In the spring of 2024, we announced the expansion of our Iowa AmeriCorps State and National grant to include the Nonprofit and Public Sector Career Readiness Program. This program offers students the opportunity to learn about and prepare for leadership in nonprofit and public sector work while strengthening their civic commitments and networking with like-minded peers across the state. We have intentionally designed this program so that all students participating as members will receive a $4,500 living allowance and a $1,500 Segal Education Award upon completion of their 300 hours of national service. Seed Coalition Executive Director Rob Barron called this “the beginning of an ambitious effort to rebuild civic capacity in the Midwest by introducing more college students to non-profit and public service careers.” Rob added, “We hear loud and clear from our member campuses that their students want and need paid opportunities to make a difference in their communities, and we believe this program will provide those opportunities.”
The Iowa College Corps Mentoring Program has been a huge asset to Grand View University. Because of the support of this program, we have been able to create initiatives that support retention efforts for our first-year students. Our new students have learned they are not alone in their transition to college and that their peers have personal experiences that can help support them.
Heidi Pries, Associate Dean of Students at Grand View University
This pilot program joins our existing Peer Mentoring program to form Iowa College Corps AmeriCorps, which will offer abbreviated (100 hour), minimum (300 hour), and full-time AmeriCorps member positions. We are thrilled to collaborate with both new and returning host sites in the upcoming academic year, with members placed across nine Iowa college campuses: Allen College, Buena Vista University, Central College, Drake University, Grand View University, Grinnell College, Mount Mercy University, and the University of Northern Iowa. Each campus will feature specialized programming, professional development, and a dedicated site supervisor committed to enhancing the student experience.
We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with these esteemed campuses and look forward to the achievements of next year’s program!
