Recognized for leadership in advancing community health and equity
May 2026 – Drew University congratulates Jacquelyn Dal Bon C’26 on being named a 2025–2026 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow, a national honor recognizing student leaders committed to creating meaningful change in their communities.
Dal Bon joined a cohort of students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico selected for their leadership potential and dedication to civic engagement. The yearlong fellowship, administered by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities advancing the public purpose of higher education, provides participants with learning and networking opportunities that support their growth as collaborative, equity-driven leaders.
Nominated by Drew University President Hilary L. Link, PhD, Dal Bon was selected for her work on Drew Access to Sexual Health, a student-led initiative supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in navigating the healthcare system. Her work addresses not only financial barriers, but also provider bias and gaps in patient education.
During the fellowship, Dal Bon raised $1,700 to expand the initiative, engaging Drew students in promoting sexual and reproductive health in partnership with a local homeless shelter. Drawing on community needs research she conducted, she organized the assembly of care packages and led educational programming designed to improve health literacy and access to care both on campus and in the broader community. This work marks a new phase in the project’s four-year history, which has previously focused on increasing student STD testing and addressing period poverty.
“It has been an incredible opportunity representing Drew University at the Newman Civic Fellows conference and throughout my fellowship,” said Dal Bon. “My favorite part of this experience has been collaborating with such a wide range of passionate student leaders. We workshopped shared challenges across our campuses, allowing me to bring valuable lessons back to the Drew community. I am very grateful to President Link and the Civic Engagement department for supporting my involvement, and I hope to see future Drew students utilize this fellowship to develop on-campus initiatives.”
“In every context, Jacquelyn exhibits the qualities graduate programs and professional organizations prize: intellectual curiosity, ethical clarity, and an unwavering commitment to equity,” wrote Link in her nomination letter. “Her blend of intellect, compassion, and initiative has made a tangible difference on our campus and in the wider community.”
