University of San Francisco Student Jaeda Johnson honored as 2025-2026 Newman Civic Fellow

SAN FRANCISCO (September 19, 2025) – Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has named the student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico who will make up the 2025-2026 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. University of San Francisco (USF) student Jaeda Johnson was named as a member of the cohort.

“Jaeda is an outstanding USF student, and her leadership and passion for advocating for access for underserved communities reflect a life centered on serving others and advancing equity,” stated former USF Interim President John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program that recognizes students who stand out for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities. 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, each fellow is nominated by their campus president or chancellor, who is invited to select one exemplary community-committed student from their campus each year.

From Jaeda’s Campus Compact Bio:

Jaeda Johnson is a leader at the University of San Francisco, deeply devoted to social justice and public service. She advances health equity in her work as a researcher, practitioner, and advocate. She was a McCarthy Fellow with the San Francisco Fire Department, developing mental health education initiatives for first responders. As a Martín Baró Scholar, Jaeda delivered food with Groceries for Seniors to advocate for healthy food to underserved elders in the Bay Area. She also taught digital literacy to older adults through her role as a bilingual instructor with the Community Tech Network. Most recently, Jaeda worked with the USF Racial Justice Clinic as an intern and interpreter for clients who needed support navigating the criminal justice system, particularly individuals who are disproportionately affected by certain laws and policing practices. Jaeda’s connection to the Filipino community is another important aspect of who she is and how she engages with others. She volunteers at Kapwa Gardens, a cultural asset serving the city’s Filipino community, through programs on health, arts, and economic development.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides these students with learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture their development as civic leaders. Programming emphasizes personal, professional, and civic growth that can empower them to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change.

The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over three days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund community projects, scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.

“It is an honor to welcome this group of accomplished and dedicated students to the Newman Civic Fellowship,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “As higher education faces unprecedented challenges, these students exemplify the power and possibility of civic and community engagement on campus. As they emerge as the leaders of tomorrow, we are proud that this fellowship will be part of their story. From a variety of institutions and with diverse backgrounds and experiences, these Fellows represent a bright future for public problem solving.”

Learn more at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship.

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that reflects the diversity, optimism, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. USF offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions. At USF, each course is an intimate learning community in which top professors encourage students to turn learning into positive action, so the students graduate equipped to do well in the world — and inspired to change it for the better. For more information, visit usfca.edu.

About Campus Compact

Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities that supports, engages, and challenges higher education to realize its public purpose. Campus Compact empowers colleges and universities to advance their academic and civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. Founded in 1985, Campus Compact is the nation's largest and oldest national association dedicated to advancing the civic and community engagement mission of higher education. Our members make up a force of thousands of presidents, faculty, researchers, students, and civic and community engagement experts. Campus Compact envisions colleges and universities as vital agents and architects of a diverse democracy, committed to educating students for responsible citizenship in ways that both deepen their education and improve the quality of community life. We challenge all of higher education to make civic and community engagement an institutional priority. Learn more at compact.org.