The VISTA Project

The Challenge
During his service at the University of Maryland, Brian stepped in to address the critical need for a more structured approach to campus food insecurity. The pantry required a shift from basic service to a formalized, stakeholder-driven initiative.

The Solution
Brian was instrumental in establishing the Hunger-Free UMD Work Group, successfully identifying key stakeholders and drafting the group's mission statement. He also revolutionized the pantry’s internal operations by implementing student leader evaluations and improving data collection methods to ensure the program's long-term sustainability.

The Legacy
Beyond policy work, Brian expanded the pantry's community reach, specifically coordinating the distribution of holiday meals through a partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank.

Life After VISTA

Brian’s VISTA service acted as a real-world laboratory for his dual master's degrees in Business Administration and Global Environmental Policy. By managing complex partnerships and student leadership programs, he built the operational expertise necessary to transition from an intern at the White House to a specialized leader in the food systems sector.

Now based in Detroit, Brian serves as a Food and Health Fellow with the Eastern Market Partnership. He manages mobile market sites and healthy ambassador programs, directly applying the food access strategies and benefit utilization skills (such as SNAP and WIC) that he mastered during his VISTA year to build a sustainable regional food system.