Program Will Train Elle Williams of La Plata to Solve Community Problems
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) student Elle Williams, 20, of La Plata has been selected to be a part of the Newman Civic Fellowship Program. She was nominated for the honor by CSM President Dr. Bradley Gottfried.
In a letter of recommendation to the program Gottfried said, “I have come to know Elle through her committed involvement with CSM’s Student Government Association, and she demonstrates strong and committed leadership to bring about positive change as she not only collaborates with her community college peers but she also engages within the larger community through her broad civic involvement.”
Participating in this program will allow Williams to work with likeminded students who are committed to improving community life and to educating students for civic and social responsibility. This fellowship is essentially a network of students that collaborate with one another and come up with solutions to issues that arise near them.
Williams graduated from Lackey High School and is a full-time student at CSM scheduled to graduate this spring with two associate degrees, in general studies and communication with a focus in public relations. She plans to continue her education at the University of Maryland College Park beginning this fall. Williams is keenly involved in CSM’s student association as the organization’s secretary. Her goal is to one day become a publicist promoting nonprofit organizations.
“Receiving this award is an immense honor and to me it affirms that dedicating time to help others can be rewarding in many ways. My work with my community has been altruistic; however, being awarded this fellowship is a blessing I graciously accept,” she said.
In addition to her studies, Williams volunteers with a number of organizations, as a student leader in her church, St. Catherine’s of Alexandria, and as a tutor with Charles County Literacy Council. She also volunteers at the USO at Joint Base Andrews.
The Newman Civic Fellowship Program is a national cohort of community-committed students. The fellowship is named for Frank Newman, one of the founders of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating opportunities for student civic learning. Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,000 college and university presidents — representing some six million students.
For more information on Newman’s Civic Fellowship Program, visit http://compact.org/newman-civic-fellow/elle-williams/. For information about CSM Student Life, visit http://www.csmd.ed