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VISTA Support and History
The ACHIEVE program is supported by an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) position, which provides 3 years of VISTA members who serve one-year terms to build the capacity of community organizations to help alleviate poverty.
The VISTA is hosted by Juniata College, under the direction of Sarah Worley, Director of Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning and Assistant Professor of Communication. Travis Lee, principal of Huntingdon Area High School, serves as the VISTA’s community partner.
Click HERE if you'd like to learn more about AmeriCorps VISTAs!
Year 1 VISTA: Madison Hearn
Madison Hearn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Juniata College in 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and with Distinction in Biology. She is now attending Penn State College of Medicine and expects to earn her Doctor of Medicine degree in 2024.
Year 2 VISTA: Maria Fowler
Maria Fowler graduated Summa Cum Laude from Juniata College in December 2019 with a Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry and with Distinction in Biochemistry. She is now attending Penn State College of Medicine, where she is participating in an accelerated family medicine program. She expects to earn her Doctor of Medicine in 2024.
Year 3 VISTA: Cassandra Sanidad
Cassandra Sanidad graduated Summa Cum Laude from Juniata College in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She plans to attend graduate school in pursuit of Master’s and Doctor of Psychology degrees in the area of clinical psychology.
VISTA Advisory Council
The AmeriCorps VISTA member meets monthly with an Advisory Council of key community stakeholders to help inform the direction of the VISTA project. We appreciate the support of the Advisory Council members listed below!
TRAVIS LEE
- Huntingdon Area High School Principal
Kelly Maffia
- Broad Top Area Medical Center Behavioral Health/Mental Health Director
Tonya DeVecchis-Kerr
- Retired Superintendent
Christy Steidle
- Prevention Specialist at Mainstream Counseling
- Co-chair of Huntingdon County Prevention Network (HCPN)
Shelly Rivello
- Chief Operating Officer of Broad Top Area Medical Center
Lainie Drenning
- Director of Case Management at Penn Highlands Huntingdon
Bob Henry
- Adult Mental Health Program Specialist at Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services
Denise Shugarts
- Interagency Mental Health Coordinator at Tuscarora Intermediate Unit
Wendy Melius
- Executive Director of the Center for Community Action
Kimberly Snively
- Coordinator at Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata Crisis
Liz Mansberger Biography →
- Assistant Professor of Biology
- VLB 1050
- (814) 641-3626
- mansberger@juniata.edu
Lee Ann Deshong-Cook
- Assistant Professor of Social Work, BSW Program Director
- Social Work, Criminal Justice & Sociology Department Chair
- Good Hall G405
- (814) 641-3674
- deshong@juniata.edu
Sarah Worley Biography →
- Professor of Communication
- Communication Department Chair
- Director of Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning
- BAC C111B
- (814) 641-3168
- worley@juniata.edu
Kathryn Westcott Biography →
- Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology
- Psychology Department Chair
- Good Hall G416
- (814) 641-3656
- westcott@juniata.edu