Student Bryan Gonzalez-Mejia Named Newman Civic Fellow

newman fellow

Student Bryan Gonzalez-Mejia displays his Newman Civic Fellowship certificate, with, from left, Associate Provost Carra Hood, Director of Service Learning Daniel Tome, President Harvey Kesselman, Executive Director of the Stockton Center for Service Learning Merydawilda Colon, and Provost Lori Vermeulen

Galloway, N.J. 鈥 Bryan Gonzalez-Mejia of Ewing, a junior political science major at 91视频, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact in recognition of his work on campus promoting civic engagement and community involvement.

President Harvey Kesselman presented Gonzalez-Mejia with a framed copy of the award certificate, which states: 鈥滻n recognition of your civic leadership and your dedication to finding solutions for challenges in the communities where you live, serve and learn.鈥

newman fellowA graduate of Ewing High School, Gonzalez-Mejia is a Student Senator and has been active in Stockton鈥檚 Political Engagement Project and American Democracy Project, encouraging people to learn more about their legislators and register to vote.  As a member of the Model UN he is excited about the trip to China in November.

He is a tutor in Stockton鈥檚 Center for Community Engagement鈥檚 after-school homework project in Atlantic City and Pleasantville, assists with the naturalization classes offered by Stockton at the Carnegie Center in Atlantic City, and participates in afternoon tea programs are area retirement and assisted living homes.

鈥淚 really found myself and what I am interested in here at Stockton,鈥 Gonzalez-Mejia said. 鈥淚 want to empower my peers here at Stockton by showing them our voices matter and we need to be more involved.鈥

Gonzalez-Mejia plans to attend law school after graduation, and has applied to summer pre-law workshops this summer to help him prepare. He plans to specialize in Constitutional Law and said he may also run for public office in the future.

He thanked Kesselman, Service-Learning Director Daniel Tom茅, Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement Merydawilda Col贸n, professors Claire Abernathy, Jen Forrestal and Linda Wharton and others who have motivated and assisted him.

鈥淣one of this would have been possible without the leaders on this campus who encourage 91视频 like myself,鈥 he said.

Kesselman said Gonzalez-Mejia represents the best of Stockton.

鈥淚 was very honored to hear you were selected,鈥 Kesselman said. 鈥淭his validates what you do here, so keep on doing it.鈥

Tom茅, who nominated Gonzalez-Mejia, cited his extensive involvement with the American Democracy Project.

鈥淗e is the pinnacle of a Stockton civically engaged student,鈥 Tom茅 said.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,000 colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education and building democracy through civic education and community development.

As a Newman Fellow Gonzalez-Mejia will attend the 2018 Newman Civic Fellows National Conference on Nov. 17-18 in Boston and will have access to virtual learning opportunities throughout 2018-19. The Newman Civic Fellowship was created in honor of Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact鈥檚 founders, and is supported by KPMG Foundation and Newman鈥檚 Own Foundation.

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Contact: 
Diane D鈥橝mico
Director of News and Media Relations
Galloway, N.J. 08205
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609-652-4593