Announcing the 2016-17 VISTA Host Sites!

We are thrilled to continue work with many of our host sites and partners and to establish new VISTA host sites in the coming project year. Below are summaries of projects VISTA members will undertake at these 14 sites.

America Reads and Counts in partnership with
Duke University
Durham, NC
Focus Area: Education

The Duke Community Service Center (CSC) serves as a clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities available to Duke students and employees. The VISTA will help the Duke Community Service Center (CSC) further deepen relationships with partner schools and community agencies through a new program - Partners in Print (Print Pals). Print Pals is a family literacy program aimed at Latino parents and children here in Durham area. The program will provide a supportive environment where parents can discover how to help their children learn to read. Print Pal mentors will conduct evening workshops with parents and children, grades Kindergarten-2nd. The VISTA will also coordinate Print Pals sessions and volunteers, as well as complementary CSC events and programs that align with the Partners in Print Program, including National Make a Difference Day, Dive Into Durham alternative spring break, and Dr. Seuss Day.

Community Empowerment Fund in partnership with 

UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Focus area: Economic Opportunity

The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) cultivates opportunities, assets, and communities that support the alleviation of homelessness and poverty. CEF is a student-led nonprofit organization based at UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University. CEF’s structure is based on the realization of a dual mission: empowering members to sustain transitions out of homelessness and developing student leadership. At CEF the VISTA will help address the need for 1) relationship- based support that leads to greater economic opportunity for individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness; 2) access to financial services for low-income households, and; 3) a broader, more tightly-woven social safety net for poor households in North Carolina. The goal of this project is to increase the capacity and effectiveness of CEF’s Advocate Program

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

Two VISTA members will be hosted by ECU’s Volunteer and Service-Learning Center (VSLC). In addition to the campus and community-based work below, these members will support campus and community-wide day of service events, including MLK Day of Service.

Partner: West Greenville community agencies

Focus Area: Education

This VISTA project will capitalize on the strengths of ECU and the west Greenville community, specifically Third Street and Lucille W. Gorham Inter-Generational Community Centers. The VISTA will build the capacity for both centers to address community needs related to education and youth development for K-8 low-income youth and families and strengthen the west Greenville community partnerships and community as a whole.

Partner: Greenville Harvest
Focus Area: Healthy Futures

The VISTA will be hosted by the Department of Nutrition Science. VISTA will work to build relationships and help support reciprocal benefits among the Greenville community, specifically through Greenville Harvest partners, a local network of community gardens and affiliated agencies. The VISTA will support collaboration and partnership development among network partners, including the university. The VISTA will plan and deploy community engagement activities centered on healthy lifestyles and healthy communities.

Feast Down East in partnership with
UNC Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Feast Down East (FDE) is a university affiliated non-profit with a mission to join institutions, community-based agencies, farmers, and businesses to support, coordinate and expand the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of local foods. The VISTA placement supports FDE’s Food Sovereignty Program, which brings fresh, local produce via weekly fresh markets and produce boxes to four Wilmington Housing Authority neighborhoods. In addition to bringing fresh produce to these identified food deserts, the Food Sovereignty program engages resident leaders and UNCW volunteers in the operation and promotion of the markets, supports nutrition/garden programs for both adults and children. The VISTA will continue to oversee and improve the markets, train resident leaders and volunteers, and work with partner organizations including the WHA to plan for sustainability.

                                     Guilford College in partnership with the Guilford College Farm
Greensboro, NC
Focus Area: Healthy Futures

In Guilford County, 89,000 people do not have enough food to eat and 30 percent of them are children. In May 2011, the USDA designated 15 census tracts in Guilford County as “food deserts.” Nine are in the city of Greensboro and six are in High Point. Food deserts are census tracts where at least 33 percent of residents live more than one mile from a full-service grocery store and more than 20 percent of residents live below the poverty line. The Bonner Center at Guilford College works with community partners in every food desert in Greensboro. The immigrant and refugee community is especially hard hit. The VISTA will work with students and community partners to facilitate collaborative efforts to increase access to healthy food in the city’s food deserts. 

