Monmouth College student Kailyn Gore honored as Newman Civic Fellow for commitment to solving public problems

Rising junior from Marlton, New Jersey, will study abroad in France this fall

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (06/13/2024) — An "exemplary student and innovative leader" from Monmouth College is among the students nationwide recognized as a 2024-25 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow.

Kailyn Gore '26 of Marlton, New Jersey, received the honor after being nominated by Monmouth President Clarence Wyatt.

"Kailyn Gore is an exemplary student, innovative leader, youth advocate and peer mentor who has demonstrated an ability to create positive changes here at Monmouth College," wrote Wyatt in his nomination. "She regularly demonstrates her ability to quickly understand new institutional environments and work with others to identify improvements that would benefit the broader community."

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides Newman Civic Fellows with learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture their development as civic leaders. Programming emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth that can empower them to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. It supports institutions in fulfilling their public purposes by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.

Fostering positive change

In her first two years at Monmouth, Gore has been an exemplar of civic involvement and leadership. She served as parliamentarian and treasurer of the Scots Student Senate, leading campus-wide reforms, such as enabling public elections through a constitutional amendment, and facilitating discussions with faculty and administration to address various student needs.

"Believing in the transformative strength of community, I approach social impact through grassroots endeavors to foster positive change," said Gore, a prestigious Trustees Scholar at Monmouth who was named the Freshman Woman of the Year in 2023. "My positions here have honed my ability to navigate higher education structures to enact meaningful changes, fostering greater political engagement within Monmouth College's campus community."

Prior to Monmouth, Gore's involvement in local congressional campaigns - starting at the age of 14 - and founding the student-led non-profit organization Civic Wave equipped her to tackle structural challenges and champion student-led solutions. Civic Wave actively advances civic education in New Jersey and the tri-state area, and its advocacy led to a civics education bill that passed while she was still in high school.

Networking in U.S. and abroad

Gore said being a Newman Civic Fellow will open even more opportunities for civic engagement.

"The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to delve into creative approaches for community-building and advocacy, aligning with my goal of making a positive difference in marginalized communities globally," said Gore, who's studying a topical major, international affairs, that she created along with political science professor Jessica Vivian. As part of that major, she'll study abroad in France this fall.

"Most importantly, I just want to immerse myself in the culture and just be a sponge, learning from everyone else around me, not just professors, but students, as well, from across the world," said Gore, who is working this summer on the College's Educational Farm & Garden. "I think what I'm most interested in is being an active listener and learning about different perspectives on political issues."

The cornerstone of the Newman fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over three days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund community projects, scholarships and post-graduate opportunities.

"I'm looking forward to the networking opportunity that comes along with the fellowship - the opportunity to connect with other civically-minded students across campuses across the United States," said Gore. "Connecting to see what kind of projects they're implementing on campus."

Another project that Gore has started at Monmouth is the Scots Political Society, which seeks to increase civic engagement and political discussion on campus. One of the society's initiatives has been to host what Gore called "Socratic seminars, which is a non-confrontational way to have political discussions and engage in political topics so that students feel comfortable in learning about the process of debate and increase their knowledge about current events, such as the 2024 presidential election and the situation in Gaza."

Beyond Monmouth, Gore is considering joining the Peace Corps, as well as undertaking a law or doctoral program "to delve into international law and confront global challenges," she said. "This academic journey will equip me with the expertise needed to contribute meaningfully to international law and pursue a career in public service."

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