Newman Civic Fellowship

Mercedes Reyes, a dedicated student at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, exemplifies remarkable leadership qualities and a strong commitment to civic engagement. With a profound dedication to addressing pressing societal issues, particularly gun violence, Mercedes has emerged as a passionate advocate for social change. Her involvement in initiatives such as the Civic Scholars Leadership Program, an internship with Everytown for Gun Safety, and the establishment of the Students Demand Action student organization highlights her proactive approach to advocacy. Mercedes's academic pursuits in Democracy and Justice Studies with a Social Justice emphasis and Political Science underscore her commitment to advancing social justice causes. Through her leadership, Mercedes exhibits readiness to expand her impact, forge connections with similar leaders nationwide, and continue to inspire and drive positive change in the future.

James Harris, a second year student at UW Green Bay, exemplifies the forward thinking and innovative learning we value, as well as the core principles and charge of the Newman Civic Fellowship program. Mr. Harris has a deep commitment to social change in our country. Through his own personal life experiences, he has developed a passion for advocating for empathy and learning over prejudice and hate. He has a strong belief that our country needs to focus on understanding to best heal our divisions and achieve long term social change in American institutions. As a result, Mr. Harris has intentionally focused his academic career on civic engagement and learning how to better involve himself and others to improve the community. Through his majors in Political Science and Democracy and Justice Studies, Mr. Harris plans to focus on ways in which we can address societal problems to prioritize people over profit. He has been active on our campus in the Civic Scholars Leadership program, in UWGB Student Government on the Environmental Affairs Committee, and as an intern for the City of Green Bay Mayor’s Office. We are very proud of Mr. Harris’s achievements as a UW Green Bay student!

community mentor: City of Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich

Zea Miller (she/they) is a second-generation student, double major in Environmental Policy and Planning and Political Science with a minor in Global Studies and will be graduating in spring 2023. Zea has a passion for environmental justice issues which started at a young age which has helped lead them to the academic and civic path they are on today. Zea has strong sense of connection to the Green Bay area and feels their passion for a healthy and safe living environment for all could be used to greatly improve our community. On campus, Zea is involved in the Environmental Affairs Committee of the Student Government Organization to provide our students a voice within our campus legislation, particularly when it comes to environmental issues. Zea strongly believes everyone deserves a chance to live in a clean and healthy environment, and they plan to help give people the power to make that a reality. Click here to learn more.

Community Mentor: Casey Hicks, Organizing Director, Wisconsin Conservation Voters

Hannah Beauchamp-Pope, a second year student at UW Green Bay, has a deep commitment to social change in our country. Through her own personal life experiences, she has developed a passion for advocating for empathy in mental health, prison systems and other human service entities. She has a strong belief that our country needs to focus on love of humanity to heal our divisions and achieve long term social change in American institutions. Ms. Beauchamp-Pope is active both on campus and in the community. She serves as the Vice President of the Black Student Union, and was instrumental in planning Black History Month activities and our community Kwanzaa Celebration. Hannah also works with a local homeless shelter and as a leader in creating a nonprofit organization to address social injustices in our country. Click here to learn more.

Community Mentor: Amy Olson Guillen, Bilingual School Psychologist, Diversity Leadership Advisor, Green Bay Area Public School District, Preble High School

Trenton Ebel, a junior at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, epitomizes the problem-focused, interdisciplinary learning our campus values, as well as the core principles and commitments of the Fellowship program, and will no doubt leave a lasting impression on this campus and community. Mr. Ebel is personally passionate about overcoming the bitter partisan divides in the United States. His interest in overcoming partisanship emerges in part from his background working in faith-based volunteering and non-profits, which also awakened a passion for racial justice. He’s worked in electoral politics and also as a mentor in the Green Bay Public Schools Upward Bound program. His combination of coursework, majors, and minors, in Spanish, German, as well as Democracy and Justice Studies offer a unique set of political and social skills, as does his commitment to the region of the Midwest.

Community Mentor: Bob Hornacek, Assistant Executive Director, Paul’s Pantry

Jordyn Gaurkee, a Democracy and Justice Studies major, is an involved advocate and leader on campus. Gaurkee is spearheading the development of a judicial advocate program at UW Green Bay as a result of her own personal experiences and her independent study titled ‘Advocacy and Title IX’. Her ultimate goal through this initiative is to help re-formulate campus sexual assault policy and procedures and be an advocate for victims of sexual assault. Gaurkee also founded a new sorority on campus focused on this and related issues and engaged in volunteer work with local domestic violence and food security shelters. Click here to read more.

Community Mentor: Holli Fisher, Program Director, Golden House