Liz Schmitt was named a 2013 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. This title was awarded to 181 student leaders nationwide who invest in solving the challenges that face their communities. Nominated for the award by Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., Schmitt has used her college experience to better understand the causes of social issues while finding ways to create lasting changes in society.

Schmitt, a native of Merriam, Kan., is passionate about the power of privilege and its affect on local, national and global communities. In her social work field placement at a facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, Schmitt led a women’s empowerment group that views the women as experts of their own lives and allows participants to learn from one another.

Most of Schmitt’s community work focused on providing the underprivileged with a voice. Her commitment to group-centered leadership and her contributions to the less fortunate will allow Schmitt to continue creating positive change in the future as a social worker or community organizer.

Newman Civic Fellow awards are made in memory of Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform.