The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is one of eight schools selected by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for a new partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA designed to encourage participation in national service opportunities.
Each school will receive approximately $20,000 to onboard a part-time recruiter to work in partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA to increase awareness of service opportunities among the campus communities and surrounding cities. These recruiters will host information sessions on national service, promote service opportunities at events and develop partnerships across their campuses and within the surrounding community. The schools were chosen through an application process.
“We are excited to bring this resource to our campus so students can explore the options for national service,” said Atina Pascua, director of the UH Mānoa Office of Civic and Community Engagement. “The partnership with CNCS serves as a nice complement to our longstanding partnership with the Peace Corp which provides us with a campus recruiter to support those students exploring international service.”
AmeriCorps VISTA aims to strengthen the civic engagement
Participation in this AmeriCorps VISTA partnership will provide an opportunity for colleges to strengthen the civic engagement of college students and promote the transformative experience of national service, all while addressing poverty in the surrounding community.
“Just like college, a year of service can be a life-changing experience,” said Desiree Tucker-Sorini, director of AmeriCorps VISTA. “With this new pilot program, we’ll be able to explore the combined power of higher education and national service. I’m thrilled to welcome UH Mānoa to our national service family.”
AmeriCorps VISTA provides a pathway to employment, further advancing the hiring potential of the schools’ graduates. AmeriCorps VISTA members develop leadership skills and gain professional experience while supporting nonprofit organizations and public agencies to grow their capacity.
The other schools chosen for this pilot project are the Rochester Institute of Technology, Tufts University, University of Montana, University of Rochester, University of Virginia, Utah State University and Wake Forest University.
