AmeriCorps Student Resource Centers

Ohio Campus Compact (OCC) has been selected by ServeOhio for a second year (2020-2021) to sponsor AmeriCorps members at higher education member institutions throughout Ohio to develop a Student Resource Center (SRC) 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.

Isaiah Corso-Phinney – University of Cincinnati

Isaiah is a recent graduate of the College of Wooster (’20) where he earned his B.A. while majoring in History with research in Scottish History. His senior thesis, Redemption of the Gàidhealtachd: The formation of Highlandism from 1745-1822, explores the creation of Scottish Highland imagery as wider symbols of Scottish National Identity. Hailing from Mansfield Ohio, Isaiah first experienced community service in the Boy Scouts where he created a meditation center at a local Catholic cemetery for his Eagle Scout project. After volunteering in various service organizations throughout High School and College, he is excited to serve the student body of the University of Cincinnati as an AmeriCorps member.

Lori DeShetler – Owens Community College

Lori DeShetler is a proud mother and grandmother; her family is of utmost importance. As a newly single mother, Lori decided to further her education and graduated with her Associates Degree, Social Work Concentration from Owens Community College. While attending Owens, Lori accepted a position on campus as a student mentor. The opportunity to support college students with the tools to be successful was the foundation of her subsistence. After graduating, Lori was offered a position to serve for AmeriCorps, in which she was able to broaden her knowledge of barriers that students encounter. She quickly realized that many traditional and non-traditional college students were facing financial challenges, racial disparity, food insecurity, no internet access, childcare and homelessness. Some students lack self-esteem, college assimilation and family support. Lori provides students with resources both on and off campus, as well as, mentorship. Lori is excited to start her 5th year serving for AmeriCorps, at Owens Community College, in the student resource center, The Center for Campus and Community Connections.

Hanne Driscoll – Hanne Driscoll

Hanne is a senior at Mount St. Joseph University. She is double majoring in Fine Art and Psychology, with a minor in History. After graduation Hanne plans to obtain a PhD in Clinical Counseling. Her favorite quote to live by is “being kind isn’t always easy, or convenient, but it has the potential to change everything”.

Alyssa Eyth – University of Mount Union

Alyssa is a Biomedical Engineering major at Mount Union. She will have minors in mathematics and business administration. She previously held a position in the Student Senate as sophomore class representative and is very excited to begin an RA position this upcoming semester. Since Alyssa has always loved animals, one of her favorite activities while at school is walking dogs at the local humane society. Her future goal is to someday earn a PhD to teach and conduct research at a collegiate level.

Elexis Hamby – Kent State University

Elexis’ friends and family call her Lexi or Lex. She recently graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics through the Coordinated Program. During her college career, she attended full-time accumulating over 1,300 hours of clinical experience in food service, community, and clinical dietetics along with several hundreds of hours of volunteer experience, numerous certifications and honors, and all while working for many on-campus departments. She was also an Akron Health Education Center (A.H.E.C.) Scholar and actively participated in a few on and off-campus clubs and organizations. Elexis has a passion for nutrition, health and wellness, and a strong or deep-rooted belief that a life well lived is one that provides both compassion and servitude to others. She looks forward to using her experiences, education, and RDN credentials to make an enriching, powerful, and long-lasting impact wherever she can. Elexis is very grateful to be an AmeriCorps member with Ohio Campus Compact serving in the Student Resource Center. As a first-generation college student who has faced various hardships, she cannot wait to begin her journey at Kent State University providing resources to students experiencing any barriers to their academic success.

Rebecca (Becca) Helton – Miami University Regionals

Becca Helton (she/her/hers) is a second year AmeriCorps member serving Miami University Regionals through the Center for Social Impact. She is part of the Ohio Campus Compact Student Resource Center Initiative. For her service she is focusing on challenges that students may face outside of the classroom that affect them in their academic pursuit. As someone who struggled to meet her own basic needs while pursuing a degree, Becca hopes to help create a community and safety net for students as they pursue their own. She graduated from Miami University in 2019 with a degree in interactive media studies and a minor in creative writing. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games with friends, writing, and drawing.

