Connecticut Campus Compact Fairfield University

							                        Connecticut Campus Compact
                        2011-2012 AmeriCorps VISTA
                            Position Descriptions
CTCC has 16 AmeriCorps VISTA positions for the 2011-2012 service year. Members will start their year of
service on 08/12/2011. Please review the position descriptions below. If you liked to apply for a position
please do so before 06/01/2011 and apply through AmeriCorps.gov. Please contact the host site with
any project related questions, or Katie Coutu, kcoutu@fairfield.edu, with any Campus Compact related
questions. We hope that you find a position that matches your interests!


Central Connecticut State University
Contact: Richard Cheney
860-832-2270
1615 Stanley St., New Britain, CT 06050

Service Description:
The VISTA volunteer will be involved in two projects at Central Connecticut State University-
Community Central and ConnCAP. These two projects are a continuation of the 2010-2011 VISTA
projects at CCSU. Community Central is a centrally located street-level, storefront center in downtown
New Britain where middle and high school students receive support from CCSU students and faculty in
the areas of schoolwork, the arts, and small business entrepreneurship. The 2010-2011 VISTA volunteer
was intimately involved in the creation of the center with a particular focus on capacity building. It is
envisioned that the 2011-2012 VISTA member will continue with the development and delivery of
Community Central services and offerings.
Established in 1987 under the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education, the Collegiate
Awareness and Preparation Program (ConnCAP) was designed to increase the number of graduating
high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds and prepare them with the necessary skills and
motivation for success in college. Now, in its second decade, Central Connecticut State University's
ConnCAP Program is one of the oldest and largest in the state. Over 2,200 students have participated in
CCSU's ConnCAP program, which has an average program retention rate of 90% and a college-going rate
well above the national average. The VISTA volunteer will continue to provide assistance in the
expansion of ConnCAP services. Access to a personal car, adequate insurance coverage, and a valid
driver’s license is a requirement.

Member Duties
The VISTA member will: work with CE/CE office to research, write, and submit grant proposals; organize
a Re-Branding campaign for The Community Central Project; coordinate Community Central Tutoring
Program; Develop a mentoring program in New Britain Elementary Schools; manage Community Central
Art Gallery management group; create and establish downtown Mural project; develop projects that will
connect Community Central and the CCSU student government association; coordinate a tutoring and
mentoring program for Junior Hurricanes football league; establish Advisory board for Community
Central; and assist the Office of Continuing Education & Community Engagement in building the
community engagement capacity of the office.




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
Connecticut College
Contact: Tracee Reiser
860-439-2105
270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320

Service Description:
Connecticut College has a mission to prepare young adults to contribute to the world. Teams of faculty,
staff, students and community partners develop and implement a wide variety of projects designed to
both advance student development and address identified community needs. The College’s Community
Learning/Service Office recruits, trains, and transports 500 students annually. The college students work
in schools, hospitals, and human services. They work with community partners and contribute to
increased academic levels, increased program capacity to deliver services, and expanded research. They
work in New London where 19.2% of residents and 31.9% of children are below the poverty level and a
majority of children and youth do not demonstrate mastery on Connecticut State Mastery Tests. The
community is ethnically diverse and has a large Spanish speaking population. This VISTA project focuses
on educational partnerships with the New London Public Schools to increase academic success and
physical fitness.
VISTA members (2) assist in developing and implementing projects. They expand opportunities for
college students to increase their knowledge of community issues and how to best engage in addressing
issues. They cultivate and solidify active citizenship and guide students engaged in community learning
and service with the population of New London. The VISTAs contribute to capacity building with
community based organizations that advance positive youth development, academic success, and
expand health and wellness. They strengthen collaborative structures and solidify sustainable
partnerships. Extra benefits include college housing and partial college food plan. BA/BS or appropriate
experience required along with good communication/interpersonal and computer skills.

