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Quinsigamond student honored as Newman Civic Fellow

  • Posted by Colleges in 016 March 15, 2022 - Filed in News - #Quinsigamond Community College  #Thiago Zakaitis  - 1,996 views

    WORCESTER — Quinsigamond Community College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) student Thiago Zakaitis was named one of 173 student civic leaders nationwide who will make up the 2022-2023 group of Newman Civic Fellows. Mr. Zakaitis will join students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to form this elite student group.

    The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. The fellowship is named for the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education. Dr. Newman was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education. In the spirit of Dr. Newman’s leadership, each year Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors are invited to select one outstanding student for nomination from their college campuses.

    Mr. Zakaitis will soon earn his Associate Degree in Liberal Arts – History at QCC, and plans to transfer to Framingham State University and continue his education in history, in addition to minoring in secondary education. As a member of QCC’s PTK Honor Society, he has taken part in a variety of community service projects that include helping neighbors remove snow from their houses; assisting in church events such as a Brazilian June celebration, taking part in the Fourth Marlborough St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk, and helping build a college scarecrow to bring awareness to food insecurity.

    “When I am not studying or helping the community, I am working on my internship with FSU, where I am a teaching assistant for professors that teach dual-enrollment classes to high school students across Massachusetts,” Mr. Zakaitis said.

    Through the fellowship, Campus Compact will provide students with a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth. Each year, fellows participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide them with the skills and connections they need to create large-scale positive change. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Fellows, which offers intensive skill building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

    “I congratulate Thiago for earning this prestigious honor. His commitment to his community and helping others is an exemplary example of QCC’s student body,” said QCC President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D.

    “We are proud to name such an outstanding and diverse group of students Newman Civic Fellows,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “Their passion and resolve to take action on the wide range of issues challenging our neighborhoods and communities is inspiring and deeply needed. We cannot wait to engage with them through this transformative experience.”

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