Mercyhurst University junior Alicia Cagle has been named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2012 in recognition of her personal commitment to creating change for the better in her community.
Cagle, a communication major, is among 162 students from 32 states honored by Campus Compact, a national organization of 1,200 college and university presidents dedicated to fulfilling the civic and social responsibilities of higher education.
For the past two years, Cagle has been a dedicated Scholar in Service to Pennsylvania as a part-time AmeriCorps member. She has dedicated hundreds of hours of service to initiatives like a clothing drive for refugees, youth mentoring, a service trip to New Orleans, and programs for Mercyhurst Equality of Women and for veterans.
Students like Cagle represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders, according to Campus Compact Board Chair James B. Dworkin. “They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building a better world,” he added.
Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community engagement, colleges are developing students’ public problem-solving skills, such as the ability to analyze community needs, the willingness to participate in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about challenges, and the ability to inspire others to become part of solutions.
For more information about the organization and the award, visit www.compact.org.
