University of Dayton physics student Jose Chavez was recognized nationally as a member of the 2026-2027 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows for his commitment to inclusion, solidarity and institutional accountability.
Chavez was nominated by UD President Eric F. Spina for his commitment to organizing, connecting and building lasting change.
“Growing up in a working-class immigrant community, I witnessed firsthand the systemic injustices that shape the daily lives of not just Latinx families but every family,” Chavez said. “These experiences have deeply influenced my commitment to advocacy and social change.”
Chavez advocates for the Latinx and immigrant community on campus and in the city of Dayton, focusing on issues rooted in systemic oppression. His efforts have been recognized by the City of Dayton and he has collaborated with the International Peace Museum, Dayton United for Human Rights and the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition in a vigil to honor immigrants separated from their families by ICE detention.
On campus, Chavez serves as a President’s Emissary, student engagement assistant at the Multi-Ethnic Engagement Center, member Alpha Psi Lambda and president of El Orgullo Latino.
Through the fellowship, Chavez will take part in learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture his development as a civic leader. Programming emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth that can empower fellows to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change.
“This fellowship is an opportunity for me to expand my work in advocacy and uplift marginalized communities,” Chavez said. “I hope to accomplish this through education, service and leadership which are essential qualities that create impactful change when serving my community. I wish to take away new experiences and perspectives that allow me to grow and continue this work beyond undergraduate education.”
The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over three days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund community projects, scholarships and post-graduate opportunities.
“Rather than treating social inequities as surface-level problems, Jose consistently works to address their root causes. He does so by amplifying systemically excluded voices, bridging cultural divides and holding leadership structures accountable to the communities they serve,” Spina said.