodman.org
(334) 451-5114

Campus Compact’s Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change 

Four Andrew Goodman Ambassadors are recipients of Campus Compact’s 2023 Newman Civic Fellowship. Ambassadors Alex Edgar (University of California – Berkeley), Caroline Leonard (University of Mississippi), Grant Pitts (University of Wisconsin – Parkside), and Zarah Vidriezca (University of La Verne) are among 154 student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to join the 2023 Cohort. 

Recipients demonstrate a commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world and must be nominated by Campus Compact member presidents or chancellors. The 2023 Cohort will participate in training and networking for their personal, professional, and civic growth, as well as the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows. 

“We are so proud of Alex, Caroline, Grant, and Zarah for this great recognition of their work and the opportunity to further their leadership and organizing as Newman Civic Fellows,” says Caroline Smith, The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s Director of Programs. “We are fortunate to witness their fierce commitment to community engagement every day, and are so excited to see where they take it next.” 

Learn more about the four Andrew Goodman Ambassadors selected as 2023 Newman Civic Fellows below:

Alex Edgar, University of California – Berkeley ‘25

A second-year student at the University of California – Berkeley, Alex Edgar is studying Political Science with a concentration in Political Behavior and minors in Public Policy, Education, and Political Economy. Passionate about inspiring his generation to become the most civically engaged generation in American history, Alex has secured an on-campus polling place, acquired grants for civic programming, and coordinated civic engagement efforts for 280,000 students across nine UC campuses. Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Stephen Sutton writes that Alex aims “to create a democracy and education systems that are more responsive to the will and needs of the American people.”

Caroline Leonard, University of Mississippi ‘24

A third-year student at the University of Mississippi, Caroline Leonard is studying International Studies and Arabic Language with a minor in Engineering. Desiring to enact change in her home community and country, Caroline supports voting and civic education through nonpartisan efforts on campus to solve barriers to voting and low voter turnout and to develop an education program focused on problem-solving and the legislative process. Chancellor Glenn Boyce writes that Caroline aims “to use her experiences and interests to collaborate with others to solve problems facing our communities, such as equity, environmental issues, public health issues, poverty, and literacy.”

Grant Pitts, University of Wisconsin – Parkside ‘25

A second-year student at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside and a first-generation, non-traditional college student, Grant Pitts is studying Sociology. Eager to learn and grow through collaboration, Grant is committed to social justice and democratic engagement. He took the lead on voter registration and voter education activities and mobilized his peers to turn out to vote in the 2022 Midterm Elections. Chancellor Deborah Ford writes that Grant “embraces the goal of helping other students, particularly those who are traditionally marginalized, access and practice their voting rights.” 

Zarah Vidriezca, University of La Verne ‘25

A second-year student at the University of La Verne and a first-generation college student, Zarah Vidriezca is studying Legal Studies. Believing in the fundamental right to a just and fair legal process, Zarah is committed to bettering her community through civic and community engagement, such as through the education campaigns she has developed on voting, reproductive rights, and gun control. President Devorah Lieberman writes that Zarah “embodies the spirit of La Verne’s core values as demonstrated through her efforts of civic and community engagement, diversity and inclusion, ethical reasoning and lifelong learning.”

About The Andrew Goodman Foundation

The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s mission is to make young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy by training the next generation of leaders, engaging young voters, and challenging restrictive voter suppression laws. The organization is named after Andrew Goodman, a Freedom Summer volunteer and champion of equality and voting rights who was murdered, alongside James Earl Chaney and Michael Schwerner, by the KKK in 1964 while registering Black Americans to vote in Mississippi. To learn more, visit www.andrewgoodman.org.

###