The VISTA Project

The Challenge
For Transform Mid-Atlantic (formerly CCMA) to truly build a healthy, equitable, global JEDI culture, it needed an intentional strategy woven through every individual, program, and community it touched. The organization required a dedicated leader to weave these principles into its DNA—impacting internal policies, procedures, and the 30+ VISTA programs operating across the region.

The Solution
Zandra partnered directly with the Executive Director to implement the JEDI Integration Initiative. She became the operational driving force behind the organization’s Internal Equity Audit, researching evidence-based practices to update organizational policies and support diverse VISTA recruitment. Furthermore, Zandra supported the Equity Task Force (ETF), gathering best practices and developing institutionalization rubrics and campus training tools to help higher education institutions deeply integrate JEDI into their civic engagement efforts.

The Legacy
Zandra successfully operationalized a robust, caring JEDI culture both internally and throughout the TMA network. Her foundational work ensured long-term sustainability by creating a permanent best practices manual for internal equity audits, as well as an enduring process for convening and implementing recommendations from future Equity Task Forces.

Life After VISTA

As an unprecedented five-time AmeriCorps VISTA, Zandra's service track record stands as a masterclass in the "VISTA-to-Career" pipeline. She utilized her extensive background in poverty relief, higher education, and network engagement to transition directly from her VISTA Leader role into a high-level executive position within the same organization. The specialized skills she developed in recruitment, onboarding, and data tracking seamlessly translated into top-tier non-profit administration and human resources.

Following her VISTA term, Zandra was hired as the Assistant Director for JEDI, AmeriCorps, and Programs at Transform Mid-Atlantic, where she served from February 2023 to July 2024. In this role, she collaboratively oversaw and administered the very same regional AmeriCorps VISTA anti-poverty program she once served in, driving capacity-building across campus and community partners. Today, as a Human Resources and National Service Professional, she is continuing to leverage her charismatic leadership, exemplary problem-solving skills, and deep programmatic knowledge as she transitions to her next opportunity to advocate for national service volunteers and foster positive social change.