Recognized for being an exemplary student dedicated to community service, Environmental Biology major Chloe Gallegos ’21 is a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow. She is the sixth TLU student since 2014 to receive this prestigious honor and one of less than 300 students nationwide recognized in 2020.

Awarded by Campus Compact—a national coalition of nearly 1,000 colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education—the Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. Fellows are nominated by their university president on the basis of their potential for public leadership.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with training and resources that nurture their assets and passions and help them develop strategies for social change. The yearlong program, named for Campus Compact founder Frank Newman, includes virtual learning opportunities and networking as part of a national network of engaged student leaders and an optional in-person convening.

Newman Civic Fellows are an inspiring group of students who are already making an impact in communities where they live, learn, and serve. The political science and philosophy double major will have opportunity to join a national network of peers and former Civic Fellows during the year-long fellowship.

“Chloe is a student-leader who’s passionate about environmental justice and poverty eradication,” said TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. “Throughout the past year, Chloe has worked alongside National Church Residences at Eden Cross senior residence community, which serves TLU’s surrounding community of Seguin. In addition to recruiting and facilitating volunteer opportunities for TLU students with Eden Cross, Chloe has helped to maintain the university’s long-standing relationship with this community organization. She is currently working to grow curricular partnerships with Eden Cross and the TLU music and nursing departments to meet ongoing needs they have for their senior residents.”

Gallegos says she was always taught to give back to her help those in need and her work with the TLU Center For Servant Leadership allows her to connect her peers with local people in need of social interaction and resources.

“Environmental justice begins with people having their basic human needs met, and my collaborative approach with supporting older residents in the community with Eden Cross allows me to directly address this social problem in our local community,” she said. “Helping others has never felt like a job or an inconvenience; it’s something I love to do and will always do. Every human deserves respect and dignity. Every act of kindness starts a wildfire of love and humanity. At TLU, I get to help spark others’ passion for service and community change.”

TLU Director of the Center For Servant Leadership Morgan Klaser says Gallegos’ commitment to helping others is what being a Bulldog is all about.

“Chloe’s dedicated history of service with the community makes her a wonderful role model of servant leadership,” Klaser said. “Her recognition as TLU’s sixth Newman Civic Fellow is a testament to the university’s commitment to civic engagement and creating agents of change. I’m confident that Chloe will utilize her year of fellowship to continue her community involvement and gain skills to better society with her education. We are proud to have her recognized as a Newman Civic Fellow for 2020-2021.”