UNG junior Grey Nebel was selected as UNG's Newman Civic Fellow. The opportunity allows students to network and gain access to training and resources that nurture their assets and passions.
Article By: Agnes Hina
Grey Nebel, a University of North Georgia (UNG) junior from Lilburn, Georgia, was recently announced as a 2022-23 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.
The Newman Civic Fellowship is a program where students are recognized and supported for their public problem-solving. The opportunity allows students to network and gain access to training and resources that nurture their assets and passions, ultimately helping them develop strategies for creating lasting social change.
"UNG's legacy of supporting a Newman Civic Fellow each year reflects the university's commitment to community service and civic engagement. Grey's selection as a Newman Fellow highlights his promise as a change-maker in building equitable communities," Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the Honors Program, said. "Much like our past awardees, Grey demonstrates dedication to identifying and addressing challenges both on UNG's campus and in the local communities it serves."
Much like our past awardees, Grey demonstrates dedication to identifying and addressing challenges both on UNG's campus and in the local communities it serves.
Dr. Anastasia Lin
assistant vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the Honors Program
Nebel is one of 173 students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico in the 2022-23 academic cohort. The other three other fellows from Georgia are students from Georgia College & State University, Mercer University and Spelman College.
Campus Compact, according to its website, is "a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education" that aims to "build democracy through civic education and community development."
The application process took several weeks before it was even close to being sent off, but it was worthwhile considering it resulted in being one of only four Georgia students selected, Nebel said.
"It feels very rewarding, like my work on campus for people in my community is getting fully realized. It's more tangible," he said. "I was the student advocate for the Preferred Name Policy, which passed over the summer in 2021. It took me from October 2019 to July 2021. It was a lot of work, but it meant a lot to me, as a trans student, and a lot of people in my community on campus."
Nebel was nominated by his professor Hassan Hussain, whose research focus is multilingualism and multiculturalism in the Middle East. Hussain's mentorship is a great fit as Nebel aspires to go into sociolinguistics upon completing graduate school.
"I grew up acutely aware of how very small things can have a very big impact," Nebel said. "My inspiration is looking at how society either worsens or improves the quality of life for the people I care about and to see how I can make a difference."
Nebel will attend an orientation next month and start the fellowship program on Sept. 1, 2022. He expects to graduate in May 2023.
Since 2013, 10 UNG students have been named Newman Civic Fellows including Justin Bray in 2021. For more information, visit the Newman Civic Fellowship website.
