2022-2023 Transform Mid-Atlantic / MICA Art & Design College Access Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA Member

About AmeriCorps VISTA : AmeriCorps VISTA is a highly competitive and prestigious one-year national service program offered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fight poverty through community-based projects. Transform Mid-Atlantic AmeriCorps VISTA members who complete a full year of service will receive a bi-weekly living allowance, basic health insurance, ongoing technical and professional development opportunities, an end-of-service education award of over $6,000, a full year of non-competitive eligibility when applying for positions in the federal government, and eligibility for the President's Volunteer Service Award. They will be part of a cohort of over thirty other Transform Mid-Atlantic AmeriCorps VISTA members in the Maryland, DC, and Delaware region.

About the Project at MICA : The MICA/BDS Art and Design College Access Project is a partnership between the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and the Baltimore Design School (BDS) and was created due to a shared commitment to the improvement of educational opportunities and access to MICA for Baltimore City students at BDS. There are two main components of this project: The first includes developing and implementing the BDS/MICA College Buddies program, and working to ensure the sustainability of the project for the long term. The second is to help to bridge the gap and shift the perception of MICA by strategically pioneering ways for BDS students to be exposed to opportunities at MICA, in turn creating access ways for all Baltimore City students. Over the course of the three year project, the Transform Mid-Atlantic AmeriCorps VISTA member will serve as the liaison between both institutions, coordinating communications and planning around specific joint projects that are a part of this plan, provide ongoing support and assistance to support the impact of MICA’s many areas of youth arts programming support and finally, work to develop programming that connects BDS students to opportunities at MICA. The BDS/MICA VISTA will have access to a workspace at MICA and BDS and will be expected to spend time at both locations, as well as at sites in Baltimore City.

Member Duties : The Transform Mid-Atlantic AmeriCorps VISTA will become a point person for strategic partnerships with Baltimore Design School in the broader community. In particular, creating partnerships to support access to tutoring for students as the BDS data indicates that students are struggling with reading and math and many families are asking for tutors to support their scholars. As BDS also looks to create a leadership program, they will utilize the VISTA to formalize internships and job opportunities with community partners and work to solidify training and preparation for how students should present themselves in these settings. The Transform Mid-Atlantic VISTA will be instrumental in moving these relationships forward as well as reaching out to other community organizations to leverage resources. We envision the opportunity to connect both students and parents with organizations and individuals who can provide educational assistance, resources, and knowledge as needed.