Provided

Davi Mozie, middle, is a 2014-15 Civic Leader Fellow.

The Cornell Public Service Center and Engaged Learning + Research announced Clara Butler (“Backpack Program at Southside Community Center"), Ross Haarstad (“The Democracy Project. An Initiative of Theatre Incognita") and Edward Moran (“Technology for All Initiative”) have been chosen 2015-16 recipients of the Cornell Civic Leaders Fellowship program.

Leaders will be recognized and welcomed by students, faculty and staff Sept. 11 at the 2014-15 Civic Leader Fellows’ presentation of their project.

The Cornell Civic Leaders Fellowship Program enables leaders involved in economic and community development efforts to work collaboratively with faculty, students and staff on projects that address community-identified needs by strengthening current or adding new community capacities. The program is co-sponsored by the Cornell Community and Regional Development Institute and Engaged Learning + Research.

The 2014-15 Civic Leader Fellows are:

Davi Mozie, whose project, "Healthy Manhood Initiative," aimed to shift social norms and promote a healthy and respectful definition of manhood. Mozie worked with male youth between ages of 12-18. The projects goals were to decrease incidences of bullying, sexual, intimate partner and youth violence, as well as to increase engagement and community support.

Khalil Bey, Arts in Motion, aimed to advance art awareness in the Ithaca community by engaging young artists in workshops at Southside Community Center, GIAC, local high schools and middle schools, and in youth detention centers to help them learn how to “communicate their truth” through art. Bey worked with youth from 7-19 to help them learn how to “negotiate instead of manipulate” their way through life using art as a way to connect with their thoughts and feelings.

Marisa Matsudaira, Rural Outreach Program, targeted children who live in rural Tompkins County communities whose families have limited financial and transportation means to access enrichment and supportive services for children with emotional and behavioral problems. The program connected Cornell student interns with troubled rural youth, providing case management, mentoring and social skill development groups to aid youths.

The Civic Leaders Fellowship was established to expand and improve university-community collaborations. Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend for their initiatives and the fellowship provides an opportunity for community leaders, college students and faculty to learn from each other to solve complex, pressing needs in the community.

The Civic Leader Fellows presentation will take place on Friday, Sept. 11, at 3:30 p.m. at 102 Mann Library. Free and open to the public but an RSVP is requested: https://orgsync.com/107471/events/1091544/occurrences/2440143.