High Point University High Point, NC 

Three VISTAs will be hosted by High Point University’s Service Learning Program, which is home to the Bonner Leaders Program. In addition to their community-based work described below, the VISTAs will help develop trainings and supports for Bonner students who also serve with local agencies. The VISTA will also help energize campus and community members to participate in the MLK Day of Service.


Partner: West End Ministries
Focus Area: Healthy Futures

This VISTA’s work will take place on campus and in the community with West End Ministries (WEM), a non-profit agency that provides services such as emergency assistance and adult life skill classes. The VISTA will improve WEM's volunteer coordination and training systems to support the agency's emergency assistance program. The VISTA will also help make healthy food more available to WEM clients by developing a community garden with local stakeholders.

Partner: Washington St. Project
Focus Area(s): Healthy Futures, Education

Two VISTA members will work with the Washington St. Project, emphasizing local food security and youth development. One VISTA will create and execute a neighborhood food plan, including a needs analysis and asset mapping to increase resident access to healthy foods through community gardening and a fresh market. The second VISTA will work to grow local afterschool enrichment programs, including a community writing center, and to increase other educational programs for residents.

Hospitality House of Boone in partnership with Appalachian State University

Boone, NC
Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

Hospitality House of Boone serves people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in Watauga County. The goal of the VISTA project is to strengthen the Welcome Home Thriftique store, which provides an earned income funding source for Hospitality House, acts as a resource for services to meet client needs and serves as a job skills training site for residents and outreach clients. The VISTA will lead all aspects of Thriftique operation, including volunteer management, and will continue development of a job skills training program. To carry out these activities, the VISTA will also collaborate with the ASU ACT Office.


Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History
in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

The Jackson Center is a community-based advocacy organization serving historically African-American and low-income neighborhoods in Chapel Hill through public history, civic media, and community action. The center will host two VISTAs to support its work.

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity
The Community Organizing and Advocacy VISTA will support the development of Jackson Center programs that serve the housing and economic needs of local low-income residents. Key activities include the maintenance and expansion of service partnerships with university units (including the Communications Studies department), enhancement of community programs to serve housing needs, volunteer recruitment and coordination, database maintenance, and the development of new neighborhood advocacy networks to pair long-term residents with students and community advocates.

Focus area: Education
The Education VISTA will strengthen ongoing partnerships with 6 area schools to implement “Learning Here and Now Across Generations” -- a curriculum aligned with NC course of study standards to focus on civil rights, oral history, and cross-generational education-- designed to engage and support learning of at-risk students. The VISTA will connect with university experts and develop a cadre of resident educators.


North Carolina Wesleyan College in partnership with Peacemakers
Rocky Mount, NC
Focus Area: Education

North Carolina Wesleyan College has a special commitment to the Rocky Mount area and to eastern North Carolina. The VISTA will focus on improving educational and behavioral outcomes for at-risk students in low-achieving schools by formally connecting North Carolina Wesleyan College to Peacemakers. This organization contains four structured educational programs in need of volunteer support in order to carry out its mission, part of which is to provide an affirming environment where low-income elementary and middle school students receive tutoring and other academic enrichment services at no charge.

In addition to this direct work with Peacemaker’s the VISTA will enhance volunteer recruitment efforts to engage NCWC students, faculty and staff into education-related community service projects that may be available with other organizations by creating a database of opportunities and a service placement process for groups and individuals. The VISTA will also create effective recruitment materials and strategies by first hosting campus focus groups and researching best practices.



S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation
in partnership with Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC
Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

The Simon Green Atkins Community Development Corporation (Atkins CDC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization created by Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) in 1998 and named after its founder. The mission is to be a catalyst for community economic development and to create community engagement opportunities for the WSSU faculty and students. The CDC is supported by a full-time staff of three and an advisory board of local community members, businesses, and University faculty and staff.

The VISTA project will provide the Host’s primary community-based outreach working daily on increasing community engagement with the guidance and support of faculty, students and stakeholders from the partner organization. The CDC staff will supervise and provide resources for the work of the VISTA including necessary training to be successful. Two primary objectives are to convene neighborhood associations and stakeholders as a “congress” working toward common goals such as training to build capacity and membership of associations, establishing a merchants association, facilitating a community-wide event such as a community day featuring health, safety, and employment information and a community-wide clean up event.



