AmeriCorps gives ISU New Honor

Photo courtesy to Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development Facebook page

NORMAL, Ill.- The Stevenson Center earned the university a new honor. Illinois State is now a School of National Service. Stevenson Center’s Senior Associate

Director Beverly Beyer said this is beneficial for the center because AmeriCorps members can now receive a financial package through a graduate program.

“It’s a concreate, nationwide recognition that proves the Stevenson Center and ISU are fulfilling the university’s value of Civic Engagement,” said Beyer.

As part of a national network, 270,000 AmeriCorps members and volunteers improve communities each year. Focus areas include disaster response, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.

The center now welcomes former AmeriCorps members to its Applied Community and Economic Development Fellows Program. This program is interdisciplinary and includes graduate assistantship, a paid internship, and a full tuition waiver.

The Stevenson Center has received education awards directly from AmeriCorps totaling over $300,000.

The center also has a partnership that allows some current graduate students to serve as AmeriCorps members during their year on campus and/or their second-year internship.

For those interested in becoming a Stevenson Center Fellow, the Stevenson Center is now accepting applications for fall 2021.

“The Stevenson Center is really home to the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps at ISU,” said Beyer.

Beyer said a lot of undergrads may not know about the programs that contribute to a better world through service.