Checking in With Newman Civic Fellow Adam Simon ’26
Building bridges between Whitman College and the disability community
By Loela Dickey ’25
Whitman College junior Adam Simon loves people. It’s a clear thread through the work he began as a first-year student, volunteering with adults who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, to his chosen major of Psychology to his postgraduate plans to pursue a career in social work.
Simon is this year’s recipient of the Newman Civic Fellowship from Campus Compact, a national nonprofit organization that aims to support civic and community engagement in higher education. The yearlong program recognizes and supports students at Campus Compact member institutions who are dedicated to addressing problems within their communities.
Simon was nominated for his work as last year’s Buddy Program Leader on Whitman’s Community Engagement Student Leader Team. The Buddy Program is a partnership with the Walla Walla Valley Disability Network, which connects Whitman students with adults in the community who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
“The way he shows up to events with energy and enthusiasm sets the tone and fosters true community building,” wrote President Sarah Bolton in Simon’s nomination letter. “Adults with disabilities are often overlooked due to ableism. He is creating a community and a space in which all members of the program have agency and a voice.”
As a junior, Simon has continued his work with the Community Engagement Student Leader Team, now as the Community Engagement Leader for Nonprofit and Community Partnerships for the Fall 2024 semester. In this role, he supports student leaders of several community programs, including the Buddy Program, the Stream Team and the Food Justice Project. He also continues to volunteer for the Buddy Program and other social impact programs on his own time, including mentoring an elementary school student through the Whitman Friends Program since his first year at Whitman.
“I love being able to engage in so many different areas and know that the Newman Fellowship supports me as a leader in all the work that I do,” he says.
Inspired Action
Simon was drawn to the Buddy Program in his first year at Whitman. He was intrigued by the opportunity to meet new people and felt instantly connected to the work. He was concerned about how those with mental and physical differences may be overlooked or pushed to the periphery of society.
The Buddy Program aims to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by combating isolation and breaking down social barriers. Whitman students meet once a month with their community buddies for activities such as dances, movie nights, crafts and bowling.
“I love being able to engage in so many different areas and know that the Newman Fellowship supports me as a leader in all the work that I do.
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Adam Simon ’26
On the first day he attended the program, he became the buddy to a woman who only spoke Spanish. As a Spanish-speaker himself, Simon was able to connect with her when others were unable to.
Simon observes that the program is fun for students too and helps them challenge their assumptions about people with disabilities, pushing them to discover how much they have in common.
Building Strategies for Social Change
One of the most memorable experiences Simon has had through the Newman Civic Fellowship was the convening of this year’s fellows in Chicago in November.
“The opportunity to connect with so many different dedicated changemakers … was deeply inspiring and a great reminder of the many different ways we can and need to approach social issues from various perspectives to enact change,” Simon says.
The conference also allowed him to learn about the many career paths that exist in the field of social work.
“I can’t even express how powerful it was to connect with so many student leaders from across the nation and engage meaningfully in various workshops,” he says.
What Comes Next
Simon says that his work with the Buddy Program has supported his learning as a Psychology major by allowing him to more critically examine how psychology can relate to and inform social work. He plans to continue his work in direct support after graduating, perhaps pursuing a master’s degree in social work.
“Adam asks important questions about the root causes behind social injustices that he encounters, and he seeks opportunities to address these injustices in positive ways,” President Bolton continued in her nomination. “He has internalized the importance of community and the collective responsibility we all have to support one another.”
For interested Whitman students, applications for the Buddy Program open at the beginning of each semester. Sign up using the Community Engagement Universal Volunteer Application or reach out to buddyprogram@whitman.edu to learn more.