Jacob Stolberg ’25, a double major in secondary education and mathematics, has been named to the 2024-25 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education. He will join student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C. and Mexico.
The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program that recognizes students who stand out for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities. The fellowship is named for the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders, who was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education. In the spirit of Dr. Newman’s leadership, each fellow is nominated by their campus president or chancellor, who is invited to select one exemplary community-committed student from their campus each year.
Stolberg is engaged in the Student Government Association at Salve and serves as a peer mentor. He also mentors local Rhode Island high school students through his participation in Salve Regina’s Pathways program, focused on guiding first-generation students and their families to high school graduation and college enrollment. His dedication to community service dates back to his high school years — during which he served on the select board of his hometown of Leicester, Massachusetts, participated with the AmeriCorps Generation Teach program, and volunteered as an Eagle Scout. Stolberg believes educators play a critical role in inspiring the next generation to become active participants in their communities.
“Solving civic problems has to start with understanding the perspectives of others, and education is one of the best ways to bridge that gap,” he said. “But that’s just the first step. Action has to follow understanding to bring about real change. I find genuine joy in serving my community and will work to inspire that feeling in others, so they can enjoy being an active part of where they live.”
Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides student civic leaders with learning and networking opportunities that 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 this fall. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund community projects, scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.
Salve’s focus on community service was a key reason Stolberg opted to study here.
“Salve isn’t isolated,” Stolberg said. “There are so many opportunities to interact and explore, with business and the community. As an Education major, I had the chance to teach and observe students of different ages, which really opened my eyes to the range of demographics, even on this island. I’m looking forward to bringing what I experienced and learned here to the Newman networking workshops, and bring what I learn there, back here to Newport.”
Bobbie Laur, president of Campus Compact, is honored to recognize such an outstanding group of community-committed students.
“One of the best parts of the Newman Civic Fellowships is the richness of students’ perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds—and how these varied stories all led to their passionate engagement with the social, political, and environmental issues impacting our world,” Laur said. “These students will be the catalysts for change on many levels, and we are privileged to help empower them to create that change.”
