by The Cowl Editor on September 3, 2021
Features
Michaela Campbell ’22 has truly made her mark on Providence College during her three years on campus. However, her career serving her local communities began long before attending PC.
Campbell is from Holliston, MA and is currently majoring in public and community service studies with a minor in Spanish. In addition to her academic studies, she is the president of the Society Organized Against Racism, a member of the Dialogue, Inclusion, Democracy Lab, an orientation coordinator, and a former Feinstein Fellow at Sophia Academy.
Aside from her ongoing involvement in service within the PC community, Campbell was nominated by Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., the College president, to participate in the nationwide Newman Civic Fellowship beginning in early September. This program, which recognizes community-committed students who are change-makers and problem-solvers, will continue throughout the academic year. Campbell views this fellowship as “a unique opportunity to foster unity with values-aligned peers across the country as we exchange best practices, extend empowerment, and spearhead change.”
“In all of these roles, I strive to use my privilege as a platform for good, amplifying the voices and needs of community members who have historically and systemically been ignored, marginalized, and oppressed,” stated Campbell.
In the fall of 2020, Campbell interned with Project 351. This nonprofit elects one eighth grade student from each of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts to serve as an ambassador of service, leadership, and unity for one year.
Since being chosen to serve as an ambassador in 2014, Campbell has continued her work with Project 351 in a number of ways. Her experience as an intern as well as an architect of their largest fundraiser of the year, 35One Day, demonstrate her commitment to serving others and giving back. Campbell’s dedication in this role exemplifies Providence College’s goals to promote the common good, the human flourishing of each member of the campus community, and service of neighbors near and far.
This summer, Campbell interned with the WooSox Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Worcester Red Sox. Here, she led in-game fundraising initiatives, donation distribution, regionalization efforts through their newly introduced WooSox Road Show, and other efforts to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the program. She is looking forward to continuing her work with this foundation throughout the fall semester.
“The mission of the organization lies at the intersection of sports and social justice, so the lessons I have learned have been endless,” said Campbell.
Beginning this semester, Fr. Sicard is nominating a nation-wide fellow under the Newman Civic Fellowship, a year-long program recognizing community-committed students who are change-makers and problem-solvers on their college campuses and beyond. Clearly, Campbell was the perfect fit for this opportunity. She is honored to have been chosen and is eager to foster unity with value-aligned peers across the country as we exchange best practices, extend empowerment, and spearhead change.
Though it may appear that she does not have much time in her schedule for leisure, she enjoys spending time with her family in Cape Cod and especially with her puppy Finn. Throughout quarantine, she began to experiment with cooking and she loves to “chef it up” for her roommates. Her favorite part of PC has been the community she has found within the public and community service department as well as the social justice leadership groups she is involved in.
“The legacy of empowerment, compassion, and advocacy that has been cultivated since the founding of the College is like no other space on campus and I couldn’t be more grateful,” says Campbell.
Campbell will surely leave behind a positive legacy at Providence College, as a truly exceptional and invaluable member of the community.