NWTC Service-Learning and Civic Engagement 2017-2018 | Page 26

E D U C AT I O N A L O U T R E A C H
EDUCATION, DIVERSITY
Newman Civic Fellow - Maria Ortega
Inspirational NWTC student named 2017
Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.
NWTC student
Maria R. Ortega,
a second-year
student in the
Administrative
Assistant
Associate Degree
program, was named
a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow by
Campus Compact: a national coalition
of more than 1,000 colleges and
universities dedicated to campus-
based civic engagement.
Maria was one of 273 community-
committed students named Newman
Civic Fellows in 2017. She served as a
student ambassador for the College;
and worked in the Educational
Foundation and Student Involvement
offices utilizing her administrative
skills to serve other students.
Outside of her formal studies, Maria
provided administrative support to a
25
local organization, Casa Alba Melanie,
serving the Hispanic Community in the
greater Green Bay area. Ortega’s work
included helping people find services
and translating when needed. “I saw a
lot of barriers that a lot of immigrants
have,” she said.
She also served as a mentor and
advocate for teenage mothers through
the Teenage Parent Program at a local
high school, volunteering two or three
times per year to talk with students. In
addition, Maria was a member of
the NWTC Hispanic Leadership Club
and promoted diversity as an asset
to the community.
Maria envisions a community of
inclusion, and considers herself
a living example that anyone can
succeed despite obstacles.
“From my experiences serving the
community my public speaking
skills have improved, as well as my
confidence. I aspire to one day share
my story of overcoming adversity in
front of thousands of people, and
I want to encourage others to get
involved in the community.”
The Newman Civic Fellows Awards
honors the late Frank Newman, one
of Campus Compact’s founders
and a tireless advocate for the civic
engagement of higher education.
The awards honor the achievements
of undergraduate and graduate
student leaders who have taken
action in pursuit of long-term social
change, and who engage and inspire
others in their communities through
service, research and advocacy.
The Newman Civic Fellows Awards
are made possible through the
generous support of the KPMG
Foundation and the Newman’s
Own Foundation.