Oliver Holstein – Miami University Hamilton

Oliver Holstein (he/him/his) is a fourth-year student at Miami University’s Hamilton Campus where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. For the past four years, Oliver has held multiple student positions on campus, including at the Center for Social Impact, where he has helped to foster community and civic growth on campus. Oliver is excited to join the Student Resource Center initiative and begin his first year of AmeriCorps service. In his free time, Oliver enjoys hiking, concert-going, and spending quality time with his friends and family. Oliver has also served as the president of MUH Pride, Miami Hamilton’s LGBTQ+ student organization, for the past three years. He hopes to one day work as a counselor and provide support to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Victoria Gildone – Lorain County Community College

Victoria is currently studying psychology at LCCC, as she wants to be a child and family counselor, and she’s also an artist on the side. Before she began her journey with AmeriCorps, she was a student worker at LCCC and worked very closely with the previous campus AmeriCorps SRC Coordinator. Victoria found the program incredibly interesting, and decided to check out the program for herself. She’s excited to see what’s in store for her and the program this year!

Sarah Lifer – Ohio University

Sarah is a senior at Ohio University in the Child and Family studies, Non-Profit track. During her time at OU she has worked with many community and campus organizations including Athens CASA/GAL, Beacon schools and the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. Along with her position as an Americorps member, Sarah works as a Student Ambassador at the Career and Leadership Development Center. After graduating and completing her Americorps service Sarah plans to hike the Appalachian trail before returning to academia to further her education.

Sekhar Mamidi – The University of Akron

Sekhar grew up in West Virginia and attended high school in a suburb of Cleveland. In his early educational career, he graduated from West Virginia University (WVU) with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology and from WVU School of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. During his previous professional career, he worked in a variety of roles in different academic and non-academic settings. In May 2020, he graduated from Kent State University (KSU) with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Health Education and Promotion and will be starting the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at KSU in the Fall 2020 semester. He previously served as an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Member with the Upward Bound Programs and as an AmeriCorps Student Resource Center (SRC) Member, both at KSU. In his future career, Sekhar would like to work in an administrative role in a higher education setting focusing on serving and addressing the health, safety, and well-being needs of college students.

Taylor McElwain – Baldwin Wallace University

Taylor is a passionate Change Agent who works diligently to improve the communities in which she serves. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Franklin College and is currently obtaining her Masters of Education Degree from Baldwin Wallace University. Taylor is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is dedicated to a lifelong commitment of serving through that. In her free time, Taylor enjoys mentoring, leading Diversity workshops, and using her voice to inspire others through her podcast.

Destanee O’Neil – University of Mount Union

Destanee O’Neil graduated the University of Mount Union in May of 2020. She is one of the Raiders Cove founding coordinators alongside Logan Cooper and she is currently serving her second year in the Student Resource Center program at Mount Union. Destanee graduated majoring in Psychology and Early Childhood Education.

Quote: “I have always had a special place in my heart when it came to helping others. I’m and so honored to be serving my second year as an AmeriCorps Member. I have learned so much about the nonprofit world and have discovered my passion for it. I am excited to continue serving and creating lifelong relationships with students and community members. I am very thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given and excited to see Raiders Cove grow!

Amber Smrek – Marietta College

Amber is serving her second year with OCC’s Americorps SRC program. For both years of service, she has served at her alma mater Marietta College. While at Marietta she 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.”

Justin Sturgill – University of Mount Union

Justin is currently in his third year at the University of Mount Union, majoring in Exercise Science with minors in coaching and leadership. He is excited to begin his journey as a member of Americorps, serving as a Student Resource Center Coordinator at the University of Mount Union. In addition to being a member of the Raider football team, he is also a part of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and serves as the recruitment chair. As a part of Phi Kappa Tau, Justin enjoys serving others in his free time, and looks forward to the additional opportunity to do so with Americorps.

Robert Walker – University of Mount Union

My name is Robert Walker and I am currently in my fourth year at the University of Mount Union, majoring in Psychology with minors in Biology, Chemistry, and Africana Studies. I have had a lot of opportunities at Mount Union; including, doing in service abroad, being a part of Mount’s Black Student Union, and serving in a wide variety of different offices on campus (Residential Life, Office of Admissions, etc.). Service is important to me because it fosters meaningful relationships and helps me to be my neighbor’s keeper. Now, I have the joy of serving and helping as an AmeriCorps member at the University of Mount Union’s Raiders Cove.

Benjamin (Ben) York – Miami University Middletown

Ben York (he/him/his) is a fourth year student at Miami Regionals, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Nonprofit & Community Studies. For three years he worked as a student assistant and later a student manager in the Middletown Campus dining services, where he met so many of his fellow Miamians. He is thrilled to join the Student Resource Center team as a way to give back to the Miami Regionals community. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his fiancé, Brad, his family, friends, and dog, Callie. He is also interested in sustainable living and gardens during the spring and summer.