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University of South Carolina Beaufort Student Richard Bennett Selected as 2022 Newman Civic Fellow

Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has named 173 student civic leaders who will make up the organization's 2022-2023 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Richard Bennett, a junior majoring in Human Services at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, will join students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to form the cohort.

The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. 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 Dr. Newman's leadership, fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, who are invited to select one outstanding student from their campus each year.

Bennett, who is a first-generation college student, is a tireless advocate for children and under-resourced adults in his community. He has assisted with HIV/AIDS education, purchased and delivered holiday meals and care packages for the homeless, and volunteered in homeless shelters. Presently, he writes and publishes self-help books to help people be the best version of themselves, and facilitates community meetings to provide support and accountability. As a continuation of his work as a mentor for students at a local high school, he is developing and implementing a parenting program to help families with young people who are growing up in single-parent households.

"These students are facing many of the same challenges I faced as a young person. I have discovered my path of purpose," Bennett said.

USCB Chancellor Dr. Al Panu, who nominated Bennett for the Newman Fellowship, praised his initiative and resilience.

"Cloaked with the spirit of his great, great, great grandfather, a runaway slave who fought for the Union Army in the Civil War, Richard's stated purpose is to help as many people as possible as they fight for their freedom which may have been derailed by alcohol, drugs, poverty, or mental health conditions. He is committed to developing and implementing various community programs, including an inner-city parenting program. As a child who grew up in a similar environment, he can identify with the unique challenges that parents and children living in urban America face. He empowers students to take their education seriously, expressing the importance of graduating and having a plan for their lives, all while sharing the wisdom he has gained through his various life experiences, and empathizing with their struggles," Panu said.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact will provide these students with a year 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 scholarships and post-graduate opportunities.

"We are proud to name such an outstanding and diverse group of students Newman Civic Fellows," said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. "Their passion and resolve to take action on the wide range of issues challenging our neighborhoods and communities is inspiring and deeply needed. We cannot wait to engage with them through this transformative experience."

The Newman Civic Fellowship program is supported by the KPMG Foundation. Learn more at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship.