HIGH POINT, N.C., March 22, 2019 – Jake Matthews, a sophomore at High Point University, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. As a fellow, he will participate in a yearlong program emphasizing personal, professional and civic growth for students who have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and an investment in solving public problems.
A native of Mars Hill, Matthews is majoring in political science and triple minoring in civic responsibility and social innovation, nonprofit leadership and management, and gender studies. On campus, he is a peer mentor for freshmen, a Leadership Fellow and a member of the Service Learning Committee. He is also part of HPU’s Bonner Leader program, which has connected him to serving at West End Ministries for two years.
“Growing up in rural western North Carolina, the concept of volunteering and community service has been a prevalent part of my life,” says Matthews. “I decided to continue my service at High Point University, where the Bonner Leader program has helped me garner a better understanding of the importance of service and servant leadership. Through Bonner, I am directly working toward alleviating food insecurity.”
“While at West End, Jake has helped implement a new client choice pantry system, in which those who utilize the pantry services get to decide which food they receive rather than being told what they need,” says the Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser, Robert G. Culp Jr. director of service learning at HPU. “This system gives the people of the West End community power in a situation in which they might feel powerless. While dedicating between 10-15 hours per week at West End, Jake has been able to maintain good grades and continue expanding his role in the HPU community.”
Matthews is among a cohort of 262 students from across the country named Newman Civic Fellows for 2019-2020. Named for Campus Compact co-founder Frank Newman, the program provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with access to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.