LaRodge Johnson-Miller, a Rutgers University–Camden double major in marketing and photography, will join students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico as part of the 2024-2025 Newman Civic Fellows cohort.
The Newman Civic Fellowship selects student leaders among colleges and universities committed to affecting positive change in their communities. The yearlong program, coordinated by the higher education coalition Campus Compact, connects Newman Civic Fellows with learning and networking opportunities to foster their growth as civic leaders.
In nominating Johnson-Miller, Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis cited Johnson-Miller’s engagement with Camden-based organizations in which she has used the arts as a catalyst for social change. Johnson-Miller apprenticed for A New View Camden, a citywide initiative that brought attention to illegal dumping through public art installations. She later established the We Live Here artist collective, where members’ murals, signs, and banners have beautified Camden’s public spaces. “LaRodge is always working to bring a greater understanding of the role that art can play in bringing individuals and communities together and is an inspiring student leader for the Rutgers–Camden community,” Chancellor Tillis said.
“All of my experiences have emphasized how critical art can be not only aesthetically, but also as a means for recording history and building community engagement,” Johnson-Miller said. “I believe that art is an important tool for my own personal growth as an activist and for the development of my community of Camden.”
A Bonner Civic Scholar, Johnson-Miller serves on the Rutgers–Camden Student Government Association the Office of Climate Action Student Advisory Board.
