Amber Hubbard Explores Civic Leadership at the Newman Civic Fellowship Convening
UW-Green Bay’s 2024-2025 Newman Civic Fellow, Amber Hubbard, recently traveled to Chicago to participate in the Newman Civic Fellowship Convening, where she joined more than 125 civic leaders from across the country. This annual event, hosted by Campus Compact, provided a space for fellows to collaborate, reflect, and develop leadership strategies for driving social change in their communities.
For Amber, the convening was an opportunity to learn, collaborate, and gain new perspectives on the social issues she is passionate about—especially housing insecurity and homelessness.
“This was my first time visiting Chicago, so I was excited for the opportunity. The convening brought together so many passionate individuals, and I was able to make great connections right from the start. On the first night, we gathered for dinner and heard from a guest speaker from Hidden Healers, whose work really touched my heart. I also participated in a breakout group where I connected with like-minded fellows, and we ended the night with a mocktail hour—an informal but impactful time to build relationships with other civic leaders.”
The second day was packed with workshops designed to support fellows in their civic engagement work. Amber had the opportunity to select sessions that aligned with her interests, including a brainstorming workshop where fellows collaborated to tackle real-world challenges they faced in their community work.
“It was incredible to hear what other fellows were working on and to be part of discussions that helped problem-solve real issues. It gave me a new perspective on how to approach challenges and think creatively about solutions.”
Beyond the formal sessions, Amber took time to explore Chicago, trying her first Chicago-style hot dog—a “10 out of 10” experience—and joining a boat tour along the Chicago River, taking in the city’s architecture and history. On the final day, she attended a workshop led by other fellows on starting a nonprofit, which sparked ideas for her own future community impact.
“It got my wheels turning about what I could do to create lasting change through a nonprofit of my own. Hearing from past fellows about the work they’re doing now was also incredibly inspiring.”
As she reflected on her experience, Amber shared that she returned to Green Bay feeling more confident and motivated to apply what she learned to her work on campus and in the community. As a Social Work major, Amber’s passion for supporting individuals experiencing housing insecurity drives her continued efforts both on campus and in the broader Green Bay community. Through her fellowship, she is engaging in projects that raise awareness and expand support for housing initiatives, working alongside local organizations like House of Hope to bridge gaps in resources for those in need.
The Center for Civic Engagement is proud to support Amber in her journey as a civic leader and looks forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make throughout her fellowship year and beyond. To learn more about the Newman Civic Fellowship program at UW-Green Bay, visit our website!
