Yetunde Smalls ’21 named Newman Civic Fellow

By Leah Aulisio-Sharpe ’22, April 27, 2020

Her award marks the ninth straight year an Ithaca College student earned the national honor.

Yetunde Smalls ’21 has already had a massive impact on the Ithaca College community during her time as a student.

(Photo submitted)

For her dedication to the Ithaca College community and commitment to advocacy work, Yetunde Smalls ’21 has been named a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.

Campus Compact is a national organization committed to advancing community service in higher education. Through the Newman Civic Fellowship, students are provided with training and resources to help them develop strategies for social change.

That’s something Smalls has been advocating for since she came to Ithaca College as a Martin Luther King Scholar. Smalls says that through her experiences as an MLK Scholar, she has gained an in-depth understanding of how war, poverty and racism impact inequality in a community. As such, King’s use of a “radical form of love” to seek change is something she seeks to do in her various leadership ventures.

“It is not my position to deify Dr. King,” Smalls said. “But continue his mission, and in doing so, open up inclusivity for all communities.”

“Our goal is to create a platform in which underrepresented students can see a representation of themselves on campus and within society.”

Yetunde Smalls ’21, on the mission of "Embrace" magazine

Serving as Community Council President of her residential cluster as part of the college’s First-Year Residential Experience heightened her awareness of inclusive programming and inspired her to create similar initiatives on campus.

One example of this is “Embrace,” a digital and print magazine. Smalls, who co-founded the magazine with Alexis Davis ’21, also serves as editor. The mission of the magazine is to curate authentic narratives of students.

“We want to capture, express, reflect and highlight the vibrancy, struggles, creativity and experiences of the intersectionality of underrepresented peoples,” Smalls said. “Our goal is to create a platform in which underrepresented students can see a representation of themselves on campus and within society.”

Smalls also sits on the college’s Board of Trustees. As the student trustee, she aims to take her knowledge and experiences and use them to aid the college’s efforts for sustainable social change.

“I hope that as a recipient, I can inspire my peers to follow after their desires and create initiatives that impact their communities.”

Yetunde Smalls ’21, on earning a Newman Civic Fellowship

“I’ve been on the board during the most critical moments of IC’s history, including the 125th anniversary celebration and the launching of the strategic plan,” she said. “I hope that my voice continues to amplify our mission to not only being student-centered, but also a model for all higher education.”

The Newman Fellowship is the next opportunity for Smalls to continue making an impact. And she’s grateful for the opportunity to deepen her understanding of methods of social change.

“Being awarded this fellowship is a humbling moment for me,” she said. “I hope that as a recipient, I can inspire my peers to follow after their desires and create initiatives that impact their communities.”