UMW senior Nathan Francis, from Leesburg, Virginia, has been named to the 2023 cohort of the Newman Civic Fellows by Campus Compact, recognizing his work on campus, in the Fredericksburg community and ever-expanding around the world.
“I have always had a passion for community service, participating in Key Club in high school and being a part of an organization called PEER (Positive Experiences in Educational Relationships) my junior and senior year of high school. Getting to help the local community where you live, whether at home or at school, helps to provide a much more personal tie to where you are,” he recalled. “That’s why I ultimately decided to continue participating in it during my time at Mary Washington. Even in 2020, I still participated with COAR as a volunteer, and helped in participating in the events I eventually was helping to coordinate.”
Francis’ first-year experience at UMW was punctuated by the pandemic, making the typical four-year college tenure feel more like three, but he quickly jumped back in sophomore year volunteering for as much as he could. He sought connections with faculty in his major through the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, and in spring 2023 completed research with Assistant Professor Jared McDonald, resulting in a soon-to-be-published co-authored paper.
“When I got to UMW and decided on political science, I got to see how important politics is for our society, and seeing where they interact has been so enriching. Getting to learn about public policy in a course and then going to work in the Center for Community Engagement where we are helping people to assist in the public policy/non-profit working area is so special,” Francis said.
He’s also found ways to go beyond the classroom, with faculty-led study abroad trips to three continents. In summer 2022, he completed the five-week UMW in Spain trip to Bilbao on the Global Studies and International Business program. In December 2022, he went on the UMW in Nepal trip, looking at international perspectives on civic engagement, during two-weeks in Kathmandu. And over spring break, he traveled to Brazil and Argentina with a digital storytelling course.
Closer to his college home, Francis leads campus-wide service projects to connect students to the Fredericksburg community. He coordinated an organization fair in the Cedric Rucker University Center, along with annual traditions of Into the Streets, Pay It Forward Day and the Head Start Gift Box Drive. He’s also served in positions in both the Center for Community Engagement, as a student leader for COAR (Community Outreach and Resources) and for the Center for International Education, helping other students connect to opportunities.
Francis is also director of administration with SGA, and this fall, he interned with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the City of Fredericksburg. In the spring, he’ll have an internship on Capitol Hill in a senator’s office. He’s excited to connect that national practice back to his coursework senior year, something that Mary Washington’s campus, located just 50 miles from Washington, D.C., makes possible, as students can balance major requirements with major experiences.
“I decided on Mary Washington because when I walked on campus, I could tell there was something special here. It was during the summer, so there weren’t people on campus when I first visited, and I could still sense the community and friendly atmosphere that UMW exudes,” he said.
Each year, the Campus Compact award recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. The 2023 cohort included 154 students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico.
Through the fellowship, Francis earns a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional and civic growth, anchored in the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.
“We are honored to recognize such an outstanding group of community-committed students,” Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur said in a news release. “One of the best parts of the Newman Civic Fellowships is the richness of students’ perspectives, experiences and backgrounds – and how these varied stories all led to their passionate engagement with the social, political and environmental issues impacting our world. These students will be the catalysts for change on many levels, and we are privileged to help empower them to create that change.”
Francis’ work continues through spring 2024, when he will cross the commencement stage, and while international studies has been a large part of his undergraduate education, he plans to stay stateside. He’s got his sights set on the nation’s capital for that next step.
A lovely story!