Bianca Juarez, a Philosophy major in the Honors Program, has earned a spot as one of the 2025-2026 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows, joining an esteemed group of students recognized for their outstanding leadership skills and their commitment to community engagement.
This fellowship provides students who have been identified as potential public leaders by their university president or chancellor with the opportunity to network with other rising leaders across the nation, receive one-on-one mentorship, and access a variety of development opportunities.
University of Houston-Downtown President Loren Blanchard nominated Juarez, writing, “Her vision is to empower the next generation of leaders to create a culture of civic engagement that drives positive change.”
Juarez has backed that vision with significant time invested in the Houston community and beyond. She served as chief of staff for the Houston Mayor’s Youth Council while in high school, and during that period, Juarez found several ways to encourage other young people to engage with politics by organizing voter registration drives and student town halls. She’s since broadened her influence by working with College Democrats of America and leading the student organization Youth for Civic Power, both of which aim to educate and empower voters. Other volunteer endeavors include working with students who have additional needs in elementary summer programs and running a non-profit that donates canes to low-income communities in Mexico. Juarez’s involvement also extends to UHD, where she currently serves the Undergraduate Student Government Association as the Community Outreach Chair.
Juarez sums up the ethos underpinning her efforts, explaining, “My commitment to service reflects a belief in building an inclusive future where all voices are heard, and the law is understood and upheld as our society depends on it. By empowering others and tackling root causes, I strive to create meaningful and lasting change in my community and beyond.”
With the Newman Civic Fellowship now part of her growing list of accomplishments, Juarez is poised to make an even greater impact in the years ahead. Her drive and vision mark her as one to watch.