UNC-Greensboro in partnership with BackPack Beginnings
Greensboro, NC
Focus Area: Healthy Futures

At UNC-Greensboro, the VISTA member will be hosted by the Office and Leadership and Service-Learning, which serves as a catalyst for the development of experiential curricular and co-curricular leadership and service-learning initiatives. The VISTA will focus on food insecurity and access to healthy food in Guilford County by supporting a developing partnership with Backpack Beginnings, by supporting an emerging on-campus Food Security Network, and by increasing awareness of food security issues on campus and in the community.



UNC-Greensboro in partnership with Degrees Matter
Greensboro, NC
Focus Area: Education

Degrees Matter! is a collaborative initiative working to find and assist the more than 67,000 residents of Guilford County who have some college but have yet to complete a degree or certification. Degrees Matter! is leading the effort to reach the community-wide goal of adding, by 2025, 40,000 new degree holders in the county. The VISTA placement will focus on outreach and partnership development by increasing connections to key constituencies and organizations, including childcare and early education providers, faith-based groups, and agencies providing services to low-income individuals.



Western Carolina University in partnership withThe Community Table
Cullowhee, NC
Focus Area: Healthy Futures

The goal for this VISTA project is to strengthen relationships between WCU, the Community Table, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) and the Local Food and Farm to School Education Program; to build capacity at the Community Table and ASAP/LFFSEP, and to raise awareness about food insecurity in Western NC. The project aims to provide the Community Table and ASAP/LFFSEP with the food resources necessary to meet customers’ needs, to train and manage volunteers, and to enhance publicity and outreach efforts. The project is also intended to increase awareness of food insecurity issues on campus and in the wider community.

William Peace University in partnership with Hope Charter
Raleigh, NC
Focus Area: Education

Currently Hope Charter does not have interventions outside of what our classroom teachers can offer. In an attempt to increase EOG test scores we would like to implement a program in which volunteers would assist with providing leveled interventions for struggling learners. The VISTA will be charged with working closely with WPU staff, faculty, and students to build initiatives for Hope and to communicate between the service-site and WPU. This position will provide both education about service-learning and the connections and an added resource for faculty interested in building service learning into coursework. Through VISTA we’ll be working towards closing the achievement gap and increasing test scores at Hope.

2016-17 Cohort Now Accepting Applications!

Now Accepting Applications for 2016-2017 VISTA Members!

Are you ready to serve North Carolina? Come make a difference with us!

NC Campus Compact is now accepting applications from candidates for 2016-2017 AmeriCorps VISTA positions. Our next VISTA cohort will begin on August 5, 2016 and will serve one full year.

To learn more about our program and the application process, visit our FAQ page for Prospective VISTAs.

Please visit our position listing on my.americorps.gov when you are ready to create your AmeriCorps application and begin our application process.

According to Opportunity Index, 17.5% North Carolinians live in poverty. Low income communities face many challenges, including access to healthy food, employment, and education resources.

Our VISTA members serve North Carolina's most vulnerable people by working with local community agencies and college campuses to address the needs of low income communities. Our VISTAs serve at 15 different sites across the state, from Cullowhee to Wilmington and many places in between! Placement locations will be finalized soon, come back to learn more!

As a VISTA, you could be involved in many different capacity-building activities. For example, you may:

• Prepare a community needs and assets evaluation
• Develop a new program that benefits low-income community members
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers
• Write grants or organize fundraisers to bring new resources to your organization
• Support citizen and student leadership and participation in service
• Plan national service day events
• Facilitate service-learning placements, community-based research, and co-curricular opportunities that support communities

Want to know more? You can read more about our VISTA's experience in their own words right here on the blog!

Lead the way-Be a NC Campus Compact VISTA Leader!

NC Campus Compact is now accepting applications from candidates for a 2015-2016 NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader.  VISTA Leaders work with the VISTA program coordinator to support NC Campus Compact VISTAs serving in community that addresses local needs in one of three areas: education (K-12 success or access to post-secondary education), economic opportunity (housing or financial literacy), or healthy futures (food security). 

NC Campus Compact VISTA members work to develop partnerships between universities and community partners that address these issues by mobilizing campus resources, including student volunteers, faculty and staff expertise, or financial/in-kind contributions. Please click here to learn about our 2015-2016 VISTA members and projects.