Member Duties:
One VISTA will improve academic success of the New London student population in order to increase
retention and graduation rates by: establishing and implement structure for the School/College New
London High School AVID project; expanding the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School/Connecticut
College Mentor Programs; and strengthening the School/College Tutorial Program.
The other VISTA will increase physical fitness and nutrition knowledge of New London children and
youth in order to reduce child/youth obesity by: building collaborations with community partners to
expand and strengthen the Project Kids, Books & Athletics Project – Project KBA; and deepening the
culture of engagement on the Connecticut College campus.



Dwight Hall at Yale
Contact: Johnny Scafidi
203-432-2429
67 High Street, P.O. Box 209008, New Haven, CT 06520-9008

Service Description:
Dwight Hall at Yale, Center for Public Service and Social Justice, seeks a VISTA member to build capacity
and support the activities of Co-Op After School (CAS), an innovative afterschool program for students at
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School. In 2010-2011, CAS offered over 30 unique programs in
visual and performing arts, creative writing, architecture, academic enrichment, and civic and cultural




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
engagement for 300 students (nearly half the student body). CAS aims to give students the flexibility to
explore areas outside of their chosen arts discipline, as well as the opportunity to deepen their study of
their chosen art. It maintains a supportive, nurturing, safe environment that provides students with
opportunities for enrichment and experiences outside of the normal school day. CAS Instructors include
Co-Op teachers and professional artists in the community, as well as college students who serve as
teaching assistants.
The VISTA member will be engaged in all aspects of the program from student recruitment to volunteer
engagement, instructor support, and development of internship opportunities for high school youth.
The member will have the opportunity to access the tremendous resources of Yale University and
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, which features includes a professional 350-seat theater,
state-of-the-art video production studios, dance studios, choral chambers, and instrumental music
rehearsal spaces. CAS programs frequently take advantage of Co-Op’s prime location in downtown New
Haven, giving students access to the nearby galleries, theaters and University resources A valid driver’s
license is preferred.

Member Duties:
The VISTA will: provide support to improve academic performance for Co-Op High School students by
work with school staff (such as teachers, student staff support teams, etc) to pair tutors and
mentors with students in the afterschool program who require additional support; promote
supportive environment for Co-Op students through communication about program
achievement and activities with parents/families; promote appreciation for career
opportunities in the arts and workforce skills students acquire through the afterschool
program; develop training resource and host workshops for Co-Op students so they are
adequately prepared to successfully engage in volunteer roles/internships in Summer
2012 and/or extended vacations during academic year; Work with school staff to recruit at least
150 Co-Op students to participate in afterschool programming, engaging youth in positive
opportunities during out-of-school time; publicize volunteer opportunities related to the
programming and enlist volunteers with backgrounds in the arts and ability to support youth;
Develop a system to track volunteer contributions and assess impact; and assist Director of CAS
to establish internship (workforce development) opportunities with local businesses for youth
during Summer 2012 and extended school vacations.



Eastern Connecticut State University
Contact: Kimberly Silcox
860-465-4426
83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226

Service Description:
Eastern Connecticut State University will have 2 VISTA members in our Community Service Office, a
component of the Center for Community Engagement at Eastern. VISTAs work closely with community
partners, faculty and students to address critical community concerns through development of mutually
beneficial community service programs for student volunteers. Activities include management of
volunteers in weekly programs with local schools, care facilities and social service agencies, school and
municipalities in the development of service programs for students. VISTAs also enhance student
understanding of public service careers and post-college opportunities, and promote student



                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
engagement by conducting presentations for New Student Orientations, Clubs and Organizations, and
academic courses. VISTAs members serve as advisors to service clubs on campus, mentor students and
serve on local nonprofit boards. VISTAs oversee transportation for students to service sites, lead
Alternative Spring Break trips, maintain the Center for Community Engagement website, and develop
public relations campaigns. This multi-faceted position is fast-paced, requiring frequent evening and
weekend work. On-campus housing and meal plan during the academic year is offered. A valid driver’s
license is required but a personal vehicle is not necessary.

Member Duties:
The VISTAs will: recruit student volunteers for community service and mentoring programs; develop
trainings for student volunteers; assist with the expansion of High School Panel; develop site director
training and retention plan; develop pre-service orientations for student volunteers in on-time events;
plan and execute annual community events including Day of Giving, Canned Food Drive, Penguin Plunge,
etc…; develop community partnerships; and develop a retention plan for student volunteers programs.



