Almuni Spotlight: Katie Koga

Katie served as a Campus Compact AmeriCorps Team Leader at The University of Montana from 2010-2011. Reflecting on the service year, Katie said "This experience helped shape my view of public service and what it looks like for different individuals. Following my time with Campus Corps, I transitioned to working for a social justice organization, addressing issues of prejudice, oppression, and discrimination. As I'm transitioning to a career in healthcare, my service experience continues to strengthen my commitment to work that serves and benefits the public while engaging me as a community member."

Katie is a current student at the University of Montana, in the pre-nursing program. Thanks for your service, Katie!

 

Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Gardner Newbold

Jennifer was an AmeriCorps Leader with the University of Montana Campus Corps from 1999-2000. Reflecting on service, Jennifer said "It really solidified in me a sense of responsibility to my community. I was always civic-minded, but my second year with AmeriCorps as an AmeriCorps Leader with Campus Compact really instilled in me a lifelong sense of duty in me. I think that’s because I developed a deep appreciation for service through my time with AmeriCorps. You see so many needs met, but also so many needs left unfulfilled. You learn that you actually can – and do – make a difference. It also helped me develop many professional skills that I rely on today – particularly understanding how different personalities can work together and how positivity and organization really do help you get things done!"

"I feel I can say with confidence, that without my AmeriCorps experience, my life could have taken a different path. The opportunity to engage in something meaningful after finishing college, but before moving on to the next phase of my life, is something I will always be grateful for. AmeriCorps is a unique experience, and one that without a doubt, shaped who I am today."

Jennifer is currently an attorney with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thanks for your continuing service, Jennifer!

MTCC NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMS HONORED ON AMERICORPS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Campus Corps AmeriCorps Alum Jill Washburn

Today is a special birthday around here, AmeriCorps turned twenty! It'd be old enough to vote, drive and register for selective service if it were a person. The AmeriCorps program had its roots in the War on Poverty programs of the the early 1960s, and when it was signed into law in 2014, it marked a huge expansion of National Service programs.

I often tell folks that AmeriCorps is kind of the younger, bigger cousin of VISTA, or "Volunteers In Service To America." VISTA is correctly referred to as a domestic version of the Peace Corps, placing folks in one-year terms building capacity to move people out of poverty. The other huge part of that back story is the Senior Corps programs, like the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions. Collectively, these programs get referred to as "National Service," and as VISTA currently resides administratively part of AmeriCorps, so too will the Senior Corps programs eventually.

At the more interesting local level, the affiliates of the Montana Campus Compact have been lucky to host both robust AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA programs in our twenty year history. In fact, much of the Compact's ability to "get things done for America*" (*that's AC's tag line) has been due to the strong support of the AmeriCorps programs, which has in turn leveraged millions of state and local dollars to address our most challenging problems.

Currently, MTCC AmeriCorps VISTAs focus on college access and success, STEM initiatives and projects that support veterans and military families.

MTCC VISTA Alum Roch Tuner

Montana's AmeriCorps Alums chapter used the occasion of this 20th anniversary to honor some exemplary alumni, among whom are MTCC's own: Jill Washburn (Campus Corps AmeriCorps), Wendy Jeschke (Campus Corps AmeriCorps), Jon Stephani (Campus Corps AmeriCorps), Charles "Roch" Turner (MTCC AmeriCorps VISTA), and Sandra Cain (Campus Corps AmeriCorps). Hear hear!