To apply and learn more about the process please click here.

The VISTA Leader will support the current cohort of 17 VISTA members whose terms began in August 2015. The VISTA Leader will play a key role in recruiting new members for the 2016-2017 year. Other duties include, but are not limited to, advising members to ensure VISTA project success; managing performance measurement system for monthly VISTA reporting, providing summaries, and assisting with submission of CNCS reporting; enhancing member communication with calls, emails, and site visits; and co-coordinating training and presentations.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have one full year of prior VISTA service to apply. Strong candidates will have: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree; experience with college service programs and programs serving low-income adults and/or youth; strong writing and organizational skills; knowledge of social media platforms and MS Office products. The VISTA Leader role demands passion for the VISTA mission of fighting poverty and for the Campus Compact vision of higher education as a path to active citizenship. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or have permanent legal resident status. The VISTA Leader will serve at the Compact’s office in Elon, NC, on the campus of Elon University. Elon University is a selective, independent university renowned as a national model for engaged learning. Learn more at www.nccampuscompact.org. 

CNCS benefits include: Education award upon successful completion of service, health coverage,  living allowance,  professional development,  relocation allowance,  childcare assistance if eligible. NC Campus Compact offers an additional living stipend to support the VISTA Leader.

The start date for the position is flexible, but is expected to be be filled by mid-January. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

In addition to the online application, please send a letter of interest and a current resume to Program Coordinator Carolyn Byrne at cbyrne3@elon.edu.

VISTA Alumni Network Newsletter- Fall 2015 Edition

Check out our latest edition of the VISTA Alumni Network Newsletter! This issue contains news from our NC Campus Compact Network, highlights the work of our VISTAs and also has announcements of potential alumni involvement.

Read the newsletter by clicking here!

Orientation 2015: Starting Off on the Right Foot

Learning. Serving. Bonding. These three words perfectly summarize the month of August for our 2015-16 cohort of VISTAs.

This year North Carolina Campus Compact welcomed twelve new members and welcomed back five returners. Read more about our members here and about this year’s projects and host sites here.

VISTAs are young professionals who have dedicated a year of service in a low income community to build the capacity of an organization meeting certain needs of that particular community. Our VISTAs are at both colleges/universities as well as community partner organizations. The members started off their year with lots of learning, from the intensive on-site orientation planned by their hosts to the various webinars and orientation we provide as supplements to equip them with what they may need for their year of service.

VISTAs at PSO 

All new members to the VISTA program must attend a Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) hosted by the Corporation of National and Community Service. Our new members attended one from August 3rd to 6th in Atlanta, GA where they spent an intensive four days of learning about poverty in the United States, familiarizing themselves with their detailed Volunteer Assignment Descriptions (VADs), and meeting many other VISTAs from all over the country. On August 5th, VISTA program coordinator Carolyn Byrne and VISTA Leader Catherine Casteel, traveled to Atlanta to meet with this enthusiastic cohort. They met during lunch and dinner, and it was the first time the entire team got a chance to meet each other, and learn more about Campus Compact and the history of civic engagement in higher education institutions. Carolyn and Catherine gave the VISTAs a chance to get to know one another and later facilitated a discussion about exploring the history of university-community relationships in the places they will be serving. The VISTAs definitely left Atlanta excited about learning and serving at their sites!

After being sworn in on August 6th, the VISTAs traveled straight back to their placements to begin their year of service on August 7th. It was also the last day of service for our outgoing VISTAs, so some of our new members were able to meet their predecessors and get some last minute, on-the-ground advice. Our returning members just rolled into their second year on the very same day. The host sites conduct their own on-site orientations that allow the VISTAs to shift from learning broader themes to and settle into their specific assignments for the year. NC Campus Compact also hosted two webinars in the weeks that followed, covering topics such as asset based community entry, performance measures and monthly reports and preparing the VISTAs for the upcoming orientation at Elon University.

