OSU Institute of Technology Information Technology student Carlos Arevalo has always enjoyed taking on leadership roles and unifying others to resolve a common problem. His dedication to his community and peers has named him a 2023 Newman Civic Fellow award winner.

“We are honored to have Arevalo represent OSUIT as a Newman Civic Fellow,” said Dr. Bill R. Path, OSUIT president. “Through his leadership role in ITSA, he has helped establish a community and belonging among his peers to ensure they have the soft skills needed to excel in their field.”

Arevalo joins 154 student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C. and Mexico, who will make up the organization’s 2023-2024 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.

“Throughout my life, I have always taken the opportunity to step up and become a leader in my community. I am working toward my bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. With this, I’ve highlighted a major issue, and I’m working on solutions,” said Arevalo. 

After accepting the role of secretary for ITSA, a student club at OSUIT, he identified a common trend among I.T. students. The issue, according to Arevalo, is that many of his I.T. peers and classmates needed to be more social and engaged than those in other programs. That’s when he decided to get involved. 

“There’s an oversimplified image that people in I.T. have less social skills than other degrees, and, unfortunately, as a student, I’ve found this to be true with my peers and alumni,” said Arevalo. “On campus, I led the restart of a student club that focuses on getting I.T. students to break the habit of spending so much time in their rooms. 

That’s when he decided to be outgoing and reach out to students, give them a place to play games, learn about I.T. careers, attend advisory board meetings and find friends with common interests. 

“With the ITSA club, I’ve shown commitment to improving the circumstances for those around me and created events to invite everyone to join. I hope to impact my community and bring I.T. students together positively.” 

His desire to set an example and lead others to success is likely why this Mustang native will be the first in his family to earn his college degree at 19 years old. A path he is hoping his younger brother will follow as he pursues an education in engineering. 

Arevalo will graduate with his AAS in Information Technologies later this month and continue at OSUIT pursuing his Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology.

“I am honored to be named a Newman Civic Fellow,” said Arevalo excitedly. “I am focused and ready to add more tools to my toolbelt and strive to keep learning through my experiences. I look forward to using the lessons I learn through this opportunity now and in the future.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who are change-makers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. The fellowship provides students with training and resources that nurture their assets and passions and help them develop strategies for social change.

The yearlong program, named for Campus Compact founder Frank Newman, includes virtual learning opportunities and networking as part of a national network of engaged student leaders and an optional in-person convening. Fellows are nominated by their president based on their potential for public leadership.

“We are honored to recognize such an outstanding group of community-committed students,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “One of the best parts of the Newman Civic Fellowships is the richness of students’ perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds—and how these varied stories all led to their passionate engagement with the social, political, and environmental issues impacting our world. These students will be the catalysts for change on many levels, and we are privileged to help empower them to create that change.”

Learn more at compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship. You can read more about each student leader selected for this year’s cohort at compact.org/current-programs/newman-civic-fellowship/newman-civic-fellows.