Raven Wade, a business major at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), was recently selected as a 2020-21 Newman Civic Fellow- one of only 290 students nationwide chosen for this prestigious honor.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program for students from Campus Compact member institutions. Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors nominate one student from their institution for the fellowship.

“I am very humbled and honored to be named a Newman Civic Fellow,†said Wade. “Homelessness and criminal justice reform are very important to me, and I am happy to see these topics get recognition and publicity through this award.â€

Wade grew up in Oklahoma City with her mother and two sisters. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Students Connecting with Mentors for Success, Kappa Beta Delta business honor society, TRIO, and works in the college library as a Technical Services Specialist.

“I hope to use the resources made available through this fellowship to help Oklahoma citizens, and showcase the sense of connectedness that OCCC fosters,†said Wade.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with a variety of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth. Fellows are invited to a national, in-person conference of Newman Civic Fellows and participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

“My gratitude for my peers and the organizations I am apart of knows no bounds,†said Wade. “It takes a village to change a community and OCCC has continued to equip me with the skills needed, and has offered me guidance and help along the way.â€

Campus Compact is a Boston-based nonprofit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education. The Newman Civic Fellowship is supported by the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation. Learn more at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship.