at the National Service-Learning Conference®
As a fifteen-year-old, Heman Bekele was named TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year for his groundbreaking skin cancer prevention and treatment work. Born in Ethiopia, he immigrated to the US as a four-year-old with his family. Heman’s memories of people working under the glaring sun, plus the dramatic differences in skin cancer survival rates, were his driving forces. He developed a skin cancer-treating soap that encourages dendritic cells to boost their immune responses, thereby protecting the skin as an immunotherapeutic, a promising approach to early-stage cancer detection and treatment. As a previous winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, Heman is working with scientists to conduct clinical trials on mice and is on his way to securing a patent.
Christian Hovard is a senior at The Blake School in Minneapolis. Since 9th grade, he has volunteered at Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), a local food shelf in Minnesota. Curious about funding and additional ways to get involved, he met with the CEO and started Chef Christian’s Catering 4 Charity to supplement VEAP’s funding, which garners donations for VEAP. He is using his passion for cooking to benefit the MN community.
Peter Levine is an Associate Dean and Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs in Tufts University’s Jonathan Tisch College of Civic Life. He is a political philosopher and political scientist who specializes on civic life and has helped to develop Civic Studies as an international intellectual movement.
Dr. Matthew C. MacWilliams is the Global Public Opinion Lead of the Foundation International Communications Hub (Comms Hub), a foundation based in Spain that is dedicated to the furtherance of civil society and democracy globally. Dr. MacWilliams is also, a Non-Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, Senior External Adviser to European Movement International in Brussels, and remains President of MacWilliams Sanders Communications. Dr. MacWilliams earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Massachusetts where he was a Visiting Research Associate and lectured on democracy and participation in the international Civic Initiative program.
Amy Meuers is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Leadership Council, the leading service-learning organization in the country for more than 40 years. Amy has spent 20 years with NYLC leading both national and international service-learning initiatives that expand the capacity of educators to utilize service-learning as an instructional strategy with students of all age-levels. Under her leadership, NYLC launched Youth as Solutions, a national service-learning program that supports teams of youth across the country in addressing issues impacting their communities.
Enrique has 15 years of experience as a consultant to the Ministry of Education of Argentina, specializing in promoting service-learning projects. He supported the service-learning institutionalization processes as an external consultant at several Latin American Universities. Since the creation of CLAYSS, he has been in charge of the International Relations of the organization, and the coordination of training activities and support for HE.
Andrew has been involved with Thirst Project, the world’s largest youth water organization, since 2014, serving as a student leader, a public speaker, and now their Director of School Programs. Andrew knows that young people are the most powerful mechanism for change in our world, and through Thirst Project, Andrew gives students all over the world the knowledge, motivation, and tools they need to end the global water crisis once and for all!
Sarah is a faculty member at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the Director of the first-year Great Problems Seminar program. She was the founding director of Lehigh University’s Center for Community Engagement and faculty member in Sociology and Anthropology. She co-chairs the Imagining America Assessing Practices of Public Scholarship (APPS) collective, which focuses on democratically-engaged assessment practices to empower and transform systems, communities, and individuals. She is also the co-director of the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative (The Collaborative), a membership organization dedicated to advancing community-based global learning and research for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
Allie Acevedo is the Volunteer Recruitment Manager for Appalachia Service Project (ASP). She began volunteering with ASP at 14 and is excited to share with you the impact that ASP’s programing can have on youth. ASP provides one of the most rewarding structured youth service opportunities in the nation — bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to provide critical home repairs for hundreds of low-income families each year.
As an Education Specialist at the Chattahoochee-Flint RESA in Georgia, JoAnna addresses non-academic barriers to student success and helps build capacity for educators through specialized professional development. JoAnna demonstrates excellence in classroom teaching and research that focuses on languages, literacy, and service-learning. A driving force of her work is the belief in student voice to celebrate local history and servant leadership.
A mama, partner, friend, sister and daughter – Shei is an international educator with extensive experience in inquiry and conceptual-based learning, skilled in teaching students across grades 1 to 12. Shei’s deep commitment lies in leading service, solutionary approach, global citizenship, and community engagement initiatives, enhancing collaborations with youth, educators, and organizations globally. Shei is pursuing a Master’s degree focusing on educational neuroscience, children and youth development, and international mindedness through the University of the People in partnership with the International Baccalaureate Organization.
