HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 19, 2023 – High Point University is welcoming 16 recent college graduates as AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) to dedicate a year of service in the city of High Point. This is the largest group ever in HPU’s 11 years of hosting VISTAs to provide thousands of hours of service to local organizations.

This year’s cohort has nearly doubled in number, growing from nine to 16. Each VISTA works with a nonprofit in the city to build sustainable programs to address needs, such as food insecurity or education. The VISTAs will serve as a vital part of HPU’s Center for Community Engagement, connecting students and faculty to service opportunities in the city. Since the program began at HPU, a total of 49 VISTAs have served throughout the city.

HPU invests nearly $400,000 annually to provide housing, meals, office space and access to student volunteers to carry out projects with their partner agencies. Organizations the VISTAs work with include World Relief of the Triad, the Food Alliance of Greater High Point, Growing High Point, Macedonia Family Resource Center, the City of High Point Neighborhood and Community Development Division and the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum, and others.

Lovelle McMichael, assistant director of HPU’s Center for Community Engagement, begins his second year of working with VISTAs.

“The VISTAs are committed young professionals who are supporting local nonprofits with capacity building,” said McMichael. “I am honored to work for a program that has a mission to complete impactful service daily. Our VISTAs are helping our city fulfill its mission.”

This year’s VISTAs are:

Dihandra Williams, from Newburgh, New York, earned her master’s in communication and business leadership from HPU in May, and her bachelor’s degree in journalism from HPU in May 2022. She completed her first year as a VISTA working as a museum volunteer coordinator at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum. Williams returns as an AmeriCorps VISTA leader.

 “Serving as a VISTA member last year only increased my desire to give back, which is why I’m excited to now be serving as one of the two leaders of the program,” said Williams. “My previous year of service allowed me to grow on both a personal and professional level, and I look forward to providing this cohort with opportunities that will allow them to do the same. With a full cohort, my hope for this term is that we can continue to create sustainable programs addressing food security and education in ways that this city has never seen before.”

Williams’ long-term goal is to pursue a career in social justice and human rights initiatives.

Iyanna Salters, from Wellford, South Carolina, completed her first year as a VISTA at the Macedonia Family Resource Center and now serves as one of the two AmeriCorps VISTA leaders for this cohort. In her role, she will help new VISTAs reach their goals.

Salters chose to return to the HPU VISTA program due to the variety of service options and the opportunity to mentor those individuals who also want to serve. Salters says returning this year aligns with what she hopes to do as a future career.

 “During my past year of service, I spent a great deal of time working in the High Point community to help with programming for areas of need,” said Salters. “After completing one year, I wanted to return to continue the same work while also gaining more professional experience. When I learned about the opportunity to serve as VISTA leader, I knew this would be the perfect way for me to do so.”

 Salters’ long-term goal is to work with local nonprofits providing legal assistance to people who cannot afford it, and she’s excited to have this experience with the VISTAs.

Grant Hines, from Owings Mills, Maryland, is a Class of 2023 HPU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He returns as a Student Engagement VISTA while also pursuing his master’s degree in communication and business leadership at HPU.

“I am serving as a VISTA because during my undergrad time at HPU, I learned the importance of giving back to my community,” said Hines. “I want to give back to the city of High Point, a city that gave so much to me. If I can leave it better than I found it, then I can leave in peace.”

Sarah Barlow, a Class of 2022 graduate of Kenyon College in international studies from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, joins the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) as the 2023-24 Food Justice VISTA.

After serving a VISTA term with the city of High Point, Barlow decided to return for a second term to further explore and address food insecurity in the area. She hopes to bring together her background in international studies and refugee health with her local experience in the greater High Point area to improve the lives of the local community, both those new to the area and longtime residents.   

Recia Wright, from Zebulon North Carolina, is a Class of 2023 HPU graduate with a degree in graphic design. She serves this year as a Neighborhood Engagement VISTA at the Macedonia Family Resource Center.

She signed up to be an HPU AmeriCorps VISTA because of the amazing service opportunities to give back to the community, as well as networking opportunities to make connections that can be useful for her future career.

Zakiya Payne graduated in May 2022 with her Bachelor of Science in multimedia journalism from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and is from High Point, North Carolina. She worked last year as a Student Engagement VISTA and now serves as a VISTA with Communities in Schools of High Point.

“I signed on to be an AmeriCorps VISTA because I want to assist High Point community members and leaders in the work they are doing,” said Payne. “I am excited to collaborate and bring different perspectives to the table.”  

Lauren Riley, a Class of 2023 HPU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in design studies and graphic design concentration from High Point, serves as a VISTA at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum.

