October 5, 2026
MSU Student Named Newman Civic Fellow for Dedication to Community Engagement
Contact: Emily Springer, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement, sprin116@msu.edu
Contact: Catherine Anger, Center for Community Engaged Learning, University Outreach and Engagement, angercat@msu.edu
Congratulations to MSU senior Sumaiya Imad, who has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.
EAST LANSING, MI (October 5, 2026)— Sumaiya Imad, an MSU senior majoring in economics and a member of the Honors College, has been named a 2026-27 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition of civic and community engagement experts representing colleges and universities around the country. The fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students working to address social, political, and environmental issues.
“Sumaiya’s academic accomplishments and community engagement reflect a deep commitment to connecting research with real-world solutions,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “Her passion for advocacy, accessibility, and human rights, combined with her dedication to serving others, will undoubtedly contribute to her success throughout the fellowship.”
As a Newman Civic Fellow, Imad will participate in a yearlong program that provides students with opportunities for learning, networking, and collaborating with peers and mentors across disciplines to create positive change in their communities. A core component of the fellowship focuses on building a national network of engaged student leaders who can support one another in advancing partnerships between universities and communities.
“As a recipient of the Spartan Volunteer Service Award and a participant in the Community Engagement Scholars Program, Sumaiya has demonstrated a deep commitment to civic engagement, service, and improving the lives of others,” said Renee Miller Zientek, executive director of MSU’s Center for Community Engaged Learning. “We look forward to seeing how this fellowship supports Sumaiya’s growth as a civic leader and amplifies the work she is already doing.”
Imad said being selected as a fellow means she can continue on a path of service. “To me, this fellowship is not simply a recognition of what I have already done but rather a responsibility to continue doing this work with greater intention, humility, and accountability,” she said.
Through her work, Imad addresses structural inequality through housing justice advocacy, support for trafficking survivors, and community-informed policy solutions. In partnership with Lansing’s Tenant Resource Center and MSU College of Law, she helped develop an AI-powered housing rights chatbot to expand access to legal resources. She also founded Sincerely, Her, a survivor-centered initiative that supports women affected by trafficking through vocational training, mental health resources, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
After graduation, Imad plans to attend law school and continue advancing public causes that have been foundational to her work. “I want to use law as a tool to make human rights more accessible in people's everyday lives,” Imad said. “Whether working with tenants facing displacement, survivors of violence and trafficking, or communities navigating complex systems, my goal is to make justice more reachable for those who need it most.”
Imad is one of only 169 scholars selected across 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico.
