Political Science, Sociology Major Named Newman Civic Fellow

Yesika Sorto Andino, a junior political science and sociology major from Charlotte, is among the 262 students selected for Campus Compact’s 2019-20 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.

Campus Compact is a Boston-based nonprofit organization that is working to advance the public purposes of higher education. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year experience that emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth for student leaders who demonstrate an interest in solving public problems.

Andino is a Levine Scholar who has volunteered with organizations providing educational, health, legal and financial resources to immigrant and refugee populations, such as the International House and Latin American Coalition.

“My time at ourBRIDGE For Kids, an after-school program providing educational and socio-emotional support for refugee and immigrant students, has increased my desire to work with ELLs (English Language Learners) in the future,” said Andino in nomination materials. “Currently, alongside a professor, I’m evaluating the impact ourBRIDGE has had on the students and the greater community by analyzing teaching strategies and curriculum development through ethnographic research.”

UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois noted, “She (Andino) has worked tirelessly with children and adults who have arrived in Charlotte as immigrants and refugees. In addition to working through established agencies to provide translation, tutoring and college application assistance, she has helped bring high school students to our campus and created new student organizations for Latinx 49ers.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship is named for Campus Compact co-founder Frank Newman. Fellows receive access to a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides recipients with access to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of 1,000-plus colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. The organization supports institutions in fulfilling their public purposes by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.