AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national program in which volunteers apply their skills by designing sustainable anti-poverty programs in low-income communities. To learn more, visit the VISTA website.

The Northern New England Americorps VISTA Collaboration, a project of Campus Compact for New Hampshire, includes state affiliates in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The collaboration is based on a mutual interest in supporting service focused on anti-poverty measures at the colleges and universities in our collective membership.

Here in Maine, members spend a year of service on college campuses across our state. Their service entails: collaborating with students, faculty, staff and community partners to develop programming on campuses focused on improving college aspirations, increasing the belief that college is an option, and increasing access to higher education for low-income K-12 youth. Members of the Northern New England AmeriCorps VISTA team serve in a wide variety of communities on campuses of all types — small and large, public and private — in all corners of the state. They meet regularly throughout the year for training and networking.

For more information, please contact Campus Compact for New Hampshire at:  dupuis@compactnh.org or visit: https://www.compactnh.org/americorps/

There are currently three host sites across Maine

2022-2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Team

Coming soon!

2021-2022 AmeriCorps VISTA Team

Amanda Whitten – Maine Campus Compact

The STEM Coordinator VISTA with Maine Campus Compact works on K-20 STEM programs and initiatives in schools and libraries throughout Maine. Amanda will implement the REV Up the Fun initiative at food distribution sites all over the state. She will also work to advance STEM education for girls and the STEM Science Expo in the Portland area.


Austin Dumont – Bates College  

Austin serves as the Community Engagement Fellow at the Harward Center at Bates College, and serves with the Office of Residence Life and Health Education to provide accessible community engagement opportunities for students based on community needs. Highlights of his work include a storytelling program for students at Edward Little High School, and a playground help initiative for two local elementary schools.


Hannah Rose – University of Maine

Hannah runs the Black Bear Mentors and Black Bear Tutors programs. After a year of virtual-only programming, she is bringing both programs back to in-person with all new COVID restrictions and requirements.  The tutor program is continuing the option of virtual tutoring in an effort to meet the changing needs of students across the state and as part of the Black Bear Mentors and Tutors ongoing goals to improve access to higher education for K-12 students.  Hannah also helps to facilitate food distribution at UMaine’s on-campus food pantry, the Black Bear Exchange.


Madalyn Shircliff – University of Maine at Augusta/New Ventures Maine

Madalyn is serving as the College Access and Success Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA based on the Augusta Campus. She works with the University of Maine at Augusta and New Ventures Maine staff to promote student MoneyWise financial literacy and civic engagement as well as increase community access to financial education and workforce development resources.


Jesse Skowronski – University of New England

Jesse serves with the University of New England’s Office of Citizenship and Civic Engagement where he is expanding upon the America Reads America Counts Tutor Program to offer in person tutoring for elementary and middle school students. Jesse also works collaboratively with the Citizenship seminar to engage UNE students in the community. As part of this effort, Jesse will collaborate with local organizations to coordinate an annual holiday event called Give Back and Get Lit to provide UNE students with the opportunity to hang Christmas lights in downtown Biddeford and assemble care packages to distribute to individuals in need. This spring, Jesse will organize a spring clean-up in a local park. Jesse is also eager to get the College Aspirations Program running again post COVID to host local middle schoolers on campus and attend short mock lectures while they tour campus facilities to increase College aspirations for local youth.

2020-2021 AmeriCorps VISTA Team

Carolyn Brady – Maine Campus Compact

Carolyn Brady  currently serves as Maine’s COVID-19 Recovery AmeriCorps VISTA, where she will spend her year of service compiling and disseminating pertinent information to recovery efforts of K-12 and higher education institutions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. She is very excited to serve in her capacity as a VISTA and work to support the needs of low-income students across northern New England.


Abby Bohlen –  Maine Campus Compact

Abby is the STEM Collaboration VISTA on the USM-LAC campus, working as a liaison between higher education institutions and K-12 schools to help strengthen STEM education.


Christopher Castañeda – Bates College

Christopher serves as the Community Engagement Fellow at the Harward Center at Bates College, and serves with the Office of Residence Life and Health Education to provide accessible community engagement opportunities for students based on community needs. He has been developing a virtual tutoring/enrichment program for K-8 students to maintain access to resources schools are unable to offer.


Kate RuehleUniversity of Maine at Augusta

Kristina serves as the Office of Service-Learning and Volunteering’s STEM Coordinator. Her role entails managing and expanding the 4-H STEM Ambassador and STEM Sister programs, primarily through volunteer recruitment and faculty support. She is currently working on constructing a mentorship program under the STEM Sisters initiative that connects local STEM professionals, university students, and high-schoolers.


Elissa Kane – University of New England

Elissa works with the University of New England Office of Citizenship and Civic Engagement. She works to expand upon the America Reads America Counts Tutor Program to offer online tutoring to elementary school students in the area. She also works collaboratively with the instructors of the Citizenship 400 seminar to offer volunteer opportunities to engage UNE students in the community. Currently, Elissa is organizing a spring clean-up in a local park that the office recently adopted.


