About the Program
Cal Lutheran is one of eight universities partnering with the state of California
on a first-in-the-nation program to help students pay for college through public service
targeting pressing challenges in their region.
A core part of Cal Lutheran's mission is "to educate students for a global society who are committed to service and justice". The AmeriCorps Fellows Program aligns with the institution's mission by partnering with community organizations that focus on immigrant, low-income, and geographically isolated populations.
The program's theory of change posits that Ventura County residents who engage in highly personalized academic and social activities outside of school or work with a network of mentors and teachers will be more likely to develop the necessary foundation for academic and professional success. By placing AmeriCorps Fellows in their offices, they help bolster program delivery and the organizations' ability to market its activities through community outreach.
Corporation for National and Community Service and California Volunteers has partnered with Cal Lutheran to fund this program. It is housed in our Sarah W. Heath Center for Equality & Justice.
| Cynthia Duarte, Assistant Professor and Director of the Sarah W. Heath Center for Equality and Justice | Program Director |
| Matthew Ward, VP of Enrollment Management and Student Success | Strategic Planning Activities Director |
| Nina Schneider, AmeriCorps Coordinator | Community Engagement Specialist |
| Mayra Aurell, Administrative Coordinator and Budget Analyst, Enrollment Management and Student Success | |
| Amanda Souza, Admission Counselor, Office of Undergraduate Admission | |
| Kelly Owens, Senior Director of Sponsored Research and Projects | Grant Compliance Officer |
| Natalie Cabral, Graduate Student | AmeriCorps Graduate Student Coorinator |
