Newman Civic

Fort Hays State University student Grace McCord has been selected for the prestigious 2024-2025 Newman Civic Fellowship, a national program recognizing students who demonstrate a commitment to finding solutions for challenges facing communities across the country.

Majoring in Political Science with a Pre-Law emphasis, Grace’s passion for civic engagement is deeply rooted in the rich historical and cultural fabric of her Kansas upbringing. A dedicated student leader, she has held numerous leadership roles at FHSU, including Vice President of Academic Excellence for the Epsilon Mu Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, Vice President of Operations and Standards for FHSU’s Panhellenic Council, and Vice President of the university’s Pi Sigma Alpha chapter, the national political science honor society.

Beyond her academic and leadership achievements, Grace actively contributes to her community through volunteer work with organizations such as Save the Kids, a campus initiative supporting youth, and various community service events including a Quilting Ministry, Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine, Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat, and the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance Thanksgiving Meal.

Grace McCord exemplifies the spirit of civic leadership. Through her dedication, she continues to inspire positive change by building strong community connections and fostering meaningful dialogue. Her selection for the Newman Civic Fellowship reflects both her potential and her ongoing commitment to public service and social impact.

Fort Hays State University’s own Ella Burrows has been named a 2023 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national organization that honors student leaders who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. A sophomore majoring in political science with a pre-law emphasis, Ella is passionate about civic engagement, student advocacy, and public service.

Originally from the small town of Satanta, Kansas, Ella’s commitment to community development is rooted in her upbringing and the values instilled by her close-knit hometown. “Our town is so small, it is fighting to survive out in western Kansas,” she shares. “My whole path is to get people engaged—and eventually, I want to go into politics and create policies that support communities like mine.”

Ella's leadership on campus is both wide-ranging and impactful. She has served as a freshman senator and legislative affairs director within the Student Government Association and will begin her term as SGA president in the fall. She also plays key roles in the American Democracy Project, the Honors College, and the Law, Politics and Justice Living and Learning Community.

As a Newman Fellow, Ella will join a network of student leaders from across the country and Mexico to share ideas, develop leadership skills, and further her commitment to civic action. She will attend a national conference in Boston, where she’ll engage in hands-on workshops and discussions focused on social change.

Ella’s ultimate goal? To be a force for good especially for those often overlooked. “My community raised me to advocate fiercely for the least, the last, and the lost,” she says.

Cole Berry, a junior at Fort Hays State University majoring in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, has been selected as one of only 173 students nationwide to receive the prestigious Newman Civic Fellowship for the 2022–23 academic year. This honor is awarded by Campus Compact, a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civic engagement in higher education.

Originally from Garden City, Kansas, and currently calling Topeka home, Cole chose Fort Hays State University not only for its strong family ties—his father is an FHSU alumnus—but also for its leadership studies program, which he found to be deeply aligned with his passion for youth mentorship and ministry.

As a student leader, Cole is committed to addressing critical local and global issues, particularly those affecting children and families. He has dedicated his academic and extracurricular efforts to youth-focused service and mentorship. In fall 2021, he collaborated with a team of peers to develop and implement a leadership development curriculum at a local middle school. This initiative also included establishing meaningful mentoring relationships with the students.

Cole is actively involved in his community, serving in the Children’s Ministry at his local church and participating in the Christian Challenge Team at FHSU. His dedication to servant leadership and civic engagement led to his additional selection as a participant in the 2022-23 Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience (VALUE), where he is focusing on applying adaptive leadership to real-world challenges.

In his own words:

“Throughout my academic career so far, I have made sure to find churches and organizations where I can serve youth and be present in their lives. My hopes with pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership are that I will be better equipped to step into the world and lead others to address issues and make a difference in the lives of children and families.”

Caden Frank, a graduate student at Fort Hays State University, was named one of 212 students nationwide to receive the 2021–2022 Newman Civic Fellowship, awarded by Campus Compact. This prestigious honor recognizes student leaders who are committed to finding sustainable solutions to pressing social, political, and economic challenges.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Frank first came to FHSU in 2017 on a soccer scholarship, initially intending to pursue pre-engineering. However, after enrolling in a single course in Leadership Studies, he found a new direction. That pivotal moment led him to change his major to Organizational Leadership, sparking a deeper passion for civic engagement, non-profit work, and leadership development.

Caden graduated in December 2020 with his bachelor’s degree and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Higher Education and Student Affairs. In addition to his studies, he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant under the mentorship of Dr. Donnette Noble, Director of Civic Learning and Engagement.

His journey through leadership began with his selection to the Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience (VALUE) program, where he focused on civic and non-profit leadership. His work has extended beyond campus, engaging with local nonprofits, particularly in the areas of mental health and intentional dialogue. Caden believes this connection is at the core of all he does, both personally and professionally. In a society increasingly polarized politically, economically, and socially, choosing to understand another person, to focus on common ground, and to view differences as sources of energy rather than conflict is the first step toward unity.

His commitment to deep, meaningful human connection is central to his leadership philosophy:

“Making the conscious choice to understand the deepest parts of a person and their individual complexities breaks down barriers between people and reveals commonalities that can be used as fuel toward mutually beneficial solutions to problems that exist currently in the United States.”

As he looks to the future, Caden remains committed to empowering others by invest in the next generation of people and help them become change-makers. He believes this fellowship will give him valuable insight into how peers address challenges at their institutions, help him become a more effective change agent in Hays and beyond.