Fairfield University
Contact: Melissa Quan
203-254-4000
1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824

Service Description:
The Fairfield University VISTA member will work to enhance the University’s engagement focus on
education by a.) fostering sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations and
educational institutions in Bridgeport, CT an b.) helping to build the organizational capacity of these
organizations and Fairfield University to serve their communities by promoting student, faculty and
community partner collaboration through academic service-learning, community service, and
community-based research. Additionally, the VISTA will focus on identifying community partners to
support community-based learning experiences in the field of humanitarian action and will provide
general support to the Office of Service Learning, faculty and students. Fairfield is seeking a candidate
with experience in community service and academic service learning, preferable in a leadership capacity.
The ideal candidate for the position will have an interest in issues related to education, literacy, and
social change. A valid driver’s license is required and a reliable personal vehicle is strongly encouraged.

Fairfield is able to offer: affordable housing on campus; a campus parking permit; campus dining dollars;
university gym membership; proximity to culturally-rich, major cities including Bridgeport, Stamford and
New Haven, CT and New York.

Member Duties:
The Fairfield VISTA will help to design, coordinate and support the First Year Experience pilot service-
learning course in partnership with Cesar Batalla School; support and coordinate collaborative work with
Central High School either in alignment with the Youth Empowerment Zone Learn and Serve Grant
proposal or specific activities resonating from the proposal. They member will provide support to
faculty teaching Service-Learning courses and help facilitate the Service-Learning Associates Program.




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
Gateway Community College
Contact: Anne Williams
203-285-2170
60 Sargent Dr., New Haven, CT 06511

Service Description:
Gateway Community College (GCC) offers high-quality instruction and comprehensive service in an
environment conducive to learning and responds to the changing academic, occupational, technological
and cultural needs of a diverse population. GCC offers 90 plus academic programs to over 11,000
students annually. The assigned VISTA member will play a pivotal role in helping to assess, evaluate,
measure institutionalize and broaden GCC’s academic community-based learning and community
engagement efforts relative to the college’s mission, vision and strategic and long-range plans. The
VISTA member will help initiate a College- wide discussion of community-building to extend program
reach; develop a system to coordinate volunteer activities to create a single-point access tool for
community members and volunteers; assess the needs of community non-profits; establish volunteer
protocols; evaluate the institutions’ impact on the community; and create marketing materials.

Member Duties:
The VISTA member will identify academic, student service and college community engagement activities
and develop a database. Identify outcome assessment measures currently used and establish standards
for data gathering to measure outcome assessment. Support the development and implementation of a
system to coordinate volunteer activities and create a single-point access tool for volunteer efforts.
Support college-wide discussion of the uses and benefits of community-based activities.



Housatonic Community College
Contact: Alan Barkley
203-332-5967
900 Lafayette Blvd Bridgeport, CT 06604

Service Description:
Housatonic Community College (HCC), an urban community college, is searching for a VISTA member to
assist HCC in strengthening its retention and graduation efforts to ensure that more HCC students
graduate with the academic preparation to transfer to a four -year university and/or enter the
workforce. The College is specifically interested in a person who can work with students of diverse
backgrounds including students of color, first generation students, and specifically students enrolled in
the College’s General Studies Program. This individual will work in collaboration with College faculty and
staff to provide programming for currently enrolled student in the General Studies major.

Member Duties:
The VISTA member will increase General Studies students civic engagement through the coordination of
on-campus social events to encourage students to get to know one another and become more familiar
with HCC. Meet with business and non-profit community leaders to discuss linkages between HCC and
the community; explore opportunities for students to become engaged with the community they live in.
Prepare students for community-based work and community service experiences through job readiness
activities on campus. Provide orientation and guidelines to students prior to the start of their
community-service and work experience.




