NC Civic Impact Fellowship

Since 2024, the NC Civic Impact Fellowship (NC-CIF) has empowered outstanding civic-minded student leaders from campuses across North Carolina to develop an “Impact Project” that strengthens an aspect of campus civic life or civic culture. Fellows are nominated by their college/university President or Chancellor and campus mentors, based on their potential to excel in civic and community service leadership.

Each phase of the 18-month fellowship is designed to support the Fellow’s professional and personal skill development to enhance the outcomes of their Impact Project while building their capacity as civic leaders.

Fellowship Components

• Regular virtual meetings focused on professional and personal skill development
• Design and leadership of a campus-based Impact Project to improve an aspect of civic life or civic culture. 
• Participation in week-long civic leadership camp (Citizen Redefined Camp)
• One-on-one leadership development with a campus mentor and NCCE staff
• Connection to a statewide network of Civic Impact Fellows
• Multiple opportunities to present at NCCE conferences and events
• Public recognition

For questions about the NC Civic Impact Fellowship, contact Sam Delap (sdelap@ncengage.org).

2025-26 NC Civic Impact Fellows

NC Civic Impact Fellowship Alumni

Elizabeth City State University – Trinitee Smith, “Politics Unplugged: Bridging Education with Civic Power”

Greensboro College – Xypher Pino, “Improving Civic Life by Empowering Students”

High Point University – Osliany Mora-Morejon, “Operation Bridging Impact”

UNC Pembroke – Magally Ortiz-Rojas, “La Communidad”

William Peace University – Christopher Simmering, “Operation Agora”

Nomination Process

• Nominations open the second week in August. 
• Faculty or Staff member identifies a Civic Impact Fellow and a mentor, and completes an online nomination form. The nomination form requires a Letter of Support that is signed by the college/university President or Chancellor, as well as the student’s resume and headshot. 
• Nominees formally accept nomination to the fellowship. Campuses formally agree to host the fellow. 
• Cohort of fellows is publicly announced

Please note that the Community Impact Student Award now uses a separate nomination form. A student who is selected for the Community Impact Student Award receives preference for the fellowship. Receiving the Community Impact Student Award is not a requirement for a student to be nominated to the fellowship. 

Eligibility

All Fellows should meet the eligibility criteria below:

• Sophomore or Junior (4-year institutions) or first year student (2-year institutions)
• Demonstrated leadership with civic, community and/or service engagement on campus.
• Capacity and commitment to developing, implementing, and leading an impactful civically-focused project that will produce tangible results on campus.
• Outstanding ability to lead and inspire fellow students to engage

Which students are a good fit for this fellowship?

This fellowship is designed for undergraduate students who have previous leadership experience and are interested in the process of designing and leading a project of their own. Many types of students can be successful in this fellowship. Here are some common traits:

• Students who either have a passion for a topic or idea affecting campus civic life that they are ready to take action on or students who are currently working on a project to improve campus civic life who are looking for extra support, funding, structure, or legitimacy for their project. 
• Students who have the capacity and commitment to conduct research, attend regular virtual fellowship meetings, and carry out an independent project. Depending on the project, time commitment ranges from 1-5 hours per week.
• Students who are communicative, proactive, and comfortable working both independently and within a supportive cohort