Wiese Receives National Honor for Service
Senior Nichole Wiese was among 218 students from across the nation chosen by Campus Compact to receive the 2016 Newman Civic Fellows Award. She has coordinated many service events at BVU.
Nichole Wiese, a Buena Vista University senior elementary education major from Dike, was among 218 students from across the nation chosen by Campus Compact to receive the 2016 Newman Civic Fellows Award.
Wiese is an active student leader, and her direct civic involvements include serving as a member of Student M.O.V.E. (Mobilizing Outreach & Volunteer Efforts) and two years as vice president for Service Events where she has helped coordinate a number of service events on BVU's campus where members of the student body could volunteer.
She is also highly involved with the BV Buddies program at BVU, which partners with a local school and engages college students in mentoring its youth. Wiese served as a mentor for two years and is now a mentor coordinator, where she leads training sessions and develops ways to recruit and retain other mentors to serve. As a result of her efforts, last year's academic performance improved by 63-percent, there were 92-percent fewer disciplinary referrals and 60-percent fewer unexcused absences.
"I strongly believe that you are never too young to make a positive impact on the world. I have a passion for our youth and truly believe that there is greatness inside everyone," said Wiese. "I have dedicate my time to our BV Buddies volunteer mentoring program and making sure children have positive mentors in their lives to help bring out the inner greatness that they may not see in themselves. In turn, my leadership skills have grown in working with this group, and it has instilled service as a part of my life for years to come."
According to Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant dean for student life and director of civic engagement at BVU, "Nichole is very deserving of this honor. Her whole college career has been dedicated to bettering the life of children in our community and beyond. She has committed hundreds of hours to serving and providing service opportunities to many people here at BVU, and it is an honor to work and serve alongside of her."
Campus Compact is a national nonprofit coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. The award is named in memory of Frank Newman, co-founder of the national Campus Compact organization, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform.
Wiese was nominated for the honor by BVU President Fred Moore, a member of Iowa Campus Compact, a statewide association of Iowa college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education by educating students for active citizenship and building strong communities.