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
Manchester Community College
Contact: Tim Woods
860-512-2761
MS4, PO Box 1046, Manchester, CT 06040

Service Description:
Manchester Community College is searching for a VISTA to join us in strengthening our college and
community. Our project stands out from those proposed by most four-year institutions in that a
significant number of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Another distinguishing
feature of our students is their long-standing commitments to the local community, as many have grown
up in the community and most continue to live, work, and maintain family ties in the same community
in which they attend college. We are specifically interested in a VISTA willing to play a leadership role in
facilitating the incorporation of a career-service pathways to opportunity and a job training and skill
development components into our service-learning program and facilitating civic engagement as a tool
to improve college access and success. The VISTA will work alongside a diverse group of MCC faculty,
staff, students, town officials, neighborhood residents, community organizations, and local businesses to
develop, sustain, and provide outcome measures of our community engagement program. The
successful candidate will possess familiarity and experience with college/community engagement
programs, excellent research, organizational and communication skills, a team approach, experience
collaborating with diverse populations and access to a personal vehicle and valid driver’s license.

Member duties:
The VISTA member will build on the efforts of the current year-long VISTA to build and sustain campus
organizational capacity to serve and increase impact on low-income populations by: strengthen existing
partnerships, work to expand partnerships; and to provide faculty assistance in Service-Learning course
development and assessment, special attention given to career programs. The VISTA will also assist in
the establishment of a targeted community partnership and service-learning experience in a college
readiness course focusing on students of color and first-generation college students by: planning,
organizing, assessing pilot course and student outcomes; and to organize and administer MCC's pilot
programming and assessment for Student Development course.



Norwalk Community College
Contact: Courtney Anstett
203-857-3369
188 Richards Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854

Service Description:
The VISTA at Norwalk Community College (NCC) will be part of an expanding initiative on civic
engagement and community outreach between the college and the greater Fairfield County, CT
community, primarily in the cities of Stamford and Norwalk. The VISTA will support NCC’s mission
statement by creating and standardizing a framework to institutionalize community engagement on
campus. The VISTA will work closely with partners from multiple constituencies employing strong
interpersonal skills. Within the college, the VISTA will work closely with the student body, student clubs
and organizations, faculty, administration, and staff. Externally, s/he will be the link to the greater
community facilitating civic engagement activities.




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
Member duties:
The VISTA’s service includes three close internal collaborations: one with NCC’s departments of Student
Activities with the goal of increasing student involvement in civic engagement, and the second with the
department of Institutional Effectiveness to create a system to track all community participation and
service hours completed by members of the college (students, faculty, and staff). For the third
collaboration, the VISTA will work with the Center for Teaching & Learning to establish faculty and staff
professional development strategies that promote civic engagement.



Three Rivers Community College
Contact: Ann Branchini
860-383-5204
574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360

Service Description:
The focus of Three Rivers Community College VISTA will be Service Learning. Service Learning provides
opportunities for learners to give necessary service to the community, and for community members to
receive necessary services. The VISTAs role at TRCC is to grow Service Learning at the college and in the
greater community. TRCC’s current VISTA has laid much of the framework to expand the Service
Learning program. We are now looking for a VISTA member to assist us in addressing the advancement
of our students through Service Learning. This will be done by increasing the financial literacy of
economically disadvantaged students, preparing them for transfer and other educational opportunities,
and introduction to service careers. The expectation is for our economically disadvantaged students to
be better prepared for the transfer process; whether it is to a career or continued education.

Member duties:
For economically disadvantaged students the VISTA will: develop workshops and information sessions
on financial literacy; provide referral services; evaluate the impact of the financial literacy programs on
students that attend the workshops; and indentify and prepare students for further educational
opportunities and service careers. The VISTA will continue to build on and refine previous member’s
framework, update and expand community service site lists, find ways to expand college service events,
and increase campus awareness of Service Learning.



Tunxis Community College
Contact: Cathryn Addy
860-255-3600
271 Scott Swamp Rd., Farmington, CT 06032

Service Description:
Tunxis Community College is looking for a VISTA member to serve in a capacity building and
coordination role assisting students, faculty, and staff in enhancing civic engagement and involvement in
solving community issues. The VISTA will work collaboratively with students, faculty and community
partners in service learning projects in allied health dental hygiene and in Native American Studies, in
order to foster career pathways in each. The VISTA will identify and /or develop student career
opportunities and/or projects both in the local service area of the college as well as within the United
States with particular emphasis on underserved populations.