Hannah RoseUniversity of Maine 

Hannah runs the Black Bear Mentors and Black Bear Tutors programs. She has pivoted both programs to virtual platforms in an effort to meet the changing needs of students across the state in light of COVID-19, and as part of the Black Bear Mentors and Tutors ongoing goals to improve access to higher education for K-12 students. Hannah also helps to facilitate food distribution at UMaine’s on-campus food pantry, the Black Bear Exchange.


Molly Cassidy – University of Maine Augusta at Bangor 

Molly serves with New Ventures Maine and the University of Maine at Augusta’s Bangor Campus. She coordinates financial education opportunities for current and prospective students at UMA Bangor, and provides financial resources to students and community members. She also assists faculty and staff at UMA Bangor and New Ventures Maine to promote student success and retention.


UMPI AmeriCorps MemberUniversity of Maine at Presque Isle

The UMPI AmeriCorps member works to expand college access and success for low-income students through an active participation in TRIO programs, developing and sustaining solid partnerships with the campus and local communities, management of on-campus projects that support low-income students, and coordinating training of student employees to promote mentor program goals and outcomes.

2019-2020

Madelyn Holm – Maine Campus Compact

Madelyn worked with Maine Campus Compact as a Vista for two years, serving with Southern Maine Community College in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership. After a brief hiatus from nonprofits she is excited to be working with our incredible team of Vistas throughout the state. Over the course of her service term, Madelyn is hoping to engage more campuses in the Vista Program moving forward, and is excited to work with the MCC Vista alumni community to take stock of past programs for future prospects within Maine.


Tessa Winship – University of Maine Augusta at Bangor 

Tessa is serving New Ventures Maine and UMA’s Bangor Campus. She coordinates financial education opportunities for current and prospective students of UMA Bangor, as well as provides financial resources to students and community members. Tessa works with the faculty/staff of UMA Bangor, along with the staff at New Ventures Maine, to promote student success and retention.


Kristina Catomeris – University of Southern Maine

Kristina serves as the STEM Partnerships Coordinator at USM where she is working to develop and grow STEM and service- learning partnerships between USM and local K-12 schools. She is also working with high-school girls to provide STEM opportunities and community partnerships.


Ella Ross – Bates College 

Ella is collaborating with student leaders to create ongoing training and reflection opportunities for Bates mentors, coordinating with K-12 schools for Bates class visits, working with local high schools on STEM programs, and is assisting in science based learning for local schools at Bates.


Mary Nudkwe – University of Maine Presque Isle

Mary serves with UMPI’s TRIO Program, and works with the Office of Campus Engagement to help students connect to service learning projects that enhance their degree programs.

2018-2019

Tom Gallant- VISTA Leader, Maine Campus Compact

As VISTA Leader for MCC, Tom will support a team of 10 VISTAs as they navigate their year of service.  He is responsible for professional development, networking and recruitment of new members. Tom will begin his fifth and final year November 2018.


Taylor Ashley – University of Maine at Orono

Taylor coordinates Black Bear Mentors and Black Bear Tutors, and partners with Big Brothers Big Sister of Mid-Maine and America Reads America Counts. Taylor will also research and plan STEM activities for both programs, and compile a binder of activities for future use. This is Taylor’s second VISTA term with MCC!


Sarah Chang – University of Southern Maine

As the STEM Partnerships Coordinator, Sarah will continue the development and growth of STEM focused service-learning partnerships with local schools to increase college aspirations, improve STEM literacy, and provide engaged learning opportunities for college students. This is Sarah’s second VISTA term with MCC!


Joe DeGraff – University of Southern Maine

The AmeriCorps VISTA will develop and support partnerships between local K-12 schools, community organizations, and USM to engage college students in service-learning courses and co-curricular programming related to Hunger and Food Insecurity.


Sumaya El-Khalidi – UMaine Cooperative Extension & Maine Campus Compact 

The Hunger Dialogue VISTA will help to raise awareness and mobilize college campuses throughout Maine to address hunger for low income individuals and to provide a platform for Maine students to actively work to address food insecurity on their campuses and in their communities. Pivotal focus will be coordinating the Universities Fighting World Hunger conference in Portland, ME March 2019.


Caitlyn Hartman – Maine Campus Compact

Caitlyn serves at Maine Campus Compact as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)VISTA to support collaborative partnerships between higher education and K-12 to strengthen the STEM pipeline. She also provides technical assistance support and outreach focused on pilot projects based on replicated models.


Danfry Nieves – University of Maine at Presque Isle

As UMPI’s Early College VISTA, Danfry works with several campus and community entities to expand College Access programs to low-income and populations through many collaborative initiatives. Danfry also works with UMPI faculty to support engaged learning partnerships with community organizations. Although new to MCC, Danfry is currently in his 3rd term!


