Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) graduate Lila Seroy has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities focused on promoting civic engagement in higher education.
Seroy, who completed her business degree at RVCC in May 2025 and is now studying at Stanford University, is among student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico chosen for the 2025-2026 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.
The Newman Civic Fellowship lasts one year and highlights students recognized for their leadership potential and dedication to making positive changes in their communities. The fellowship honors Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact known for his advocacy of civic involvement within higher education. Each fellow is nominated annually by their campus president or chancellor.
“It is an honor to welcome this group of accomplished and dedicated students to the Newman Civic Fellowship,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “As higher education faces unprecedented challenges, these students exemplify the power and possibility of civic and community engagement on campus.”
Campus Compact offers fellows learning experiences and networking opportunities aimed at developing their abilities as civic leaders. The program focuses on personal growth, professional skills, and civic development to help fellows collaborate across disciplines and promote significant change.
A key event for fellows is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows—three days devoted to skill-building workshops and networking. Fellows can also apply for mini grants supporting community projects, scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.
To support Seroy’s participation in the fellowship, RVCC’s Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement provided her with a stipend.
“We are extremely honored that Lila Seroy has been recognized nationally and named a Newman Civic Fellow,” said RVCC President Dr. Michael J. McDonough. “Lila has been a dedicated student leader at Raritan Valley Community College, and she exemplifies an unwavering commitment to advocacy, community empowerment, and education for disadvantaged youth through her work at Visions and Pathways, a local nonprofit that supports at-risk and homeless youth.”
During her two years volunteering with Visions and Pathways—a nonprofit assisting youth aging out of foster care or experiencing homelessness—Seroy helped expand outreach using digital marketing strategies. She designed social media campaigns highlighting success stories to boost community involvement with the organization’s programs while collaborating closely with staff experienced in nonprofit marketing.
Her efforts combined digital marketing skills with a focus on social justice issues to raise awareness about youth homelessness locally. As part of her commitment to service during the 2024-2025 academic year, Seroy also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award after completing more than 200 hours of volunteer work.
