Campus News

Great Falls College student honored as Newman Civic Fellow

Jensa Baumgartner was named Great Falls College's Newman Civic Fellow.

Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has named 173 student civic leaders who will make up the organization’s 2022-2023 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Jensa Baumgartner, a student at Great Falls College, will join students from 38 states, Washington, D.C. and Mexico to form the cohort.

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, who was a tireless advocate for civic engagement in higher education. In the spirit of Dr. Newman’s leadership, fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, who are invited to select one outstanding student from their campus each year.

 Baumgartner started at Great Falls College in Connections 101, which assists students in becoming college or career ready. She is preparing to graduate from Great Falls College MSU in the summer after freeing herself from addiction and domestic violence. Baumgartner has been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the campus honor society. She is active in jail ministry, where she is described as faithful. She balances her academic and service life while caring for her blended family.

“Jensa was initially shy when coming to Great Falls College, but she quickly became a leader in assisting classmates both academically and in their personal lives,” said Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO/dean of Great Falls College.

After graduating with an associate of science degree, Baumgartner plans to continue her studies in the University of Montana’s social work program and hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree to best enable her to help others who struggle with addiction and other problems.

“We are so proud of Jensa and all that she has accomplished at Great Falls College and can’t wait to see her continue to flourish and help make the world around her a little bit better,” Erdmann said.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact will provide these 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.

 “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.”

 The Newman Civic Fellowship program is supported by the KPMG Foundation. Learn more at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship. You can read more about each of the student leaders selected for this year’s cohort at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship/the-2022-2023-newman-civic-fellows.