“For the past four years, I have had the amazing opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the Bonner Leader Program at High Point University,” said Riley. “After serving an amazing community here in High Point, I have realized the need for growth and help within these programs while also receiving immersive experience.”

Demetri Turner, a Class of 2019 graduate of UNC Greensboro from Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves as a VISTA with Resilience Inc., in High Point.

“From serving my country in the military to focusing my studies on ways to improve a community, working to improve the lives of residents of the High Point community through the VISTA program is a great honor,” said Turner.  

Martin Enriquez, a Greensboro, North Carolina native, graduated from HPU in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He serves a second year as a Mentorship VISTA at the Carl Chavis Memorial YMCA in High Point.

“I originally signed up as a VISTA last year to make an impact and learn more about the High Point community while also gaining work experience,” said Enriquez. “My goals are the same this year. I wish to continue making an impact on the community that I have learned to love and working toward becoming a better professional by learning new skills and taking on new challenges.”

Josh Cameron, a High Point native and Class of 2021 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, serves as a VISTA at YWCA High Point.

“My goal this year is to grow professionally and personally, such that I can better serve my community,” said Cameron. “Such growth will allow me to sow strength and health in my community.”  

Kyle Smith, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and Class of 23 Wake Forest University graduate, serves as a VISTA for World Relief of the Triad to help resettled refugees navigate the American health care system and provide integrated case management support.  

“I signed on to be a High Point University AmeriCorps Immigrant & Refugee VISTA because the nature of being an immigrant or refugee means that there has been a certain measure of hardship experienced,” said Smith. “I want to be someone who doesn't add to that hardship but rather diminishes it – to help provide sanctuary, resources and opportunities for anyone who has traveled this far to find it.”

Kathryn Shumaker, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Class of 2023 graduate from the University of Iowa with a political science and journalism degree, serves as a Partnership VISTA for High Point Schools Partnership, an initiative affiliated with Guilford Education Alliance.

Shumaker said she wanted to become an HPU AmeriCorps VISTA to make a difference in the community and better people’s lives. She was drawn to the HPU VISTA program because it allows her to make an impact, but also gain professional skills and experience.

Dani Rubio, from Lexington, North Carolina, is a Class of 2023 Duke University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in earth and climate sciences and a minor in global health, who serves as a Food Entrepreneurship VISTA at Growing High Point, a nonprofit created to alleviate food insecurity within the city of High Point.

“I chose to be an HPU AmeriCorps VISTA as it aligns with my passion for sustainability, planetary health and equity,” said Rubio. “Being a part of this program will allow me to immerse myself in a community-driven approach to address food disparities in the High Point community. In addition, focusing on capacity building ensures lasting change.”

Hassan Allah, a Class of 2021 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University from Greensboro, North Carolina, serves as a VISTA at the Community Writing Center.

“I chose to become an AmeriCorps VISTA because I have always been a purpose-driven person,” said Allah. “I’m a person who finds joy in helping others and impacting their lives positively. Also, I am a native of the Triad area, so impacting the area in which I grew up is a priority for me.”

Ja’Niya Rice, from Durham, North Carolina, graduated from HPU in May with degrees in media production and entrepreneurship. She returns to serve as a VISTA for the city of High Point.

“I wanted to be a part of the AmeriCorps VISTA program because I want the communities around us to know they have a shoulder to lean on, and there are people who care for them,” said Rice. “Service has always been a passion of mine, since I was a little girl helping at my church’s food pantry. I know that we can and will make a difference and this is why I chose to serve.”

Abby Forrence, a Milford, New Hampshire native, graduated in May from Southern New Hampshire University with degrees in sociology and politics & global affairs. She serves as an Enrichment VISTA with D-Up, a local nonprofit and afterschool program aimed at teaching children how to live healthy lifestyles.

“I decided to come to High Point because I believe in the power of community engagement, and HPU does just that,” said Forrence. “I am honored to be a part of a cohort, combining community and education, and I am excited to work alongside folks who are passionate about service. Working to expand opportunities and pathways to success for young people is an investment into the future. D-Up and other nonprofits are the key to these investments. I feel that HPU offers community and belonging, and I am excited to be a part of that mission.”

High Point University is welcoming 16 recent college graduates as AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) to provide thousands of hours of service to local organizations. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Iyanna Salters, Lauren Riley, Zakiya Payne, Sarah Barlow, Dani Rubio, Lovelle McMichael, Abby Forrence, Recia Wright, Ja’Niya Rice and Dihandra Williams. In the back row from left are Josh Cameron, Hassan Allah, Martin Enriquez, Kathryn Shumaker, Kyle Smith, Grant Hines and Demetri Turner.