Newman Civic Fellowship Recipient: Cate Sullivan-Konyn

By Maya Korenich

Catherine Sullivan-Konyn, a staff manager at Marquette’s Service Learning program, was awarded The Newman Civic Fellowship. This fellowship provides a yearlong experience for students. Those awarded the fellowship have access to in-person and virtual learning opportunities, networking events, and mentoring.

The Newman Civic Fellowship aims to recognize and support students who are community-committed and have demonstrated their investment in finding solutions for communities facing challenges throughout the country. This fellowship does not end after one year. Afterwards, fellows are invited to join a national-network of peers who are also community-committed and be a part of a long-term Newman Civic Fellows Community.

Cate is a junior at Marquette University majoring in Sociology and Social Welfare and justice. She also has a minor in Peace Studies. She is a staff manager with the Service Learning Program where she leads 12 peers, establishes bonds with community organizations, and plans and facilitates reflection sessions for students.

At Marquette’s Social Justice in Action conference Cate helped to plan and facilitate sessions that would help students learn more about oppression and discrimination.

In 2017, Cate went to Cape Town, South Africa, and studied at Marquette’s International Service Learning Program. While in Cape Town she worked with children in a township orphanage. This experience allowed Cate to gain a social justice perspective that was more global.

In association with Marquette’s University’s Center for Peacemaking, Cate teaches conflict resolution and violence prevention skills to students and teachers in Milwaukee Public Schools.

Before attending Marquette University, Cate volunteered at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. She did so through a program called Project Ujima which worked with children ages 8-18 who were victims of violence.

Now at Marquette University she accompanies a Peace Works trainer to Milwaukee area schools each week teaching lessons that inspire positive communication, social health, and much more.

Cate says that, “It is always my priority to plant seeds of peace, understanding and possibly motivation for my peers to use our privilege to address social conditions that cause violence”.

Cate worked for many years through volunteering as well as employment to help people gain important life skills. She showed her commitment to the community time after time and was the perfect choice to receive The Newman Civic Fellowship.