As the Director of Learning and Leadership at NYLC, Julie Rogers Bascom has dedicated over 20 years to advancing service-learning as a powerful tool for problem-solving in communities. She specializes in providing professional development for state leaders, K-12 teachers, afterschool professionals, and community leaders, equipping them with the skills and strategies needed to implement effective service-learning programs.
Dr. Kristin Bourdage is a former middle grades teacher, Associate Professor of language and literacy, Department Chair of Education, a literacy instructional coach, and a curriculum and instruction administrator. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Professional Learning for at Partnerships for Authentic Learning and Leadership, a non-profit organization that supports K-12 schools with designing and implementing service-learning.
Jill Carey is an award-winning entrepreneur who started her first business in high school to finance her college education. She worked at Groupon during its meteoric rise, and then founded Youth Alliance Yoga, a social-emotional enrichment program for students in Chicago. After selling YAY in 2023, she joined Civic Bridgers to launch and scale programming that trains young leaders to combat polarization and champion pluralism.
Director of Counseling of Taipei Municipal Minzu Experimental Junior High School, Taiwan
Ph.D. of Educational Administration and Evaluation of University of Taipei, Taiwan (2017-2023)
I am Executive Director of non-profit organization Stamp out Stigma for Mental Health serving youth across Canada. Focusing on mental health initiatives to provide poverty relief, food security, access to educational resources and training, programs focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion and mental health among all population regardless of race, age, or religion. Youth leaders are passionate about making a positive difference in the world.
Silas Cole is the Director of Programs at the Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the community to practice empathy, spread kindness, and volunteer where care is needed most. With over 12 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Silas specializes in program development and management. He currently leads initiatives focused on food insecurity, educational inequity, and teen mental health.
My service project Harvest Moon, which can be modeled in your community, is in honor of my Dad who passed away from colon cancer. I design paintings inspired by him and donate 100% of the profits to colon cancer efforts at the Roper St Francis Hospital in the Charleston, SC community. Spreading colon cancer awareness, funding medical advancements, and shining God’s light onto others through art is all that I am about- Painting for a Purpose!
Cayden Combs is a senior at Study Alternative High School in Springfield, MO. He has been involved in Study’s service-learning program for 2 years. Cayden help create and facilitate the on-site service-learning project at the National Service-Learning Conference last year. Graduating this spring, Cayden has started his college career by dual enrolling at Ozarks Technical College.
At Cortico, Sarah is dedicated to amplifying student voices to foster greater community understanding. Sarah works closely with Cortico’s newly formed Student Leadership Circle, helping empower student leaders to shape student-led dialogue, collaboratively solve problems, and cultivate new ideas. Her previous experience includes work in the government and nonprofit sectors where she focused on her commitment to health equity and food security.
Debra Giambo, Ph.D., is a Professor of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Florida Gulf Coast University in the College of Education. Research interests include multicultural study-away and service-learning experiences, engaging undergraduate students in research, effective instructional practices for English learners (ELs), culturally responsive teacher preparation, literacy and ELs, advocacy, and field experience-based research.
Greetings! My name is Chantel Kidd Gillus. My pronouns are she/her/hers, and I am from Weldon, North Carolina. I currently have an internship as the Oral Health Equity Intern under A Better Chance, A Better Community (ABC2). ABC2 is a community involvement organization that is both youth-led and youth-focused, and strives to invite systematic change.
Mollie Goldblum is the Teen Librarian at Providence Public Library. She has worked with youth of all ages in public libraries, schools, and out of school time programs for the last 9 years. Mollie is passionate about youth development, information and media literacy, and the power of stories.
Megan Hall is the Program Director for the Teens Lifting Teens Grant at Utah State University, where she oversees recruiting, budgeting, data collection & analysis, as well as writing curriculum and providing training and resources to the youth advisors on how to provide meaningful near-peer mentoring experiences and service learning for their youth. Last year they had 650 youth in their program and served over 7,000 youth state-wide.
Khristopher Hill is a dynamic leader whose work spans business, government, and community advocacy. A Michigan State University graduate in Comparative Culture and Politics, he began as a community organizer, earning the Princeton Prize in Race Relations. As COO of Austin Logistics, Director of the Austin Foundation, and a two-time appointee to the Michigan Community Service Commission, Hill empowers youth and drives impactful change.
