Levine Scholar receives national community service honor

Junior Sarah Whitmire is a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow; the national honor recognizes individuals who are investing in their communities through service, research and advocacy.

As a Levine Scholar, Whitmire is working the UNC Charlotte faculty members, practitioners in the Carolinas Healthcare System and a group of women experiencing homelessness on a community-based research project.

“I’ve always felt a strong drive to use my skills to improve the lives of those with the fewest resources,” stated Whitmire, who is majoring in biology with a minor in music and public health sciences. “Three years ago, this drive was further ignited when I reached out to the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter, which houses women and children in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. I volunteer with the nonprofit clinic associated with the shelter, whose mission is to promote self-sufficiency by providing free health care. In addition to working directly with the residents, I’ve participated and initiated multiple health-related projects at the shelter to promote health, to provide education and to encourage preventative measures.”

Whitmire, from Wilmington, N.C., is one of 201 Newman Fellows from 36 states and the District of Columbia.

Named in honor of Frank Newman, one of the founders of Campus Compact, the Newman Civic Fellow award is sponsored by the KPMG Foundation. Newman Civic Fellows will share ideas and materials to further their work through an exclusive online community especially for the fellows.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact promotes public and community service that develops students’ citizenship skills, helps campuses forge effective community partnerships, and provides resources and training for faculty seeking to integrate civic and community-based learning into the curriculum.