Student Chosen as Newman Civic Fellow

College and university presidents from 36 states plus the District of Columbia nominate student leaders representing the next generation of civic leaders

MESA, Arizona – From across the country, college and university presidents have nominated promising student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in their community to be Newman Civic Fellows. At Mesa Community College, Sean West has been selected by Campus Compact to be a 2015 Newman Civic Fellow.

Mesa Community College President Shouan Pan said, “Sean has engaged and excelled both academically and civically. He will continue to be persistent in his pursuit of higher learning as well as in the growth and development of his community.”

West, 23, Mesa, came from a life of challenging circumstances and has worked diligently to develop a higher quality of life for himself. His goal is to someday teach at a community college.

“I love the student engagement at MCC,” West said. “My experience with student leadership has been excellent and I want to continue to give back, educating and inspiring students.”

As a student leader, West served as the president of the Latter-day Saint Student Association and the vice-president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Omicron Beta Chapter. He organized fundraising events for the American Cancer Society and developed the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development series, assisting students in developing critical skills.

Additionally, West mentored and tutored local GED students and enlisted many college peers to do the same. He collaborated with community partners to educate the local population on supplemental PTSD support services and assisted in developing financial literacy workshops, educating students and the community on components of effective financing.

The KPMG Foundation generously sponsors the Newman Civic Fellow award. Through service, research, and advocacy, Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

“These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building a better world,” noted Campus Compact Board member Richard Guarasci, president of Wagner College, New York. 

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Contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu

About Campus Compact

Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For more information about the organization and the award, visit http://www.compact.org.

About Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its high-quality educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning.  Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 200 degrees and certificates at its two campuses and additional locations.  Our diverse student body hails predominantly from the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, and international students from 50 countries enrich the learning experience.  Award-winning faculty dedicated to student success provide the education and training that empower MCC students to compete locally and globally.  Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 11 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu

The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Source Details

Publication Date: 
Tuesday, April 28, 2015