Junior Julisa Morones Luna: Newman Civic Fellow Committed to Helping Communities

UNT Dallas junior Julisa Morones Luna is active – and an activist. She is the university’s 2025-26 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow, an honor awarded to students who are committed to improving their communities and finding solutions to societal challenges. To be chosen for this prestigious fellowship, students must be nominated by their university president or chancellor.

“I’m interested in change and being a voice for people,” said Morones Luna. She is already doing just that by serving as SGA president and majoring in Justice and Social Policy. The last SGA president, Alexandra Renteria, was also a Newman Scholar. She inspired Morones Luna to seek the position.

Who will be our next Newman Civic Fellow? The time is now to apply. Students should fill out the application form and email it to courtney.rogers@untdallas.edu no later than 5 p.m. on March 27, 2026, after which candidates will be considered and one student will be chosen. University President Warren von Eschenbach will then sign a letter of support to be shared with Campus Contact. 

Morones Luna's fellowship will continue through the summer until the next group of Newman Scholars is announced in September. She has plenty to keep her busy until then. Although Morones Luna won't graduate for another 15 months, she is already studying for the LSAT exam in April, charting her path beyond her undergraduate degree to law school. Eventually, Morones Luna plans to run for elected office, where she can influence change through legislation and drive reform that uplifts marginalized voices.

In the meantime, her focus is on the current academic year and fulfilling her many and wide-ranging responsibilities. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a yearlong program offering learning and networking opportunities that help nurture future community leaders. The goal is to empower students like Morones Luna to collaborate effectively and create large-scale positive change.

Video: Watch Julisa's Message About Her Newman Experience and Meeting Other Civic Fellows

“These students exemplify the power and possibility of civic and community engagement on campus. As they emerge as the leaders of tomorrow, we are proud that this fellowship will be part of their story,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “From a variety of institutions and with diverse backgrounds and experiences, these Fellows represent a bright future for public problem solving."

The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers skill-building and networking over three days. Morones Luna participated in the gathering in October in Chicago. “It was my first time flying alone,” she said proudly.

The Newman program also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive opportunities, including mini-grants to help fund scholarships and post-graduate opportunities. Morones Luna recently received a $1,500 stipend to help fund her community service activities. They include voter registration drives, which encourage citizens to engage in the election process. “I’m deputized to register people,” she said.

Morones Luna, 20, is a first-generation college student from Austin. She is one of five sisters, which familiarized her with the power of young women – so much so that she joined an organization called Ignite and founded its chapter on the UNT Dallas campus. “It’s for women in politics,” Morones Luna said.

Service is a theme that runs through Morones Luna’s family. Her two older sisters work at schools and, while her mother and father always encouraged her education. “My parents have always been supportive,” she said. “It was scary at first  because I got homesick.” Now, Morones Luna visits her family in Austin regularly and has fully adjusted to campus life. She said her parents “want her to reach her goals.”

If her junior year is any indication, Morones Luna has already accomplished many goals. And with the additional knowledge and skills gained through the Newman Civic Fellowship, she is sure to achieve much more in the months and years to come.

Reminder: March 27, 2026, is the deadline for students interested in applying for the 2026-27 UNT Dallas Newman Scholar opportunity.