Civic Renewal Fellows
In this yearlong program, Civic Renewal Fellows develop the tools to enact positive change around important issues.
Fellows cultivate individual and collective leadership skills through weekly training. Sessions focus on restorative practices, dialogue, civic discourse and community organizing. Throughout the fellowship, students utilize these skills to facilitate meaningful conversations about social issues and create an informed and strategic action plan to strengthen the TU community.
The Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility (CESR) developed the Civic Renewal Initiative in 2022 as an answer to political and social divisions, a growing sense of exclusion among marginalized populations and fear of talking across differences. This program is in collaboration with the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, the Dean of Students Office, and the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Support.
Application for Civic Renewal Fellowship
The application form for 2026-27 will be available here in August.
The fellowship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. It includes participating in a one-day retreat, attending weekly training sessions, facilitating campus conversations and engaging in a campus project.
The overall time commitment is approximately 40 - 60 hours over the course of the academic year. The fellowship is work-study eligible. Fellows are paid hourly.
“ It makes me feel less alone in thinking and noticing what’s going on in the world. My perspective has shifted from ‘How will XYZ impact me’ to ‘How will XYZ impact the people around me and is there anything I can do about it. ”
“ I now have a better sense of my community, and I am willing to contribute in any way possible. ”
Learning Outcomes
- practice active listening during interactions with collaborators and other key players
- cultivate mutual understanding and trust
- empower and uplift others to ensure an inclusive environment
- choose appropriate approaches and tools given the context to advance an effort
- develop an informed and strategic action plan to pursue collective and sustained actions at campus, local, state, and/or national levels
Meet the 2025-26 Civic Renewal Fellows
| Fellow | Major |
|---|---|
| Alana Fithian-Wilson | Political Science, Spanish |
| Amara Miller | Counseling Psychology |
| Chioma Emor | Social Sciences |
| Kevin Ferrell | Political Science, Psychology |
| Leona Morgan | Mass Communication |
| Rikia Cornish | Psychology |
| Riley Walker | Molecular Biology |
| Salecia Polea | Biology |
| Xavier Hughes | Mass Communications |
In the Press
National Presentations
The Civic Renewal Fellowship has been highlighted nationally through conference presentations.
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From Polarization to Belonging: Restorative Approaches to Campus Civic Discourse, 2025 Circle of Restorative Initiatives Conference
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Everyday Democracy and Civic Agency in Action, 2025 American Democracy Project Summit
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Be HIP: Design a High-Impact Practice Learning Opportunity, 2024 TU Educators Summit
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Be HIP: Design a Co-Curricular High-Impact Practice Program, 2024 Maryland Student Affairs Conference
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Be HIP: Turn Your Civic Engagement Programs into a High-Impact Practice, 2024 Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Meeting