Purdue University Northwest student Erin Provenzano, of the North Central campus, has been selected as a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors student leaders committed to creating lasting change in communities throughout the country.
The North Central campus has a succession of students honored as Newman Civic Fellows in recently years, including Victoria DeMan in 2015, Matthew Migliorni in 2014, Greg Mohlke in 2013, Katheryn “Katie” Hines in 2012 and Amy Boren, in 2011.
Through service, research, and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education plays in building a better world. The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation. Campus Compact is a leader in building community engagement into campus and academic life by preparing students for lives of engaged citizenship and by building partnerships to advance community and public goals.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Provenzano, who is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. “In my mind, I am just doing what needs to be done to make positive impacts and changes in our community one person, one project at a time. I look forward to continuing to be involved in my community and serving others.”
She explained that while she has a degree in Social Work and enjoys the field, she discovered several years ago how well suited she was for a career as an educator. A mother of four, Provenzano volunteered with her church and community organizations, bringing her into contact with young children, and she soon discovered how much she enjoyed being an educator. Once her twins started kindergarten, she knew the time was right to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education and she enrolled in class at the North Central campus.
On campus Provenzano’s activities include being the membership chair of the Teachers Networking with Teachers group, qualifying for membership in the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and serving as a Service Learning Mentor to students in an Early Childhood Education course, providing coaching and leadership for first-year students.
Off-campus, she serves on her church’s Congregation Council and is a Sunday School teacher and coordinator of infant through 3-year-old children’s program. She is the Parent Teacher League vice-president and assists with One for Everyone, a local organization dedicated to creating accessible playgrounds for other-abled children.
She also volunteers with Compass International, mentoring immigrant families to ensure that all children have a strong support system. To fully reinforce the young children’s English language learning, Provenzano collaborated fellow Early Childhood Education students and the Compass International Family Center in Valparaiso to develop and create “literacy backpacks.” These backpacks, funded with an external grant, include bilingual picture books, games, puppets and resources for families.
“I look forward to the opportunity to teach young minds,” she said. “I am very passionate about education and the impact that teachers can have on the lives of children. I have always been interested in policy and curriculum and hope to pursue a Master's degree in Education focusing on these areas.”
She anticipates earning her degree in May, 2017. She has her sights set on earning a Master's degree.
“I have considered working at the college level at some point in conjunction with teaching in an Early Childhood Education classroom,” she said. “I have also considered potentially creating my own preschool program.”
With being named a Newman Civic Fellow came the opportunity to present at the Campus Compact Service Engagement Summit. Her topic highlights a grant that funded her literacy project with Compass International Family Center.
Newman Civic Fellow awards are made in memory of Dr. Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform. At the core of Newman’s leadership was a belief in the power of individuals to make a difference and in the power of connection with others. Frank Newman had a tremendous impact on American education and its role in the development of citizens who want to make a difference.
The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the support of the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.