AmeriCorps VISTA at the Center for Advanced Research Computing

May 26, 2015

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), is a program that was first introduced to Congress in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, and incorporated into the AmeriCorps networks of programs in 1993. This year it is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and more than 7,000 Americans lend their skills and talents annually as VISTA members working to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

This year, through a grant awarded to the UNM Social Media Workgroup that is led by Professor Andrea Polli—a resident Research Group of the Center for Advanced Research Computing (CARC)—several AmeriCorps volunteers have joined CARC staff to work on specific projects that will continue to build capacity for STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math] in New Mexico. By fostering new initiatives, VISTA members enhance and expand UNM's ability to provide first-class education to the statewide community. The 2015-2016 VISTA members are Sara Cordova (CARC Marketing Group), Sean MacPhail (STEAM Design Specialist), JoDee Chavez (AmeriCorps VISTA STEAM Coordinator), and Agnes Chavez (STEAM Community Innovation Networker).