The 2024-25 cohort of Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA members, who began their service last summer, have dedicated a year to building the capacity of programs that support low-income students and community members, addressing the needs of campuses and communities across the country. As our VISTA members’ service terms come to an end, we celebrate their accomplishments through an annual event called the Project Showcase.
Project Showcase highlights the ingenuity, persistence, and impact of VISTA Members as they design initiatives to support first-generation students, combat food insecurity, engage communities, and more. It also stands as a testament to the power of national service to shape the personal and professional growth of VISTAs themselves.
Meet five of our Campus Compact VISTA Members whose AmeriCorps service embodies America at its best.
Romeo - Southern Connecticut State University: Building Sustainable Support for First Generation, Low-Income Student Success
At Southern Connecticut State University, Romeo Rivera focused his service year on empowering first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students. His goal was to improve career readiness and financial literacy resources to help
By surveying over 100 FGLI students, Romeo uncovered an urgent need for expanded support. 74% identified as first-generation and 68% as low-income, with more than half rating their financial literacy and career readiness preparedness as average or below. These findings revealed consistent gaps across campus and
Romeo’s most impactful project was creating a framework for the Alumni-Scholar Initiative. Working with the Alumni Relations and Financial Literacy departments at SCSU, he launched a registration system through Symplicity to connect students with alumni mentors. By prioritizing flexibility for alumni participation, Romeo built a scalable model designed to prepare students for life after graduation.
Romeo’s advice for a future VISTA Member, community leader, or local changemaker:
“Embrace the idea of being comfortable with the uncomfortable. Your greatest growth will come from stepping into new spaces, taking risks, and navigating uncertainty. Don't shy away from unfamiliar experiences; instead, lean into them as opportunities to learn and create meaningful impact.”
Watch here to learn more about Romeo’s impactful service experience!
Tamara Garrett - University of Mary Washington: Increasing Food Security
At the University of Mary Washington, Tamara focused on combating food insecurity by strengthening the campus pantry, community garden, and local food bank partnerships.
Her efforts led to tangible results: Over 80 people reported improved food security; her fundraising efforts brought in more than $8,000; an additional $18,850 secured through grants; and she recruited 55 volunteers who contributed 204 hours of service while developing student leadership to ensure future sustainably.
She also spearheaded collaborative events such as a Harvest Festival with the university’s engagement office, canned food drives with the Girl Scouts, and a sustainable clothing swap with campus sustainability groups.
Tamara’s advice for a Future VISTA Member, community leader, or local changemaker::
“Collaborate whenever possible! Creating a community of partners in your VISTA position will open up opportunities for events that wouldn’t be as productive on your own.”
Listen to Tamara’s service story in her own words here!
José Reyes - Wagner College: Community Engagement VISTA
As a VISTA at Wagner College, José focused on building the Bonner Leader Program by recruiting and supporting student leaders, developing a program identity, and revitalizing community partnerships for internships and volunteer opportunities.
His efforts paid off. José successfully recruited, interviewed, and onboarded six new Bonner Leaders, nearly doubling the program’s size. He also created an interview and onboarding process to help staff sustain these efforts into the future.
José tackled food insecurity on campus by collaborating with a Bonner Leader student in facilitating two surveys, each receiving 150+ responses. Hosting tabling events, he raised awareness and gathered insights that were shared directly with the college president. His work led to recommendations such as grocery shuttles, extended dining hall hours, and the creation of a campus food pantry.
José’s advice for a future VISTA Member, community leader, or local changemaker:
“Throughout your year of service, do not hesitate to go beyond your comfort zone and try something new! My favorite part of VISTA is that you can explore an experience that can help you solidify your future career. You get to meet professionals currently working in higher education and work alongside them to make positive changes, development, and impact.”
Learn more about José’s impact on the Bonner Leader Program by watching his showcase presentation here!
Sam Frank - Museum of the Pacific War: VISTA Mobile Education Project
At the Museum of the Pacific War, Sam pioneered a Traveling Trunk Program to make history accessible to Title I schools unable to visit the museum. He designed mobile resources containing authentic artifacts, classroom activities, and lesson plans tailored to educators’ needs.
Securing a $1,500 grant from Smithsonian Affiliations, Sam built two classroom-ready trunks now being used by nearly 50 high school students. A highlight came when he visited Junction, TX, to see a class using the trunk. The teacher shared how students were engaging with the lessons and using them to prepare for state tests. Seeing students connect emotionally with World War II history through digitized letters from the frontlines was a fulfilling, full-circle moment for Sam.
Sam’s advice for a future VISTA Member, community leader, or local changemaker:
“Expect that each day may look a little different and embrace it! Especially during the first year of my project, there were a lot of unexpected turns and times when I had to be flexible. While this can be stressful, having the opportunity to lead a project early in my career has been exciting and rewarding.”
Hear more about Sam’s service here!
Larissa Meza - Philosophic Systems Institute: Bilingual Digital Navigation System (BDNS), Community Outreach at Alamito Learning Center
Larissa’s project centered on designing the Bilingual Digital Navigation System (BDNS) for the soon-to-open Alamito Learning Center in El Paso, Texas. The BDNS is a bilingual platform designed to connect residents to housing, employment, and social services while allowing them to share feedback about their experiences.
Throughout her year, Larissa partnered with local agencies in the Segundo Barrio neighborhood and co-organized outreach events such as the Science Festival. These conversations with residents and organizations shaped the BDNS to reflect real community needs. A Navigator Handbook is now being finalized to guide future users.
Larissa’s advice for a future VISTA Member, community leader, or local changemaker:
“Building the design for the BDNS gave me hope; it showed me that even the design phase of my work can be the starting point of a profound impact. This experience made me feel truly useful to my community. For future VISTAs, I suggest they be open to learning, to stay grounded in purpose and reflection, and to trust that small steps lead to meaningful change. My site allowed me to reflect on how community impact can impact my personal development.
Learn more about Larissa’s service by watching her showcase here:
Romeo, Tamera, José, Sam, and Larissa’s stories are just a glimpse into the impact Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Members make nationwide every year. These dedicated individuals stepped into new roles, building programs and community partnerships to address the critical needs of their communities. Along the way, their service shaped their own paths as leaders, advocates, and changemakers. As we celebrate their accomplishments, we’re reminded of the power of national service to not only transform the lives of those served, but also the transformation the VISTA Members themselves undergo.