Maria Reyes Pacheco '24 Honored With Newman Civic Fellowship

Maria Reyes Pacheco ’24 has been named a 2022–2023 Newman Fellow. This yearlong fellowship recognizes student leaders who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world.

Reyes Pacheco was selected for the fellowship because of her advocacy work both on and off campus. Inspired by her own family’s experience as Bolivian immigrants, she has worked as a Center for Peace and Global Citizenship-sponsored intern at New Sanctuary Movement, a grassroots immigrant justice organization in North Philadelphia. At Haverford, the history major, sociology minor, and Latin American and Iberian Studies minor has worked as a Community Outreach Multicultural Liaison and serves in a leadership role on the Alliance of Latin American Students (ALAS). Last semester, she also worked as a student consultant for the Spanish Department as part of the Teaching and Learning Institute (TLI) to develop the department’s community engagement with the New Sanctuary Movement. One of her goals for the future is to connect ALAS members with opportunities at New Sanctuary Movement so the group can contribute to the Latinx community outside of Haverford and form connections with community members that share similar experiences and stories.

“Maria Reyes Pacheco's commitment to advocating for human rights is demonstrated in multifaceted, ongoing ways, and is deeply rooted in her personal experiences as an immigrant,” said President Wendy Raymond in her nomination letter. “Her passionate, intelligent advocacy and relationship-building capacity has drawn her to connect students, faculty and staff with community groups, resulting in stronger partnerships and more beneficial outcomes for all. Maria has invested her passion for social justice into efforts to foster an ethically engaged  diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution. … She exemplifies the Haverfordian ideals of trust, concern, respect, service, and integrity.”

Reyes Pacheco is one of 173 student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico who were chosen for this year’s cohort of fellows. Through the fellowship, they will receive a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth. Each year, fellows participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide them with the skills and connections they need to create large-scale positive change. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Fellows, which offers intensive skill-building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

“I feel extremely humbled to have been chosen for this fellowship and I hope to use the skills I learn to give back to my community and share what I learn with other student leaders on this campus,” she said. “I am very grateful to the many community leaders and upperclassmen who have encouraged me to be involved in work that advocates for our communities. I am excited for the opportunity to meet fellows from all over the country and I look forward to creating connections that will help us accomplish our goals as we learn from one another and our experiences.”

“We are proud to name such an outstanding and diverse group of students Newman Civic Fellows,” said Bobbie Laur, president of Campus Compact, which administers the fellowship. “Their passion and resolve to take action on the wide range of issues challenging our neighborhoods and communities is inspiring and deeply needed. We cannot wait to engage with them through this transformative experience.”

Read more about Fords who have won fellowships, scholarships, or grants.