Hello, my name is Vernita. As an autodidact and emotional polymath, I crafted SOL3U with 30 years of experience working with diverse groups. Through participating in the Service-Learning Leadership Program and Breath4Change, I earned my Yoga and SEL Facilitation certification. In my journey to regain balance in my life, SOL3U is a concept that views emotions as true energy and emphasizes the importance of generating your own light.
Dr. Jefferson has extensive experience in public education and academia. She has been active in program development in literacy and math at all levels of public education. She has designed services for students across the span of special education. She teaches at undergraduate and graduate levels. Her work on innovative and immersive projects include the High Riding Art and Equestrian Camp, Camp Adventure (Research), and Team2 Literacy Program.
In her four decades as an educator, Leria McKenzie has been privileged to work full time with K-12 students, as well as part-time with undergraduates. Her duties started at a private elementary school, which lasted for the next 15 years, followed by a transition to the high school level. Currently, Leria works full time at a private high school in the United Arab Emirates. She also serves as part-time lecturer at a university.
Ashley McPherson is the Director of Programs at DoSomething, where she oversees a team of mission-led professionals who ensure youth members’ civic curiosities are met with education and engagement opportunities. She is a seasoned non-profit leader who has dedicated her career to studying and providing solutions that assist historically overlooked populations in successfully entering and persisting in the workforce and society at-large.
Clark Moreland is the Director of the Heimmermann Center for Engaged Teaching at The University of Texas Permian Basin, where he serves on the Service Learning Advisory Committee. Clark has received several honors for his work as an educator, including being inducted into the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. His chapter about service learning in developmental education will be published in Little Orange Book 3 (UT Press, 2026).
My name is Emma Nieto and I am a recent graduate of the University of Texas. I am an evaluator for the Future Problem Solving Community Projects Program, where I help guide and assess creative and critical thinking in young problem-solvers around the world. In addition, I work as the Marketing and Communication Coordinator for the Austin Marathon, combining my passion for community engagement with strategic communication.
My name is Vishal Pannela and I’m 14 years old in the 8th grade. I live in Roanoke Rapids and I attend Chaloner Middle School. I like helping people and giving myself challenges and want to become a cardiologist. I play tennis, soccer, and chess. I live with my mom, dad, and little sister.
The Youth Agricultural Cooperative (YAC) is an innovative youth-led program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We engage young people aged 11-17 through service based experiences, leadership and shared governance, all grounded in agriculture and the environment. There are three organizational tenets to the YAC program: power equity for all members, a monetary award for time spent in the program, and service based learning.
Poppy Potter is a professional Energy Leadership Coach with over 30 years of experience empowering youth, educators, and youth development professionals. Poppy uses her expertise to support youth development practitioners’ wellness and professional growth through transformative coaching as the founder of Spark Potential, a coaching organization.
Linda V. Rivera is the Deputy Director, for the NJ Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, responsible for program planning, training, fiscal administration and marketing. Linda has over 26 years of experience in service-learning, youth service, volunteerism, grant writing. Linda is a member of the NJ Grant Writing Professionals, an advisory council member of the NYLC and a co-founder of B-Men–a mentoring program for at-risk youth.
Cheyenne is the Program Director at Riley’s Way, overseeing the Call For Kindness program that empowers young leaders (13-23) to launch social impact projects that inspire kindness and strengthen communities. With a background in community organizing and youth development, Cheyenne curates dynamic leadership development training and provides personalized support, amplifying young changemakers’ voices for a more compassionate and connected world.
Laura Roye has facilitated nonprofit support groups & educational professional development for over 17 years. She specialized in EdTech & STEM as a public educator for 13 years, presenting at conferences across the state to promote collaboration, digital leadership, global connections, growth mindset, & critical thinking. Laura brought her experience & expertise to TXPOST in 2022, joining the team as the Quality & Program Initiatives Manager.
Morgan Salinas is an AmeriCorps program coordinator at Youth Villages. Her program provides service learning projects for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. Within her three-plus years with the program, Morgan has helped successfully implement a variety of service learning projects, and empowered AmeriCorps members to provide thoughtful service learning projects to a population of youth who are often not asked to serve.
Dr. Karen Schreder is the Regional Faculty Fellow at California State University and is faculty in the School of Education. A lifelong educator, Dr. Schreder has worked in rural schools for most of her teaching career. As the Faculty Fellow, Karen works with Student Ambassadors from rural regions. The Student Ambassadors connect with their communities, conduct relevant research, and work to advocate for, and amplify the richness of our region.
