Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has named nursing major Macie Robinson, Wittenberg class of 2026, as one of this year’s student civic leaders. Robinson joins fellow recipients from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico in comprising the 2025-26 Newman Civic Fellows, a yearlong program that recognizes and supports students who have demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities.
Fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, who are invited to select one exemplary community-committed student from their campus each year. Newman Felows are named in honor of Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders.
“The opportunity this fellowship has given me to connect with peers who are passionate about social change has been one of my favorite parts of the experience,” said Robinson, from Bellefontaine, Ohio, who is a civic engagement coordinator, as well as a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority at Wittenberg. “Hearing about the different levels of advocacy, community work, policy, and change was eye-opening and deeply inspiring. My own interests and experiences make me unique, but I love learning about others’ niche passions and the creative ways they approach their work. No matter the type of impact each person is making, it reminded me that meaningful change takes many forms—and that we’re all contributing to a larger movement for equity and justice.”
In her personal statement, Robinson mentioned how working at the local hospital has opened her eyes to the growing lack of healthcare that is needed by numerous families across the country.
“Being a nursing student in Springfield, Ohio, has shown me firsthand the health disparities within the community,” she said. “Working in the local Springfield Regional Hospital Labor and Delivery unit has opened my eyes to the lack of healthcare many families receive for one reason or another. Many families lack support with finances and transportation, and experience cultural barriers that impact their ability to obtain healthcare. Through my work with Second Harvest Food Bank and Springfield Regional Hospital Labor and Delivery, I have worked toward addressing social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and language barriers. I am working to address these health insecurities and access for all in our community.”
Her work outside the classroom has also helped her decide her future goals.
“In the long term, I hope to use the experiences I gain through this fellowship to make a lasting difference in my community and in global healthcare,” Robinson said. “One of my ultimate goals is to travel abroad to developing countries, where I can work on treating waterborne illnesses, distributing vaccines, and providing essential medical care. This fellowship has affirmed my commitment to continue working toward social impact and has expanded my perspective on what community leadership can look like. I’m deeply grateful for the connections, inspiration, and confidence it has given me to keep pushing for positive change.”
According to its website, through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture their development as civic leaders. Programming emphasizes personal, professional, and civic growth that can empower them to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the annual convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive, in-person skill-building and networking over three days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund scholarships and post-graduate opportunities.
"It is an honor to welcome this group of accomplished and dedicated students to the Newman Civic Fellowship," said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. "As higher education faces unprecedented challenges, these students exemplify the power and possibility of civic and community engagement on campus. As they emerge as the leaders of tomorrow, we are proud that this fellowship will be part of their story. From a variety of institutions and with diverse backgrounds and experiences, these Fellows represent a bright future for public problem solving."
Nominated by Wittenberg President Michael L. Frandsen prior to his retirement in late June 2025, Robinson is one of the first students to complete coursework in Wittenberg’s Health Humanities program. In his nominating statement, Frandsen said that Robinson “is dedicated to a true liberal arts approach to health and well-being by working to combine her skills as a nursing student with a community-centered approach grounded in the humanities and social sciences. Macie has developed a keen interest in working with people to examine more than their physical health, including the health disparities that exist more broadly and what society can do about them.”
About Campus Compact:
Campus Compact empowers colleges and universities to advance their academic and civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. Campus Compact is a national nonprofit organization - the largest and oldest higher education association dedicated to higher education civic and community engagement. Our college and university members make up a force of thousands of presidents, faculty, researchers, students, and civic and community engagement experts at colleges and universities. The Newman Civic Fellowship serves as an anchor program for Campus Compact’s expanded body of student-facing work. Campus Compact seeks to directly support student leadership both within and outside of the Newman Civic Fellowship, building capacity for student-led change and collective impact nationwide. Learn more about the fellowship at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship or visit www.compact.org.