This year, for the first time, Campus Compact hosted our VISTAs for a two-day training at Elon on

VISTA Natasha Vos sharing her Impact Story

August 27th to 28th. The two days were filled with workshops of different topics presented by both staff and guest speakers. The goals of having an intense two-day orientation were to allow the members ample opportunity to bond with each other as a cohort, learn more about specific topics and tools that they will need to succeed in their year, and also hear from experts in the field. Each carefully planned session was made better by the eager participation, great questions, and thoughtful reflections from all the VISTAs. August 27th started bright and early as our members drove in from all corners of North Carolina. After introductions, our five returning VISTAs shared their IMPACT stories- a summary of their year of service with both highlights and challenges and projects that they are proud of. Shannon Barr, (High Point University), Justin Brantley (Feast Down East), Meghan Engstran (Meredith College), Matthew Kauffmann (Community Empowerment Fund) and Natasha Vos (Wake Forest University) had different approaches to their presentations but each highlighted the importance of clear communication and innovation when faced with any challenges. Hearing of real experiences allowed the new members get a perspective on their year ahead and gave them the opportunity to ask questions.

Over the two days the NC Campus Compact staff led different workshop sessions that were both informative and interactive. VISTA Program Coordinator, Carolyn Byrne, led thought provoking sessions on Cultural Competency, setting goals for the year, the importance of self-reflection and revisiting the topics discussed at PSO. Chad Fogleman, NC Campus Compact Assistant Director, offered information about theories of change and logic models which led perfectly into VISTA Leader, Catherine’s session on performance measurements and the importance both numbers and narratives as they reported each month on their progress. VISTA leader, Perdita Das also led a session on project and event management on the second day to conclude the orientation. The sessions gave the VISTAs a chance to break out into their focus areas (Education, Economic Opportunity, and Healthy Futures), and have meaningful discussions and share experiences.

Workshop presenters at orientation

We were very excited to hear from an array of guest speakers over the course of the two days as well. We welcomed back three VISTA alums, Sara Acosta (2010-12), Derald Dryman (2010-13), and Mariel Steinbeiser (2010-11), to join us for lunch the first day to share their experiences. We were also excited to welcome Dr. Robert Korstad, professor of Public Policy and History at Duke University who talked about the North Carolina Fund and some statistics on the poverty in North Carolina. He was joined by Adrienne Harreveld, Program Coordinator for the Research Network on Racial and Ethnic Inequality. On August 28th, we welcomed Hudson Vaughn and George Barrett (who served as a VISTA last year) from the Marian Cheek Jackson Center in Chapel Hill, who led a fun session on creative tips and best practices of effective community partnership development. We also had Mary Morrison, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement at Elon University, lead an energetic workshop on student volunteer recruitment, management, and recognition. Hearing from those with such extensive experience in the field gave our VISTAs knowledge and confidence as they embark on their own journey of this new experience.

Apart from these thrilling workshops, the VISTAs had an opportunity to serve together as well. On the morning of the second day, the VISTAs along with the VISTA leaders and program coordinator , had the opportunity to work on a house with Habitat for Humanity of Alamance County in Burlington.  It was a beehive of activity as they shoveled around the foundation, cut boards, picked up glass and much more. Although it was only an hour and a half, the large group of volunteers helped Habitat take care of many small assignments in one day and the VISTAs learned more about Habitat, their application process, the volunteer hours needed per house and as they reflected when they returned to Elon, they wanted to "know more" and it "made them feel more together as a cohort."

The VISTAs serving with Habitat for Humanity

The two days were long, fun, full of conversations and laughter and a great start for a great year. As the members reflected upon the orientation, they shared words like "cohort," "support," "knowledge" and "inspiration." We are inspired too and cannot wait to see what this year brings. Good luck VISTAs! 

Meet the 2015-16 VISTAs!

We are excited to introduce our 2015-16 cohort of NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTAs who started their first day of service today. We have thirteen new members, who were selected from over a pool of over 85 candidates, and we also have five returning members as well. Our brand new VISTAs returned from PSO in Atlanta only yesterday and we are looking forward to having all our members at Elon University on August 27th-28th for a day and half of orientation. We thank all our members for their commitment to service and are looking forward to another inspiring year!

We asked our VISTAs to share a little more about themselves including what motivated them to become a NC Campus Compact VISTA, what they are looking forward to most this year and their favorite free time activities!


