IMPROVE the quality of teaching and learning throughout New Hampshire institutions of higher education.

PROVIDE leadership throughout the state and nation to reinvigorate the civic and moral leadership of higher education in ways that connect colleges and universities with the communities and constituencies they serve.

PROMOTE citizenship education by expanding higher education's role in educating students not only for careers and jobs but also for their roles as active and engaged community members.

AmeriCorps*VISTA

The Northern New England AmeriCorps*VISTA Collaboration is comprised of the Campus Compact state affiliates in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.  The collaboration is based on mutual interest in supporting service and service-learning focused on anti-poverty measures across the more than seventy colleges and universities in our collective memberships.  The goal of our VISTA project is focused on the development of programming on campuses across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that will increase access and retention to higher education for low income individuals by providing programming focused on improving college aspirations, promoting the belief that college is an option and increasing access to higher education for low income individuals seeking higher education.

2011-2012 CCNH AmeriCorps*VISTA Members:

Alyssa Day – Keene State College

AmeriCorps has made a difference in my life because it has given me the opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and to truly appreciate my life.  The program has given me a chance to be able to have a hand in changing and/or inspiring someone’s life.  I wholeheartedly believe that people can change the world if they put their mind to it…and to be able to know that I have a hand in helping someone do that means more to me than money can buy.

Kelly Harvey – NHTI – Concord’s Community College

AmeriCorps has made a real difference in my life and I hope in some of the lives in the community where I serve.  As a VISTA I have had many opportunities to try many different things, make an impact in a community and gain new skills.  AmeriCorps has also helped me decide my career path.  It is a rare opportunity that AmeriCorps gives to all its members, it is the opportunity to help and make such an impact on a community.  I feel that I get more out of serving, because I have the opportunity to use my passion of service learning and community service in a way that benefits others as well as myself.

Daniel Heying – New England College

Serving with AmeriCorps has reinforced my belief that the spirit of volunteerism still shines bright in America.  I have always believed a pillar and keystone that has made our society so great is charity.  When times are as tough as these, there are always those altruistic citizens that are willing to give their time to a cause.  Personally, working with college students, I can say that the future of the country is in good hands and high spirits.  I cannot envision a future without the volunteer opportunities AmeriCorps provides.

Alex Manorek – Winchester ACCESS Program

AmeriCorps has made a difference in my life by showing me what poverty really is.  Before my service, poverty was a snapshot of some village in a third-world nation.   It was a statistic in a book or on a poster or a homeless man’s face.  Now poverty has become my face in the mirror, the smile on the children that I serve, and the very air I breathe.  I have become poverty.  I have been humbled and the compassion I feel swells in my heart.  I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the betterment of my community, my country and all of humanity.

Joselyn McDonald – Dartmouth College Native American Project

AmeriCorps has quite simply expanded me to a community of people, the Navajo, that have priorities and concepts of success that are far different than the standard in popular Anglo-culture.  Being exposed to and working with Navajo people and Native American Scholars and elders has been the most expanding experience of my life.  In just a few short months, I feel as though my level of cultural competency has greatly increased.  In every decision I’ve attempted to shift from what I think is best, to what really would suit the needs of this community.

Reggie Singletary – NH Institute of Art

Service has shown me that as a member of a community of “educated” citizens on a college campus, we have already been given an amazing gift to come to a place to study and pursue our passions.  That being the case, it is our responsibility to give our time and experience to those who need it in our communities and by realizing that, we have learned all we need to know.  Service has also given me the opportunity to believe in my own ability to effect change.  The responsibility placed on me has taught me to rise to the challenge and help empower others to do the same.

Maggie Woods – VISTA Leader & NH State Scholars Program

AmeriCorps has truly changed the way I think.  I finally understand the importance of community service, not just as a line on a resume, but as a way of life.  Service has transformed me into the person I want to be, and this realization is something I will always carry with me.  I know that after my AmeriCorps term is done, I will continue to be involved in my community.  Thank you AmeriCorps for everything you have taught me.