From co-leading CC’s chapter of Sunrise Movement, a youth-centered climate action group, to co-chairing Bridge Scholars and working as a refugee resettlement intern, Kaviya Chidambaram ’27 is making a difference in her local community — and others agree. Campus Compact recently named Chidambaram to their 2025-2026 Cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.
Chidambaram says that as a young person today, it can be easy to feel as if the world is burning and there is nothing you can do to fix it.
“I want to counter youth political apathy and climate anxiety with hope and connection,” says Chidambaram, an International Political Economy major and Environmental Studies minor. “Young people will bear the brunt of the climate crisis, yet we are often denied the political power and voice to make changes that are vital for our future. I work to support underrepresented changemakers in recognizing the power we have as the leaders our communities need. This looks like education on the power we hold in shaping our governance, building and empowering a community that leans on each other, and connecting students with their elected officials while mobilizing youth to get the people we need into office.”
Chidambaram says at the core of this work is creating tangible action items that empower young people to be changemakers.
“This requires strengthening partnerships between community coalitions, policymakers, and students to build congruence in action,” she wrote in her personal statement.
“This fellowship would not be possible without the support of my mentor Tykee James who helps me find windows and water pails when it feels like I'm stuck in a burning house,” Chidambaram says. “I am also deeply grateful for Dr. Jarred Wiehe and the incredible CCE staff who invest meaningfully in student leadership at CC and work tirelessly to remove structural barriers to student success. My choices and successes are guided by my advisors, Gretchen Wardell, Andrea Culp, Dr. Michelan Wilson, Dr. John Gould, and Dr. Mike Angstadt, who show me the light when the path is dark.”
Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education. This year, 150 students from 144 institutions of higher education were selected as Newman Civic Fellows.
The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program for students who are leaders and are committed to creating a positive difference in their communities. Throughout the year, fellows participate in networking and programming opportunities, where they develop skills and grow as civic leaders so they can continue making a difference in their communities.
“At the heart of Kaviya’s work is the belief that meaningful change is rooted in collaboration,” says CC President Dr. Manya Whitaker, who nominated Chidambaram for the fellowship. “Her drive to empower underrepresented voices in policy-making processes reflects her vision of a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
CC students have been named Newman Civic Fellows for the past several years. These fellows include Charlotte Combe ’27 (2024-25), Benjamin Murphy ’25 (2023-24), Alanna Jackson ’23 (2022-23), Sophie Cardin ’22 (2021-22),Andre Dufresnem ’21 (2020-21), Elam Boockvar-Klein ’20 (2019-20), and Veronica Fernandez-Diaz ’19 (2018-19).