James Harris: Championing Civic Engagement at UW Green Bay and Beyond
The Center for Civic Engagement proudly introduces James Harris as the 2023-2024 UW Green Bay Newman Civic Fellow. Harris, currently in his fellowship year with Campus Compact, brings a dynamic perspective and unwavering commitment to civic engagement.
Supported by the Center for Civic Engagement and his distinguished community mentor, Mayor Eric Genrich, Harris has embarked on several impactful civic projects. As one of the co-chairs of UW Green Bay College Democrats, he is dedicated to creating a community of progressive-minded individuals on our campus. When presented with the opportunity to support Barb Dorff’s City Council campaign, Harris and fellow College Democrats members embraced the challenge, dedicating their time to canvassing and assisting Barb’s Kitchen Cabinet. James and the College Democrats are also actively engaged in mobilizing college voters, a challenging but critical endeavor. They are organizing innovative events, such as “Cookies with Grandma Barb,” designed to engage students in meaningful conversations about local elections and civic participation. Their dedication to local politics and community engagement demonstrates a strong commitment to effecting positive change on our campus and in our broader community.
Most recently, Harris was selected for the prestigious Bridging the Divide scholarship, awarded by the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership. This scholarship covers an entire semester’s tuition at UW Green Bay and underscores Harris’s commitment to fostering civil discourse. As the 2024 spring semester’s Bridging the Divide campus representative, James not only receives this scholarship but also has the opportunity for renewal over three semesters based on his outstanding contributions. His thoughtful application, emphasizing the importance of civil discourse, resonated with the selection committee, and is well aligned with Governor Thompson’s leadership legacy that seeks to bridge divides.
In addition to this scholarship, James is actively engaged in various initiatives. He collaborates with the WI College Democrats organization and fellow Wisconsin Newman Civic Fellows by engaging in round-table discussions and collaborating on effective community engagement strategies. Harris is further expanding his horizons by participating in the TedX talk boot camp, aiming to address issues of extremism and the importance of civil discourse. His dedication to these endeavors reflects his commitment to making a positive impact both on campus and in the broader community.
In October, Harris actively participated in the 2023 Newman Civic Fellowship Convening in Boston, where over 125 Newman Civic Fellows from 35 states gathered. Hosted by Campus Compact, this event provided a platform for young civic leaders to connect, learn, and inspire positive change in their communities. James engaged in workshops, heard from inspiring speakers, and honed his civic leadership skills through self-reflection and brainstorming sessions. The Convening also included immersive experiences, such as a visit to the JFK Presidential Library and a Senate simulation at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, challenging participants to collaborate and enact change. Keynote speaker Tara Venkatraman, Director of Programs and Strategy at The City School, emphasized the importance of collective care and creating supportive community spaces. The event culminated in fellows reflecting on their experiences and learning from Newman Civic Fellow alumni across various sectors.
James Harris’s remarkable dedication to civic leadership and positive change is aimed at creating new pathways of civic engagement of which his Newman Fellowship is a pivotal cornerstone. In this capacity, he is helping the Center for Civic Engagement to create new curricular opportunities for other UW Green Bay students interested in civic and community engagement. The Center for Civic Engagement has complete confidence in Harris’s ability to continue making a significant impact on our campus and community, and we eagerly anticipate the positive changes he will continue to inspire during his fellowship year and beyond.
For inquiries about the 2024-25 Newman Civic Fellowship program or to nominate a student, please visit our website: www.uwgb.edu/civic
