Billings, Montana – Kendall Stokes, a sophomore at Montana State University Billings, was just named a Newman Civic Fellow, joining a cohort that includes students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico. The 2023–2024 Newman Civic Fellows cohort of Campus Compact, a collaboration of colleges and universities aiming to advance the public goals of higher education, consists of 154 student civic leaders.
The Newman Civic Fellowship honors students who stand out for their dedication to bringing about constructive change in local and global communities. Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders and a devoted supporter of civic involvement in higher education, is honored by having the fellowship bear his name. Fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors who are invited to choose one exceptional student from their campus each year in the spirit of Newman’s leadership.
Chancellor Stefani Hicswa shares that Stokes’ leadership and engagement has been exemplary: “She engages other students in addressing community needs important to them and in her short time at MSUB, she has already started a major service club from scratch, participated in campus service programs, and engaged with the on-campus community. Her passion for community is clear.”
Stokes has made it clear how important education is to her and how driven she is to become an elementary school teacher. She said that one of the reasons she is so interested in community leadership is because she wants to serve as an example for her future classmates to follow their passions when they grow up. She holds a position on the Montana District Board for Circle K International in addition to her academics and leadership of the Circle K club at MSUB. She works as a volunteer assistant swim coach at a nearby high school in her free time.
Stokes shares that her passion for service started in high school and continued in college. “With my previous and current experiences, I have found that the greater number of people you have helping you, the more you can do for a cause.” She continues by saying that she is majoring in elementary education because she wants to give back to her community and change the lives of youngsters.
For additional information, get in touch with Parker Scott at parker.scott2@msubillings.edu.
