Galloway, NJ. – Christopher Lipari Pazienza of Garwood has been named a 2021-2022 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.

The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions.

A student in the Criminal Justice dual degree program at Stockton University, Christopher has been a Bonner leader, a Student Senator, and worked on voter registration efforts.

In his statement for the program, Christopher cited the voter registration project as inspiring him to become more involved in the community. This year he is involved in the Racial Justice Community Grant to increase civic engagement in Atlantic City.

“The first ever project I got involved in after I started working with the Bonner program was voter registration,” he said. “While tabling, I not only got to help fellow students register to vote and the importance of voting, but I learned about the absentee ballot that has been my saving grace every November for three years.”

This year he is involved in the Racial Justice Community Grant project to increase civic engagement in Atlantic City.  He hopes to show young people how to use their voice for social change through voting and community activism.

Christopher was recommended by Stockton Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning Merydawilda Colon and Coordinator of Service-Learning Erin O’Hanlon and nominated by President Harvey Kesselman.

“Christopher is a Bonner Leader who has taken action on issues of inequality and has demonstrated great potential for long-term civic engagement,” Colon said. “We are very proud of his efforts and leadership.”

Kesselman presented Christopher with his certificate, along with Colon, O’Hanlon, Provost Susan Davenport and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Michelle McDonald.

“You’ve had an incredible career here at Stockton,” Kesselman said. “This is a national award. You should be very proud.”

As a participant in the dual degree Criminal Justice Program, Christopher will complete both his bachelor and master’s degree in five years, graduating by May 2022.  He said his goal is to work with at-risk youth.

The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. Fellows are nominated by their president or chancellor on the basis of their potential for public leadership. Christopher will join 212 students from 39 states, Washington, D.C. and Mexico to form the 2021 cohort.

- Reported by Diane D'Amico