This Pitt sophomore’s passion for community health won her a Newman Civic Fellowship

Avni Khandelwal, a sophomore biochemistry major in Pitt’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and David C. Frederick Honors College, received a 2026-27 Newman Civic Fellowship. This national honor from Campus Compact recognizes student leaders who are making a difference in their communities.

Khandelwal earned the honor for her dedicated service in youth leadership, health advocacy and community health research. In 2021, she founded curingwithCARE, a youth-led cancer awareness, research and education nonprofit that under her leadership has grown into an international organization with more than 50 chapters and 1,000 volunteers.

Her advocacy work also includes serving on the American Cancer Society’s National Campus and Youth Engagement Team, where she is helping to organize a Global Youth Cancer Conference.

In addition to her health advocacy, Khandelwal works as a research assistant with UPMC’s Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health, contributing to the OPT-IN and Project CHAT studies. She helped organize the Youth Thriving Summit for more than 800 students and serves as a youth leadership mentor and program director for The Pittsburgh Study’s Regional Youth Leadership Movement.

In her first year at Pitt, Khandelwal worked with peers in a Frederick Honors College Catalyst Communities course to establish a community garden in partnership with the Community Health Services Food Pantry to serve more than 2,000 residents in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Along with her biochemistry major, Khandelwal is pursuing certificates in Clinical Research and Conceptual Foundations in Medicine.

"Avni’s passion for service-learning and creating positive change embodies the spirit of our Frederick Honors College community," said Nicola Foote, dean of the Frederick Honors College. “It’s a tremendous recognition to be named a Newman Civic Fellow as a sophomore, and we look forward to fostering and supporting her growth as a developing civic leader.”

About the fellowship

Newman Civic Fellows participate in virtual and in-person learning opportunities, including monthly online leadership webinars, a mentorship program with a local mentor and competitive mini-grant funding for social impact projects. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarships and postgraduate opportunities to support their personal, professional and civic growth.

Photography provided by Avni Khandelwal