Shannon Barr

Host Site: High Point University

Partner Site: Washington Street Project

Focus Area: Education 

Hometown: Lexington Park, MD

Graduated from: High Point University with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology 

 I became a NC Campus Compact VISTA to contribute to a shift in campus culture, to increase access to educational opportunities for youth, and to gain skills that will serve me as I continue to pursue my passions after VISTA.

 I am looking forward to seeing the college students with whom I work continue to challenge themselves and grow.

 I love to hang out at local coffee shops or find local festivals, concerts, or spoken word poetry events going on in the Triad.

Victoria Binder

Host Site: 

High Point University

Partner Site: Washington Street Project

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Hometown: Pleasanton, CA

Graduated from: High Point University with a major in Business Administration

 Food insecurities in High Point, North Carolina motivated me to become a VISTA.

 Looking forward to working with the Washington St. Project to alleviate hunger through planting community gardens 

 Favorite free time activities: Hiking and traveling 

Justin Brantley

Host Site: Feast Down East

Partner Site: UNC Wilmington

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Home Town: Wilmington, NC

Graduated from: UNC Wilmington with a major in Public Sociology and

Minor in Psychology 

 I am re-enrolling as a second-year VISTA with NC Campus Compact out of my desire to learn more about the community to better serve it.

 I'm looking forward to reaching new beneficiaries at different sites.

 Favorite free time activity: playing guitar.

Elizabeth Busby

Host Site: Wake Forest University

Partner Site: Various Winston-Salem agencies

Focus Area: Education

Home Town: Fayetteville, NC

Graduated from: Wake Forest University with a major in History with and double minor in Politics and International Affairs, and English.

 I am passionate about economic justice, and intend to pursue a career in economic law.

 I am looking forward to strengthening financial literacy, advocacy, and economic justice tools within Winston-Salem this year.

 I like to read, blog, go on runs, and spend time with good friends in my free time.

Meghan Engstran

Host Site: Meredith College

Partner Site: Children’s Collaborative of Wake County

Focus Area: Education

Hometown: Andover, MN

Graduated from: University of Minnesota Duluth with a major 

in Political Science

 My desire to serve motivated me to become a NC Campus Compact VISTA and to serve a second year. 

 I am looking forward to continuing my project this year.

 I love water activities!  

Ethan Flynn

Host Site: Hospitality House of Boone

Partner Site: Appalachian State University

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

Home Town: Marion, NC

Graduated from: Appalachian State University with a major in Sociology

 Sociology has guided me toward social and human services. My choice to become an NC Campus Compact VISTA came from learning how this AmeriCorps program can help me continue the type of work I have passion for. 

 I am most looking forward to putting my best effort into making my project successful and enjoyable. I already love the organization I am going to be working for, and I couldn't be happier to begin something new with them. 

 In the cold months I snowboard as much as possible with a close group of friends. Being on a snowboard has been my getaway for the past few years, and I can't imagine living anywhere other than the mountains.

Rachel Glasser

Host Site: Marian Cheek Jackson Center

Partner Site:  UNC Chapel Hill Department of Communications

Focus Area: Education

Hometown: Columbia, SC

Graduated from: Furman University with a BA in English and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Wake Forest University with a MA in English

 I'm hoping to build a career in education and the nonprofit sector.

 I'm looking forward to growing as a writer, teacher, and activist, meeting new people, and using my education and expertise to impact my community.

 I like to read, run, and update my blog.

Erin Karpovich

Host Site: High Point University

Partner Sites: West End Ministries

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Home Town: Ramsey, NJ

Graduated from: High Point University with a major in Human Relations and minors in Non-Profit Leadership and Management, Spanish and Leadership.

 I enjoy community development and empowering others.

 I am looking forward to bridging gaps between the University and the city to increase involvement and understanding of both sides this year.

 I love to travel! :)

 I love meeting new people and am excited to share this experience with so many!

Matthew Kauffmann 

Host Site: Community Empowerment Fund

Partner Site: UNC Chapel Hill-NC Poverty Research Fund

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC 

Graduated from: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Philosophy 

 I'm passionate about civic engagement and higher education

 I'm looking forward to helping CEF with its strategic plan and with its data and analytics.

