Greensboro College's Xypher Pino Selected as Inaugural 2024 North Carolina Civic Impact Fellow

by Matthew Johnson

Greensboro, NC (01/29/2024) — Greensboro College student, Xypher Pino (of Clemmons, NC), was selected as one of only eight students for the inaugural cohort of the North Carolina Civic Impact Fellowship (CIF). Sponsored by North Carolina Campus Engagement, this fellowship is a new statewide program that recognizes exceptional students with demonstrated civic engagement leadership abilities and empowers them to design a project to create a meaningful impact on their campus' civic life.

Xypher was nominated for this honor by Greensboro College President, Dr. Lawrence Czarda, and Greensboro College administrators.

Xypher is a sophomore majoring in Biology. He is an active participant in the civic life of the Greensboro College campus community as an honors student and a volunteer with the campus Village 401 Office. During his time on campus thus far, Xypher has made a true impact as a co-Hunger Ambassador for the NC Collegiate Hunger Challenge, where he helped lead the Greensboro College team to victory in securing the Overall Grand Prize of $10,000 for the campus food pantry. Xypher is also a 2023 Community Impact Student Award Recipient.

As a leader among students, Xypher has positioned himself to inspire his peers to serve and get involved on campus and make a difference, particularly in efforts to alleviate food insecurity.

In his Letter of Support for Xypher's nomination to the Fellowship, President Czarda stated that, "[Xypher] is deeply committed to his work and an inspiration to so many." President Czarda also noted that because of Xypher's dedication, he has made a meaningful and tangible difference at Greensboro College by motivating students, faculty, and staff to serve and volunteer.

From January 2024 to May 2025, Xypher and his CIF cohort will dive into a transformative fellowship curriculum that will equip them with professional skills and leadership development training. Their Fellowship term includes participation in a Citizen Redefined Leadership Camp, developed by Citizen University (CU), a national nonprofit dedicated to spreading a belief that a strong democracy relies on strong citizens-that we all have the power to make change happen in civic life, and the responsibility to try. Citizen University is also providing funding support for the Fellow's projects.

With these tools, the NC Civic Impact Fellows will be prepared to advocate for the advancement of civic growth within the campus community. As a key element of his fellowship responsibilities, Xypher will assess civic life on campus, and lead a project that he will design to improve a specific area of campus civic culture.

Greensboro College provides a liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and, spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs. Founded in 1838 and located in downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal arts program and six master's degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 19-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities. Learn more at greensboro.edu. Think critically. Act justly. Live faithfully.

North Carolina Campus Engagement (NCCE) is a collaborative network of 39 colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change, and strengthening democracy. The NC Campus Engagement state office fosters connections between campuses, shares best practice information and resources, recognizes outstanding work, and champions civic and community engagement in higher education. To learn more visit nccampusengagement.org.

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