Holy Cross Student Receives National Award for Leadership and Community Service

Iris Sanxhaku, a junior at the College of the Holy Cross, was named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact.  She is one of just 135 students from across the country chosen for the award, which recognizes inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. 

“Iris Sanxhaku has shown strong leadership and extraordinary skill and dedication in her efforts to address problems of poverty and marginalization in the community,” said Holy Cross President Michael C. McFarland, S.J. “She has been especially effective in bringing people together to help underserved segments of the population gain greater access to education, voting rights and other goods of society.  Her own story is inspiring in itself, and she has used her experience, along with her impressive talents and commitment, to make a major impact on the community.  All of us at Holy Cross are very proud of her and what she has accomplished.”

Since arriving at Holy Cross, Sanhaku has worked extensively with Let’s Get Ready, a college access program for low-income students. As its site director from 2009-10, Sanxhaku mobilized and supported volunteers to commit time each week to preparing high school students for the SAT tests.  In addition, Sanxhaku was a co-founder of the Coalition for Educated Options (CEO), an organization dedicated to providing the community with a voice through political dialogue, extensive outreach, and neighborhood-based forums. 

“I am so grateful for being recognized for doing something I love to do,” said Sanxhaku.  “The opportunity to meet people with similar interests through the Newman Civic Fellows program is very exciting.  I’m looking forward to finding ways to collaborate on future service projects and making an even bigger impact in our communities.”

A political science major with a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies, Sanxhaku also has served as an intern with the Lawyers Committee For Civil Rights Under Law (Washington D.C.), supporting their initiatives for voters’ rights.  She has received numerous awards for community service including the Meredith D. Wesby Young Leader Award from the United Way of Central Massachusetts, and the Rising Star service award from the Worcester League of Women Voters.  Originally from Korca, Albania, she immigrated to the U.S. when she was six years-old. She grew up and currently resides in Worcester.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents—representing some 6 million students—who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. Through the Newman Civic Fellows Awards, college and university presidents acknowledge students with the ability and motivation to create lasting change in our communities. For more information about the Newman Civic Fellows, visit www.compact.org.