AmeriCorps Student Resource Centers
Ohio Campus Compact (OCC) has been selected by ServeOhio to sponsor AmeriCorps members at higher education member institutions throughout Ohio to develop a Student Resource Center program. In support of the mission of Ohio Campus Compact, the AmeriCorps Student Resource Center Coordinators will support the development and growth of the Student Resource Centers, an Ohio Campus Compact initiative, which is designed to support campuses in identifying and providing much-needed resources to students who experience barriers to their academic success. A student resource center is a physical location on a campus where students can openly and freely seek support for challenges they are facing. A center or “hub” will be a place where students will be connected with campus and community partners that are able to provide the access to resources that students need to address the issues they are facing. No issue that may cause a student to withdraw from a course or leave an institution without earning a college degree is too small. The Student Resource Center initiative will play an active role in supporting the needs of students and achieving course success and degree attainment.
Check out AmeriCorps SRC in the news!
Mount Union Opens Food, Clothing Pantry to Benefit Campus Community
Meet our AmeriCorps Members
AmeriCorps members are placed at OCC member campuses to complete a variety of tasks pertaining to the Student Resource Center (SRC) program. Our AmeriCorps members conduct intake assessment for students at the SRC’s to provide resources, education and information in support of the student’s efforts to meet their academic goals, assist students each semester in meeting their academic and non-academic needs by connecting them to campus and community resources to address barriers, identify and collect campus and community resources that may address those barriers, plan civic engagement opportunities with students and campus-at-large through AmeriCorps Days of service throughout the academic year along with other duties as assigned.
Kent State University- Emery Olama
Kent State Univerity- Sekhar Mamidi
Sekhar was born in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in West Virginia, so considers himself to be from West Virginia. He attended high school in a suburb of Cleveland. Sekhar graduated from West Virginia University (WVU) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and from WVU School of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. During his career, he’s worked in different roles in a variety of academic and non-academic settings. Starting in August 2018, Sekhar enrolled as a Master of Education (M.Ed.) student in the Health Education and Promotion program with a focus on Community Health at Kent State University (KSU). During 2018-2019, he served as an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) member with the Upward Bound Programs at KSU (sponsoring organization-Charitable Healthcare Network (previously known as Ohio Association of Free Clinics)). Sekhar’s future plans include graduating with a Master’s degree in Health Education and Promotion from KSU in May 2020 and then obtaining a position as a Health Educator after he completes his current AmeriCorps service term.
Lorain County Community College- Valerie Luciano
Marietta College- Amber Smrek
Amber Smrek attended Marietta College and graduated early with a BFA in Theatre. After reevaluating her dream of pursuing a career in acting, she’s decided to return to school to become a Chemistry teacher. The AmeriCorps SRC position has allowed her to return to school and help the College that “shaped [her]”. Amber says that “This opportunity has given me more than I ever expected. On top of getting to give back to Marietta College, I have grown as an employee. I feel confident and helpful. MC has embraced me and the Student Resource Center I am building. For the first time in my life, I have people who take my opinion into consideration and truly care about my input.”
Miami University- Rebecca Helton
Mt. St. Joseph University- Susanna Thomas
Tiffin University- Liberty Haynes
University of Akron- Kayla Perry
University of Mt. Union- Destanee O’Neil
University of Mt. Union- Logan Cooper
Wittenberg University- Daniel Lofton
Daniel is originally from Bessemer, AL but now resides in Springfield. In May 2019, Daniel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre along with a double-minor in music and dance from Wittenberg University. He has been in the theatre world since the age of six years old where he participated in acting, dancing, and singing. When he came to Wittenberg to pursue his higher education, he took several technique classes that helped mold his craft as an artist. He has performed and choreographed pieces for multiple dance and music concerts, directed and wrote several plays throughout the span of his life. After graduation, he wasn’t quite sure where he wanted to continue his entertainment career, so he decided to take another route and branch off into another area of study, not realizing it would lead him to higher education and back to his alma mater. He is serving as OCC’s AmeriCorps member in the capacity of inaugural Student Resource Center Coordinator at Wittenberg where he aides students in connecting to the various resources the campus and Springfield/Clark County has to offer them. He is looking forward to continuing the impact he is able to make through his work. In his spare time, he volunteers in several capacities in the world of theatre and dance. He hopes to bridge his passion for theatre and dance with the tools gained through his AmeriCorps service this year.