Michael Elliott, a senior in the mechanical engineering technology program, has been named a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.
This prestigious award honors undergraduate and graduate students who have taken action in pursuit of long-term social change, and who engage and inspire others in their communities.
Elliott's contributions to the UNH Manchester community are many, as University President Mark Huddleston highlighted in his nomination narrative.
"Michael Elliott has fully embraced the UNH Manchester Campus and has taken on many leadership roles throughout the campus community. He is a veteran, who served overseas in Japan with the Marines, and then in Afghanistan with the Army Reserves.
Before starting classes here, Michael participated in First Year Service day with other new students and UNH Manchester faculty and staff, working at the NH Food Bank garden. Since coming to UNH Manchester, he has been an active member of the Student Veterans Advocacy Team, participating in events and activities, such as raising funds for Liberty House, a shelter for homeless veterans.
Michael has also served as an orientation leader and transfer student mentor. In both of these roles, he has helped incoming UNH Manchester students with campus resources. Furthermore, he is participating in the UNH Manchester Student Leadership Academy and is focusing his final project on resources for student veterans.
Michael is a Mechanical Engineering Technology major and hopes to use his degree to be able to work with prosthetics, an interest stemming from his time in the military. He would like to have the opportunity to design and improve upon current prosthetic technology."
The Newman Civic Fellows Award is named in honor of Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact's founders and a lifelong advocate for higher education to prepare students for active and engaged citizenship.
Due to the close-knit community and opportunities to get involved at UNH Manchester, I was able to participate in student leadership positions such as Orientation Leader, Transfer-Student Mentor, Admissions Ambassador, member of Student Veterans Advocacy Team, and the financial clerk for Student Activities. Being in these positions has pushed me to become a better student and allowed me to take ownership in my education.
Michael Elliott '16, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Elliott is one of 218 students to receive this year's Newman Civic Fellows Award.