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
Member duties:
The VISTA will cultivate partnerships with community-based organizations in diverse areas addressing
the needs of the underserved, low-income or at- risk individuals; Working with faculty and staff to
create and coordinate service learning activities and projects; Plan and implement information
dissemination, workshops ,or other appropriate activities in conjunction with the Tunxis Service
Learning Advisory Board; Conduct or actively participating in presentations and meetings with faculty,
students, and community members to increase awareness of service learning and community
engagement; Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and placing of student volunteers; Provide
leadership development, training support, and reflection activities for student volunteers; Build the
capacity for the campus to create sustainable service programming and partnerships.



University of Hartford
Contact: Matt Blocker
860-768-5409
200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford, CT

Service Description:
The University of Hartford is pleased to announce that they are seeking an energetic and enthusiastic
AmeriCorps VISTA in their Center for Community Service. The AmeriCorps VISTA will have the
opportunity to work hands-on with university students to create lasting effective community
engagement projects. The candidate will have the opportunity to build relationships with non-profit
agencies in the Greater Hartford area and aid in establishing volunteer outreach opportunities. The
University of Hartford is located immediately outside the city of Hartford with a multitude of
opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The Hartford VISTA will; engage Community Partners, Students, Staff and Faculty with our new
volunteer management online system; monitor volunteer software for reporting of accurate data;
coordinate full participation for campus community to utilize software for all Service- Learning and
Community Service; research non-profits and tour facilities in the area in different fields that deal with
health and education issues and poverty and recruit them as community partners; and work with
academics/professors to find out needs and requirements for Health /Education service-learning criteria
to vet potential Community Partners.


University of New Haven
Contact: Sally Anastos
203-479-4588
300 Boston Post Rd, West Haven, CT 06516

Service Description:
 The AmeriCorps VISTA at the UNH will work to increase opportunities for students to become engaged
citizens and to strengthen partnerships between UNH and community-based organizations. The VISTA
will be responsible for enhancing UNH’s Community Work Study Program and the Academic Service-
Learning (ASL) Advisory Committee. The Community Work Study Program has approximately 25
students who are selected each year and matched with a local nonprofit organization. Students develop
an increased sense of community responsibility and develop career awareness while simultaneously



                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.
serving as a vital resource for underfunded community organizations. The VISTA will expand the ASL
Advisory Committee to include UNH students and nonprofit leaders to join faculty in institutionalizing
service-learning. The purpose of the advisory committee is to develop and guide the vision of service-
learning at UNH. Additionally, the VISTA will provide student workshops titled ‘Careers in the Common
Good’ to educate students about the nonprofit sector and about employment opportunities. Lastly, the
VISTA will assist in promoting service-learning by creating brochures, bi-monthly newsletters, updating
the website, and assisting with special events. The VISTA must possess excellent organizational,
computer, writing and verbal skills, and must be comfortable presenting in front of groups, be able to
handle multiple priorities effectively, be able to interact with a wide variety of constituents, have
excellent follow-through, and enjoy working in a collaborative environment. Creativity is a plus.
Personal vehicle and valid driver’s license is required. VISTA receives a free UNH recreation
membership.

Member Duties:
The VISTA will work collaboratively with UNH Financial Aid office and community partners to improve
our Community Service FWS program. The VISTA will serve as a liaison between the Financial Aid Office
and the Academic Service-Learning Office and community partners. The VISTA will promote and
encourage participation among students and nonprofit organizations.
The VISTA will enhance the Careers in the Common Good workshop developed by previous VISTAs and
will provide 2-4 workshops during the academic year. The VISTA will work directly with the Director of
Academic Service-Learning to revitalize the ASL Advisory Committee. The VISTA will seek UNH students
and local nonprofit leaders to join UNH faculty in forming an active advisory committee. Promote the
Academic Service-Learning Office and its achievements to increase civic engagement opportunities.




                       Click here to apply for a position. Apply before 6/01/2011.