 Favorite free time activity: Running! 

Zachary Kopkin 

Host Site:  Marian Cheek Jackson Center

Partner Site: UNC Chapel Hill Department of Communications

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

Hometown: Marietta, GA

Graduated from: Appalachian State University with majors 

in Anthropology/Peace Studies and Civic Engagement

 Service-learning was an essential element of my college experience. 

 Looking forward to being involved in and learning alongside a new community, contributing to a very unique project and perspective on community that bridges past and present to advocate for justice.

 I like to hike and play the mandolin.

Allison Plitman

Host Site: UNCG Office of Leadership and Service-Learning

Partner Site: Backpack Beginnings

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Home Town: High Point, NC 

Graduated from: UNC-Asheville with a major in International Studies, and minors in Africana Studies and Sociology 

 My volunteering work in the larger Asheville community, including hosting volunteering events for my student clubs motivated me to become a VISTA. 

 Looking forward to having new experiences, growing as a person, and meeting new people most this year!

 I love to craft; I can etch glass, knit, crochet, make dream catchers, paint, etc.

Kenya Shakir

Host Site: Raleigh College Center

Partner Site: NC State University TRIO Programs

Focus Area: Education

Hometown: Fayetteville, NC

Graduated from: Eastern Carolina University with a major in Sociology

 Service motivated me to become a NC Campus Compact VISTA.

 I am looking forward to impacting the community and making connections this coming year. 

 I like to watch movies in my free time.

Lizzie Shepard

Host Site: East Carolina University

Partner Site: West Greenville Community Youth-Based Partners

Focus Area: Education

Hometown: Walkertown, NC

Graduated from: Queens University of Charlotte with a major in Psychology

 I enjoy giving back to the community and I was encouraged to join by a past VISTA.

 I am looking forward to help those in need and to be a positive role model while gaining experience this year.

 I like to spend time with friends in my free time.

Jade Umberger

Host Site:  East Carolina University

Partner Site: Greenville Harvest

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Home Town: Mt. Sterling, Illinois

Graduated From: Illinois State University with a major in Family & Consumer Sciences: Food, Nutrition, & Dietetics

 Volunteering on various Alternative Break trips in college, and my love of community and sharing resources motivated me to become a VISTA.

 I am looking forward to meeting new people and making a lasting impact this year.

 I enjoy reading (Game of Thrones, Harry Potter), making food for/with friends, and trying new things in my free time.

Natasha Vos

Host Site: Wake Forest University

Partner Site: Various Winston-Salem agencies

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Graduated from: North Carolina State University with a major in Animal Science and Poultry   Science

 My commitment to service and working as part of a university community to engage students motivated me to serve a second year as a NC Campus Compact VISTA.

 Looking forward to exploring more of Winston-Salem, expanding on Campus Kitchen partnerships and running a marathon this upcoming year.

 Favorite free time activity: Running. All of the running.

Rachena Webb

Host Site: Degrees Matter!

Partner Site: Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Focus Area: Education

Hometown: Raleigh, NC 

Graduated from: Eastern Washington University with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in African Studies 

 I loved working as a VISTA making a difference  in my local community  and I felt  that  being a NC Campus  Compact VISTA I could help build a stronger relationship  between college campuses  and the local community. 

 I believe that if we can educate the community that we are in, then it will be easier to mobilize ourselves for change.

 I am excited about working at my site because I am passionate about my agency’s mission. 

 I am looking forward to building better relationships with the parents and colleges as well as following the success of all the families involved.

 Favorite free time activity: star gazing.

Annah Wells

Host Site: Western Carolina University

Partner Site: The Community Table

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Home Town: Asheboro, NC

Graduated from: NCSU with a major in English  

 I served last year with another education-focused AmeriCorps program in Miami, FL. I loved the experience and wanted to strengthen communities by serving a second year with AmeriCorps. 

 I chose NC Campus Compact because I want to help college students realize the potential they have to be forces of social change.

 I'm looking forward to learning from and working alongside the wonderful staff at the Center for Service Learning at Western Carolina.

 I love to read when I have free time; there are so many books I want to read that I'm usually reading 3-4 at a time. I also can't wait to enjoy the outdoor activities in the mountains of Western NC.