TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Cohort '26
Jessica Suggs
Transform Mid-Atlantic
VISTA Leader
Nina Brown
Community College
of Baltimore County
TMA Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) VISTA Bridges to Success Project
TMA CCBC VISTA Bridges to Success Project will improve economic outcomes for low-income students by developing a pathways-based outreach system that guides them from high school through college and into the workforce. The VISTA member will create a systematic framework for career programming and build a database of community and alumni partners to provide real-world career guidance. This project is designed to enhance graduation rates and decrease dropout numbers by giving students a clear, actionable plan for their academic and professional futures.
Coppin State University
| Coppin State University (CSU)Student Experience Project TMA VISTA |
| This VISTA project collaboration between Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA) and Coppin Admissions during the recruitment stage makes for a cohesive voice on student expectations and the student experience. The work continues in close collaboration with the First-Year Seminar course. This course, taught by faculty, will have intentional elements connected to the out-of-class experiences managed by the Eagle Achievement Center. The Second-Year Experience, a new offering at Coppin within the Eagle Achievement Center, will build on the outcomes of the first year. The second year will intentionally incorporate students taking leadership roles in the offerings and introduce service learning as an experiential way to further the learning outcomes.
The TMA AmeriCorps VISTA member will provide additional support to implement the civic engagement elements of the first- and second-year experiences. As mentioned above, service learning is an important outcome for students and aligns with the mission of Coppin State University. The VISTA's role will focus on developing service project opportunities, community relations connections, civic engagement experiences, and an entire class Service Day experience. The focus of this additional support with this specific lens can ensure that element of the curriculum gets all the attention deserved. |
Currently Recruiting
Homes Not Borders
The Refugee Economic Empowerment TMA VISTA at Homes Not Borders will seek to not only ensure economic empowerment but self-empowerment for the DC area refugee community.
The Storytelling Program will allow refugees to share their experiences with the local community and help create ties that will open doors for employment and integration. In the Newcomers to Neighbors program, they will connect local volunteers with newcomer families to help them integrate into their communities.
Through a Community Needs Assessment, they will help the refugee community advocate for themselves and tailor programs to their most pressing needs. At the end of the program DC’s refugee community will have a strong basis to improve their employment opportunities.
Currently Recruiting
Howard University
Howard University (HU) CARES Mental Health Clinic Development Initiative TMA VISTA
The HU CARES Mental Health Clinic Development Imitative at Howard University School of Education aims to expand access to mental health services for underserved communities in Washington DC -- particularly Wards 1, 7 and 8 - by building sustainable infrastructure, partnerships and capacity.
The VISTA member will support the development of long-term systems, community partnerships, and training programs that improve access to services and ensure sustainability of operations well beyond the service term.
Mariam Kamal
IRC Baltimore
Amplifying Client Voices, Community Engagement International Rescue Committee (IRC) TMA VISTA
At the conclusion of the year, the community Engagement VISTA in Baltimore will have increased the IRC's capacity to engage the community in meaningful activities that will help humanitarian immigrants facing poverty with economic opportunity.
By the end of Year 3, the VISTA member will have created a lasting framework for client involvement in various organizational programs and a Client Ambassador Program which provides direct client voice in IRC programming and activities.
Hayden Renaghan
IRC Silver Spring
Community Voices and Engagement IRC Silver Spring TMA VISTA
At the conclusion of the year, the Community Engagement VISTA in Silver Spring will have increased the IRC’s capacity to engage the community in meaningful activities that will help humanitarian immigrants facing poverty with economic opportunity.
By the end of Year 3, the VISTA members will have created a lasting framework for client involvement in various organizational programs and a Client Ambassador Program which provides direct client voice in IRC programming and activities.
Trinity Meggett-Johnson
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola York Road Food and Security Access Loyola University Maryland TMA VISTA
The York Road Food Security AmeriCorps VISTA Project aims to combat food insecurity and lack of fresh produce in the Govanstowne neighborhood of Baltimore.
The VISTA member will oversee the implementation and growth of the Govans Community Fridge and support other food access initiatives like the Healthy Corner Store Initiative and the Govans Farmer's Market. Through community collaboration and educational programming, the project seeks to increase food nutrition and equity, creating a healthier and more sustainable community.
Kyle Guzman
Loyola University Maryland
Strong York Road Schools Loyola University Maryland TMA VISTA
The Strong York Road Schools AmeriCorps VISTA project strengthens literacy outcomes and family engagement at Govans Elementary and Walter P. Carter Elementary Middle School.
In its final year, the VISTA will transition the CELP tutoring program into a student-led model in partnership with the CCSJ intern serving as the Service Coordinator, ensuring sustainability beyond the term of service.
