Serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Capital Area STEM Network Center has been an incredibly rewarding experience that has shaped both my personal and professional journey. My path to becoming a VISTA was somewhat unexpected; I initially planned to join Teach for America, but when that didn’t work out due to age restrictions, I was advised to explore AmeriCorps VISTA. The VISTA program, which engages over 7,000 members annually, is dedicated to alleviating poverty in America by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make sustainable change. As a VISTA, I was drawn to the idea of staying local in Baton Rouge, where I have lived since 2016 after attending LSU for my undergraduate studies. Baton Rouge has become my home, and when I found this opportunity with the LASTEM Network, it felt like the perfect fit. Having grown up in Maryland, where excellent STEM education was the norm, I’ve always been passionate about STEM education for all citizens of America. The chance to contribute to improving STEM education in Louisiana, a state I now call home, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role as an AmeriCorps VISTA has been coordinating outreach efforts that inspire students and educators alike. As a VISTA member, my focus has been on building the capacity of the Capital Area STEM Network Center, helping them to more effectively engage with the community and expand their reach. This has involved organizing hands-on STEM activities, facilitating workshops, and supporting programs that address educational disparities—key components of the VISTA mission to empower communities. I’ve seen firsthand the impact these initiatives have on fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Watching students light up with curiosity and excitement as they engage with STEM concepts in ways they might not have had the opportunity to before has been incredible. I’ll never forget a little girl at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library STEM Summer Kick Off in 2023 who was initially afraid to interact with our electricity activities. After some gentle encouragement and a lesson on safety and circuits, she proudly told me that it "felt good to be an electrician." Moments like that reinforce the importance of the work we’re doing.
Another significant moment in my journey was during my interview for the VISTA position. I sat in front of a panel of program directors and managers from the LSU Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy and the Capital Area STEM Network Center. The experience was both empowering and inspiring, demonstrating the meaningful contributions and leadership that shape the STEM field in Louisiana. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, you serve full-time for one year (or as I did, for a summer and a year) and during this time, you support organizations to make lasting change in areas that affect poverty, including education, public health, and more. My work on The Ignite Project, a joint initiative with the Louisiana Department of Education, was a standout experience. This project aimed to equip elementary educators with the skills and resources to implement computational thinking and computer science concepts in their classrooms. Our team worked tirelessly over months and holidays to ensure that every possible parish, no matter how remote, had the opportunity to be included. I was privileged to be the Ignite Project Ambassador who went out to teach these educators myself, setting up last-minute training sessions in parishes that thankfully were able to join the program at the eleventh hour.
The AmeriCorps VISTA program has not only allowed me to serve my community but has also provided me with invaluable skills in project management, communication, and educational programming. Each day, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, including educators, community leaders, and local organizations, all united by the common goal of enhancing STEM education in Louisiana. Through activities such as grant writing, research, and leading outreach activities, I’ve gained professional experience and leadership skills that will serve me well in any sector I choose to work in. This experience has deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in STEM outreach and has solidified my commitment to continuing this important work. It has also allowed me the flexibility to focus on my law school applications. I’m proud to say that I successfully completed my applications and, as of August 19th, 2024, I have begun my journey at LSU Law. I credit much of my success to the supportive environment provided by this program and the invaluable network of resources and support from the LASTEM Network, the Capital Area STEM Network Center, and the LSU Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy.
Reflecting on my time as an AmeriCorps VISTA, I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and excited about the future. The work I’ve been a part of will have a lasting impact on the Capital Area, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause. Even as I start law school, I’m blessed to continue working with the Capital Area STEM Network Center in a limited capacity, focusing on social media management, blog writing, the monthly newsletter, and website updates. My journey with AmeriCorps VISTA has been transformative, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference with our networks in STEM education in Louisiana. Wish me luck with law school, and please stay tuned as we continue to inspire, engage, and ignite the next generations of STEM in Louisiana.
For more information on becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA, please visit: https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista.
