Joshua Fess of Fairport Named 2018 Newman Civic Fellow

2018 Mar 5

Nazareth is proud to announce that sophomore Joshua Fess, History and Inclusive Adolescent Education major, has been selected for a 2018 Newman Civic Fellowship. His consistent dedication to service by addressing issues of global poverty and access to quality education have helped him stand out among countless 2018 applicants. Fess joins 268 students nationwide who make up the Campus Compact 2018 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Campus Compact is a Boston-based non-profit group working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

"Joshua Fess is a leader active in addressing issues of global poverty and access to quality education," says Nazareth President Daan Braveman, "I am inspired by Joshua's extraordinary efforts to address these issues and for his commitment to work against discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry and local, national, and global levels."

The Newman Civic Fellowship, named for Campus Compact co-founder Frank Newman, is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with access to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

Fess' passion for service began in high school where he started a club to raise awareness and funds to create a veteran's memorial in a local cemetery as part of his Boy Scout Eagle project. He chose to attend Nazareth because of the award-winning community service projects the College has received. Since his first weeks on campus, he's been a part of Nazareth's Center for Civic Engagement and has been consistently involved in the College's civic engagement activities.

Fess is a part of the Partners for Serving (PFS) program that offers students an array of partnerships with human service agencies in the surrounding area. He holds a leadership position in the PFS program, as the site coordinator for the Study Buddy program where he tutors primary school children from the Rochester City School District. His passion for youth education is also shown through Nazareth's Alternative Break program where he serves in a leadership role on the executive board. He also organizes and promotes week-long service trips that allow Nazareth students to engage in national and international service. As part of this program, Fess has helped lead trips to Nicaragua and Ethiopia that focused on youth development and poverty.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of 1000+ colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. Campus Compact supports institutions in fulfilling their public purposes by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.