Students recognized for commitment to solving public problems
Taylor Brewer, Newman Civic Fellow
Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has named the student civic leaders from 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico who will make up the 2026-2027 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Taylor Brewer, a student at the University of Central Arkansas and native of Jonesboro, was named as a member of the cohort.
The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program that recognizes students who stand out for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities. The fellowship is named for the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders, who was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education. In the spirit of Newman’s leadership, each fellow is nominated by their campus president or chancellor, who is invited to select one exemplary community-committed student from their campus each year.
Brewer, a junior history major in the UCA Schedler Honors College, is a student leader addressing inequality by preserving untold stories within the historical narrative of the South. As a member of the Justice and Equity Honors Network and a community-engaged research team for the Arkansas Chinese Heritage Project, he is documenting the disappearing history of Chinese American grocery stores in Arkansas. Brewer has worked to increase global awareness and understanding through his participation in Model United Nations and his contributions to the ASIANetwork organization and programming in Arkansas. After graduation, he seeks to continue effecting positive change in his communities through a career practicing law and contributing to policymaking in Arkansas.
“Taylor is a community-minded student who has demonstrated his passion for bringing global learning and engagement to the public through his leadership,” UCA President Houston Davis said. “During his time at UCA, Taylor has worked to increase access to learning opportunities for his fellow students through grant-writing workshops and LSAT study sessions, as well as to support campus and local communities through educational and cultural events.”
Brewer was selected through a campus-wide nomination process during which faculty, staff and students were asked to submit nominations. All nominees were invited to submit additional application materials for consideration by the selection committee.
Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides these students with learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture their development as civic leaders. Programming emphasizes personal, professional, and civic growth that can empower them to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change.
The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over three days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund community projects, scholarships and post-graduate opportunities.
“This group of exceptional students from campuses across the country is such a welcomed addition to the Newman Civic Fellowship,” Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur said. “Now more than ever, it is an honor to recognize student leaders who are applying themselves as changemakers and creating positive impact in their communities.
“This is just the start of their lifelong journeys as Newman Civic Fellows, and I couldn’t be more excited to watch them continue to grow and pursue their passions.”