Student Leader Steven Sakayroun Honored as Newman Civic Fellow

Steven Sakayroun ’16 (middle) is pictured above with Westminster students (from left) Hyunji Kim ’17, Scovia Aweko ’17, Sandra Nivyabandi ’15, and Chansa Kateule ’17.

One Westminster junior’s passionate work toward improving global poverty has won him a Newman Civic Fellows Award.

Steven Sakayroun ‘16 is a student leader active in issues surrounding poverty and empowerment of our global community. Within three years, Steven has been a resident advisor on campus, a first-year student mentor, and the leader of many service-oriented projects and organizations, including the Westminster Poverty Initiative.

“Steven is an exceptionally passionate and kind leader that embodies the values of Westminster College and those of Dr. Frank Newman,” says Westminster College President George B. Forsythe. “Steven’s potential to bring improvements to those on our campus and in the global community is unlimited.”

Prior to attending Westminster College, Steven was honored with his selection into the inaugural class of the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, a school dedicated to developing the next generation of African leaders. Continuing his efforts to help those in need, Steven has been extensively involved with the Bright Light Campaign that provides solar study lamps to middle-school students living in remote Rwandan villages.

“Positive change is a concept that I have always kept at heart,” says Steven. “Today, I constantly strive to live a life of genuine love in the hope that I can create timely and timeless ripples of positive change.”

Newman Civic Fellows are nominated by college and university presidents to acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership. Named for Dr. Frank Newman, who founded Campus Compact and was President of the Education Commission of the States, these awards honor college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research, and advocacy, they make the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

Newman Civic Fellows will form a unique network of leaders who will inspire and keep hope alive for one another during college and afterward, as the network expands exponentially each year.

Campus Compact, which sponsors the Newman Civic Fellows, is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. It is the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement.