VA School Certifying OfficialFeb 2022 - Present

Served over 240 low-income college students from the Milwaukee and Twin Cities areas through constant technology-based communication (and in-person, when available).Functioned as an additional resource to students who did not have the novelty of a parent, or sometimes anyone in their immediate circle who has been to college. Helped connect students with their campuses, provided resources for scholarships, and served as cheerleader and part-time "therapist" as students worked to become independent, self-sufficient college graduates.Gave short presentations and tabled events to educate the public about our program and to recruit future AmeriCorps members to join our team.Assisted High School Coaches where needed in the classroom during their ACT prep sessions. Proctored practice and "Real Deal" ACT testing. Actively recruited and interviewed potential College Possible students. Lead review sessions for the Summer Bridge Program, which geared graduated seniors up for the transition from High School to College Freshman.AmeriCorps Member

Wolf Park was the summer of a lifetime for me. I was given the opportunity to learn from and hands-on with one of the most majestic mammals on the planet. For three months several other students and myself were given the task of helping maintain a wolf research facility and the animals that resided within it. I was able to experience learning in a whole new way. It wasn't always the cleanest job; it tested my limits in many ways. But I grew as a person, learned a lot about wolves and about myself, and was able to realize a passion for wildlife that I had only ever pondered at a distance. I got to live where history was made, and got to know some of the people and animals responsible for creating it. It was a short stay, but I'll always carry it with me.Duties included:Maintaining park grounds: mending fences, cleaning animal enclosures (and looking out for the mischievous animals in said enclosures). Caring for 14 Gray Wolves, 2 Coyotes, 2 Gray Foxes (and steering clear of 9 American Bison): feeding (including butchering roadkill deer 3 times a week), tracking and administering medications of all animals.Learning and maintaining critical knowledge of park history and wolf ecology.Leading tours 7 days a week (between 2 and 40 people in size).Looking after young children ages 5-12 at day/overnight camps.Working (and living) with a team of 8 other interns, as well as countless volunteers and full-time staff members.