Connor Nolan
Maryland Nonprofits
Karma Francis
Morgan State University
Morgan State University (MSU) Urban Farmers TMA VISTA
The Agrihood Baltimore Farmers Food Hub VISTA project addresses the AmeriCorps Priority Area of Healthy Futures by connecting MSU students with Plantation Park Heights Urban Farmers (PPHUF) on co-designing urban interventions for Neighborhood Food Security and youth unemployment.
Morgan is a member campus of TMA, and this VISTA project engages students with neighborhood youth working in urban farms creating a pathway for reciprocal development of expertise and an abundance mindset. This project develops a reciprocal relationship allowing students to learn from farmers about healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature and offering design ideas to enhance the human condition in neighborhoods.
Liam Campbell-Teague
Morgan State University
Morgan State University (MSU) Urban Farmers Food Hub TMA VISTA
The Agrihood Baltimore Farmers Food Hub VISTA project addresses the AmeriCorps Priority Area of Healthy Futures by connecting Morgan State University (MSU) students with Plantation Park Heights Urban Farmers (PPHUF) on co-designing urban interventions for Neighborhood Food Security and youth unemployment. Morgan is a member campus of TMA, and this VISTA project engages students with neighborhood youth working in urban farms creating a pathway for reciprocal development of expertise and an abundance mindset. This project develops a reciprocal relationship allowing students to learn from farmers about healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature and offering design ideas to enhance the human condition in neighborhoods.
Tiffany Roundtree
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) YES Program TMA VISTA
NDMU York Road Education and Service Program (YES) The Refugee Economic Empowerment project strives to break the cycle of poverty by improving academic outcomes and eventual college trajectories for students at Gavans Elementary, Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School and Turnbridge Public Charter
Kamaiya Johnson
Neighborhood Design Center
Neighborhood Design Center (NDS) Community Design TMA VISTA
The TMA Community Design VISTA Project, “Building, Sharing, and Expanding Power through Community Design”, addresses the need for long-term capacity building among the community partners that the NDC engages with through our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sponsored work in low-to-moderate income communities in Baltimore City.
In this role, the VISTA member supports new relationships and increased access to design, planning, and funding resources for community partners in Baltimore City. Through an in-depth process of ecosystem mapping, and a series of engagement and informational events, the VISTA project strengthens connection with community and institutional partners while providing and digital and print educational resources to key stakeholders.
Sameera Shaik
The Civic Circle
The Civic Circle "Amplify Youth Voices” TMA VISTA Project
The TMA & The Civic Circle "Amplify Youth Voices” VISTA Project institutionalizes new civic engagement programs for middle and high school students, leveraging music and the arts to empower them as active citizens.
The VISTA member will play a crucial role in expanding the organization’s reach and capacity by soliciting community input to shape after-school workshops and democracy concerts. Ultimately, the VISTA member’s work will directly address gaps in civic learning, helping to improve student achievement and empower youth voices through arts-based education.
Laura Dubon
Towson University
Towson University Support Military-Connected Student TMA VISTA
The Towson University Support Military-Connected Student Project aims to address poverty by supporting the health and economic stability of students at Towson University who are veterans and military-connected, addressing financial insecurity through financial literacy education and increasing Pell Grant utilization.
During the member service year, the VISTA member will boost persistence and retention rates by providing targeted academic, social, and personal support, including specialized one-on-one advising. The VISTA member will play a key role in sustaining education, professional, and social opportunities and expanding capacity through initiatives like the Annual Veterans Day Celebration and Resource Fair.
Wesley Koziol
Transform
Mid-Atlantic
Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA) Grants Development VISTA
The Grants and Community Education VISTA Project focuses on building capacity for TMA's community engagement programs on college campuses and with community non-profits. By developing and executing a grant-seeking strategy in collaboration with TMA staff, the project will alleviate poverty and build healthy communities through campus-community engagement programs.
The VISTA member will play an integral role in grants and fundraising meetings, strategy sessions, and development of sustainable systems for the acquisition and management of funding to support poverty relief and promote healthy futures, education, and economic empowerment.
Lisa Brown
Transform
Mid-Atlantic
Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA) Communications and Strategic Partnership Coordinator VISTA
The TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Communications and Strategic Partnership Coordinator will maintain a communications and website presence tailored towards highlighting TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni and individuals participating in TMA's other programs which will connect TMA's mission, vision and values with the VISTA Alums engagement in the region.
The VISTA member will also create a strategic communications campaign to engage more regional higher education institutions to participate in Schools for Nationals Service. This project will strengthen the relationship between TMA VISTA Alums, link higher education institutions to the Schools for National service program and improve TMA's communication strategies.
Laura Dubon
Towson University
Naomi McMillen
IRC Baltimore
Kendall Brennan
IRC Baltimore