Patricia Shafer is Executive Director of the international nonprofit organization NewGen Peacebuilders and the associated Youth & Peace in Action initiative. She also serves as Senior Fellow for Peace Education at Washington, DC-based Alliance for Peacebuilding and Global Ambassador with the Institute for Economics & Peace. In these roles, Patricia’s focus is on leadership for the design and delivery of peace education.
Margie Smagacz is the Project Based Learning Manager at Chicago Public School’s Department of Student Voice and Engagement. She has over 25 years of experience with Project Based Learning and is a Certified Project Based Learning Instructor through UPenn’s Graduate School of Education. Her work has has been pivitol in changing the high school Service Learning Graduation Requirement from volunteer hours to high quality Inquiry to Action projects.
Amiya Smith, a dedicated 18-year-old senior enrolled at Bertie Early College High School. My commitment to academic excellence is complemented by my active engagement in a diverse range of sports, including band, tennis, and basketball. I aspire to go to college for nursing and pursue the career path that is becoming a Travel Registered Pediatric Registered Nurse. Since late 2023, I have proudly served as an ambassador for School Meals For All NC.
I am Gambian by birth. I have attended school ranging from Sinchu Baliya Primary School, Sukuta Junior School, Koto Senior Secondary. Attended Gambia international business college for the pursuit of HNC/HND. I have worked at G4S security Company. I have founded Berlin FC Youth Association and Youth Service Gambia/Africa. I was selected country partner of Youth Service America for Global Youth Service Day. Peace revolution Fellows.
Aynsley is the Founder and CEO of Speak Out Sisterhood, a global nonprofit for young professional women in STEM. She directs their Generation YES internship program where college women develop and pitch social impact projects solving key barriers to women’s advancement in STEM. She is a sophomore studying Biology, Math and Entrepreneurship at UNC Chapel Hill on the premedical track, and cares deeply about the power of social entrepreneurship.
James is a global changemaker whose work has focused on supporting a new generation of youth leaders from over 50 countries that are designing innovative solutions for some of the world’s most pressing problems. He is the Executive Director of Compass Institute, a Senior Fellow emeritus at the University of Minnesota, and the co-founder (with his wife) of NYLC’s Professional Development Department.
Faiza Venzant is the Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and is also a Principal Investigator with the Assessing Diversity and Equity in Volunteer Inclusion project which is funded by AmeriCorps. In 2018, Faiza published her first children’s book entitled, My Mamma Wants to Eat Me Up! As a mother of two young boys, she has not actually eaten any of her children.
Driven by family, authentic action, nature, and reflection – Dom is an international school service learning educator with a passion for supporting those around him to develop their service leadership endeavours, especially young solutionary changemakers. He is inspired by the ways in which we can collaboratively draw on a constellation of knowledge, skills, and dispositions to regeneratively solve some of the world’s deepest systemic challenges. He has an academic background in exercise physiology and neurocognition, and holds a Master’s degree in Climate Change and Development through the University of London SOAS.
Director of General Affairs of Taipei Municipal Minzu Experimental Junior High School, Taiwan
Top 100 Elite Information Technology Application Talent Education Award, Taipei, Taiwan
I am Chester B. Williams. I am an Enfieldale in Enfield, NC. I am a 2002 graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a BS in Mathematics and BFA in Professional Theatre. I matriculated at Indiana University to earn my master’s in mathematical physics. I have worked in education for over 10 years in Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina respectively. I am the founder and CEO of ABC2.
As the Director of Admission + Community Outreach at GLOW Academy, Jen brings 20+ years of experience focusing on community relations, event planning, fundraising, project management, and volunteer engagement. A certified Red Cross Instructor, she has served on PTAs, volunteered with Girl Scouts and local nonprofits in NC. Her passion for service was sparked in childhood, assisting her Dad and older brothers, all dedicated volunteer firefighters.
Alli Zuel, CVA (she/her) is the Volunteer Engagement Manager at America’s Service Commissions (ASC). In her position at ASC, Alli works with service commissions that support AmeriCorps VISTA projects, Volunteer Generation Fund, and broader volunteer engagement strategies including youth service. Alli is a proud AmeriCorps alum. She achieved her Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) in October 2021.
Join Our Newsletter
Created by Cary Elizabeth Designs | All Rights Reserved