Joel Soloway  – University of New England

Joel will oversee the recruitment, training and supervision of UNE student volunteers to work with two partner organizations in Biddeford, Maine. YouthBuild helps young people who left high school without a diploma and who want to reclaim their education, gain the skills they need for employment and/or college, and become leaders in their communities. BLAST is a STEM-based, hands-on after school enrichment program for under-achieving children in Biddeford K-8 Schools.


Seth Johnson – Kennebec Valley Community College

As the Veteran Services VISTA, Seth will serve as the liaison between KVCC student support service offices, local and state-wide Veteran service providers and KVCC Veteran students and their family members. He will assist the Veteran student groups in completing the process to become fully established as an official student group.


Brianna Wilson – Bates College

Brianna will collaborate with student leaders to create ongoing training and reflection opportunities for Bates mentors; help develop and oversee curricular and assessment materials for programs; and work with student clubs and organizations on campus to maximize the engagement of the student body in aspirations efforts.

2017 – 2017

Tom Gallant-  Maine Campus Compact

As VISTA Leader for MCC, Tom will support a team of 10 VISTAs as they navigate their year of service.  He is responsible for professional development, networking and recruitment of new members.


Brenna Callahan – Bates College

Brenna will collaborate with student leaders to create ongoing training and reflection opportunities for Bates mentors; help develop and oversee curricular and assessment materials for programs; and work with student clubs and organizations on campus to maximize the engagement of the student body in aspirations efforts.


Luke Cameron – University of Maine at Presque Isle

As UMPI’s Early College VISTA, Luke works with several campus and community entities to expand College Access programs to low-income and populations through many collaborative initiatives. Luke also works with UMPI faculty to support engaged learning partnerships with community organizations.


Samuel Cannon – University of Maine Augusta – Bangor

As the Veteran Services VISTA, Sam will serve as the liaison between UMA student support service offices, local and state-wide Veteran service providers and UMA Veteran students and their family members. He will assist the Veteran student groups in completing the process to become fully established as an official student group.


Chang Sarah – University of Southern Maine

As the STEM Partnerships Coordinator, Sarah will continue the development and growth of STEM focused service-learning partnerships with local schools to increase college aspirations, improve STEM literacy, and provide engaged learning opportunities for college students.


Katie Kracht –  UMaine Cooperative Extension &  Maine Campus Compact

As the Hunger Dialogue VISTA, Katie will help to raise awareness and mobilize college campuses throughout Maine to address hunger for low income individuals and to provide a platform for Maine students to actively work to address food insecurity on their campuses and in their communities.


Kayla LaVoice –  Maine Campus Compact

Kayla serves at Maine Campus Compact as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) VISTA to support collaborative partnerships between higher education and K-12 to strengthen the STEM pipeline. She also provides technical assistance support and outreach focused on pilot projects based on replicable models.


Savannah Wade – University of New England

Savannah will oversee the recruitment, training and supervision of UNE student volunteers to work with two partner organizations in Biddeford, Maine. YouthBuild helps young people who left high school without a diploma and who want to reclaim their education, gain the skills they need for employment and/or college, and become leaders in their communities. BLAST is a STEM-based, hands-on afterschool enrichment program for under-achieving children in Biddeford K-8 Schools.


Zander Walz – Kennebec Valley Community College

As the Veteran Services VISTA, Zander will serve as the liaison between KVCC student support service offices, local and state-wide Veteran service providers and KVCC Veteran students and their family members. He will assist the Veteran student groups in completing the process to become fully established as an official student group.


2022-2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Host Site Applications Due March 15, 2022

If your campus is interested in serving as a host site for a Northern New England AmeriCorps VISTA Member, your chance to start an innovative and exciting AmeriCorps project at your campus starts here!  Please see the attached Host Site Guidelines for more information about submitting an application, timelines, and more.  When completing the application, it might be helpful to type out responses on a Word Doc and then copy and paste into the form.  If you have any questions please email dupuis@compactnh.org

Host Site Applications (Due March 15th)

Click to submit your application!

2022-2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Opportunities

We are looking for passionate people to fight poverty as AmeriCorps VISTA members by increasing college aspirations among K-12 youth in Maine. Each member will serve at a college or community organization for a one-year term. At your site, you will develop and coordinate programs that will increase the capacity of campuses to provide student volunteers to serve low-income K-12 students. This could include creating or coordinating mentoring, tutoring, or advising programs, providing training for college students to serve as volunteers, working with faculty and staff to support service initiatives focused on college aspirations and access, writing grants and proposals to support service on campus and in communities, and recruiting and supporting college student volunteers.

A list of all 2022-2023 Northern New England AmeriCorps VISTA positions in Maine will be posted here in April.  Please check back then to learn more about the exciting NNE VISTA opportunities available here in Maine!