Madison House is thrilled to share that Emma Hinson, track director for Animals & Environmental Services, has been named a 2025–2026 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition advancing the public purposes of higher education. The fellowship recognizes student leaders across the country who are tackling community challenges with creativity, empathy, and sustained commitment.
“Community is everything,” Emma says.
Emma grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and came to UVA to pursue the Human Biology Distinguished Major Program, where she combines biology with bioethics—a blend that bridges STEM and the humanities. Long interested in the health professions, she initially thought she might become a veterinarian and even worked as a vet assistant in high school. That experience was invaluable and clarifying.
“I loved caring for animals,” she reflects, “but I realized I wanted a clinical path where I could focus on prevention and see patients thrive over time.”
Emma volunteers for remote area medical dental clinics
She found the right fit in dentistry with comprehensive, patient-facing care that connects oral health to overall health. “No one should think of dental care as a luxury,” Emma notes. “It’s essential, and it can change life trajectories.”
She’s especially motivated by research links between oral health and cardiovascular disease and emerging connections to Alzheimer’s—and by the stark reality that many families still lack access because dental care is often carved out of medical insurance or depicted as a frill.
Like many first-year students, Emma arrived at UVA with a plan that didn’t go exactly as expected. Having missed the early deadline to be matched in a Health and Medical Services Program through Madison House, she pivoted towards the Animals and Environment program track. It gave her the opportunity to get off UVA Grounds and maintain her passion for caring for animals. First, she volunteered with Gallastar Farms. Then, in her second year, she became the Program Director before becoming Head Program Director (HPD) for all Animals and Environment programs during her third year.
Emma began volunteering with Animals & Environment programs at Madison House in her first year and has worked her way up to track director.
Despite her more logistical role as track director now, Emma has built close partnerships with shelter staff and nonprofit leads, helping to align student energy with real needs. This year, the staff at Gallastar Farms even threw her a surprise birthday party, complete with a card signed by her favorite animals.
She’s also worked with the Madison House team to bridge the gap between what partners hope student volunteers can do and what’s realistic for college schedules. That kind of expectation-setting has made the work more reliable for partners and more meaningful for students. “The average volunteer doesn’t always see the operations side,” Emma explains.
During her tenure as HPD, Emma has overseen nine programs, including two that she helped launch. Hogs & Kisses is a partnership that brings students to a local sanctuary to support animal care and facility projects. She also expanded the relationship with the SPCA to include a Fluvanna County location. Emma noticed that the Charlottesville SPCA had a surplus of Madison House volunteers and successfully redirected students to where they are needed most.
Emma has a genuine desire to care for others, whether they have feet or paws.
This year, Emma was selected by UVA to be honored as a Newman Civic Fellow. The year‑long program includes expert-led seminars, peer learning, and an in‑person convening in Chicago, where Fellows compare notes on what’s working in their communities. Emma’s cohort spans community colleges, graduate programs, and undergraduate institutions nationwide, offering a powerful reminder that good ideas come from everywhere.
Early workshop sessions introduced topics including leadership journeys from guest speakers and opportunities to build bridges across campuses. Emma quickly began forming connections with peers in the cohort, including a fellow pre-dental student from Tennessee.
“It’s been great finding people with similar paths, connecting with people from all over, and forming a community over it,” she says.
That sense of connection deepened when Emma recently traveled to Chicago the weekend of October 18–19 for the in-person convening of the Newman Civic Fellows—an experience that left her with lasting impressions and new insights into civic leadership.
Emma shares three key takeaways from the conference :
First, she was reminded of the power of community. She shares, “In our line of work, things can feel overwhelming and emotionally draining, especially when we’re dealing with heavy topics. But being able to come together, share, and celebrate each other’s work was unexpectedly healing. It reminded me that we’re not alone in this.”
Second, she was inspired by the exchange of ideas across campuses. “I learned so much from other universities’ programs,” says Emma. “There are ideas we could definitely bring to UVA, and I saw ways our Madison House model could inspire others too. It was exciting to see students from across the country genuinely interested in what we’re doing here.”
Finally, she came away with a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways people engage in service. “Civic engagement and service look different for everyone,” remarks Emma. Each person brings unique strengths, and all of them are needed to create real change in our communities.”
“I’m kind of all over the place,” Emma laughs, commenting on her history of service in tutoring, medical services, and with animals. However, a throughline is clear. Emma’s has a genuine desire to care for others—whether they have two legs or four—and to build a strong and supportive community.
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By Cecilia Murphy