Why AmeriCorps?
Mission and Vision
The Albion College AmeriCorps program is a leadership and community engagement initiative designed to foster a culture of volunteerism among Albion College students. Our primary goal is to provide students with pathways for impactful service within the local community.
We strive to serve alongside our partners in the community to do mutually beneficial work, supporting local priorities while helping students grow as leaders who understand the realities and challenges facing the people around them. Through this work, students develop a deeper sense of leadership and social consciousness. Ultimately, we aim to nurture a lifelong commitment to service and active citizenship, fostering a generation of leaders dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable future.
Program Benefits
The AmeriCorps program at Albion College benefits both our community and our students.
Experiential Learning
Training and Development
Stipend
Education Award
Albion AmeriCorps provides hands-on opportunities to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Members work closely with local partners on projects that meet community needs, gaining valuable leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
This immersive experience deepens understanding of social issues and fosters reflection, helping members connect their service to academic growth and personal development.
We host approximately eight training sessions per semester focused on:
- Leadership & Professional Skills:
- Public speaking, networking, meeting planning, and resume building.
- Community Engagement:
- Understanding community assets, event planning, and working with diverse populations.
- Personal Growth:
- Mindfulness, burnout prevention, time management, and setting healthy boundaries.
These trainings prepare members to serve effectively and thrive beyond their term.
We provide a living allowance to help cover your expenses while you focus on your service. This is not an hourly wage but it is meant to support your financial needs and is comparable to on-campus jobs.
Payments are received biweekly.
After successfully completing your service hours, you are eligible to receive the Segal Education Award.
It can be used to pay a bill at Albion or towards federal student loans.
Student Leaning Outcomes (SLOs)
SLOs are the key skills and knowledge areas we want every AmeriCorps member to gain through their service. While each member’s experience will look different depending on their site, these outcomes reflect the core things we believe everyone will practice and grow in during their term.
SLO #1- Community well-being
Students will be able to explain how different community challenges and systems affect the well-being of people in their community.
- Identify and describe one or more systemic issues affecting communities.
- Explain how their service connects to or addresses a challenge issue.
- Reflect on how systems relate to their own role or identity.
SLO #2- Understanding Albion
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the Albion community and their role within it.
- Identify a current need or issue in the Albion community.
- Describe how their service contributes to addressing that need.
- Recognize their responsibilities as a community member and service provider.
SLO #3- Respect for Others
Students will demonstrate openness to different backgrounds and points of view.
- Engage respectfully and thoughtfully with people from a variety of backgrounds.
- Reflect on how differing perspectives have shaped their thinking.
- Demonstrate growth in cultural awareness or inclusive behavior.
SLO #4- Connecting Experiences
Students will make connections between their service, academics, and personal growth.
- Explain how their service experience connects to academic content or classroom discussions.
- Reflect on how their personal identity or background influences their engagement.
- Apply knowledge or skills from one setting (e.g., service or coursework) to another.
SLO #5- Professional Communication
Students will demonstrate professional communication in writing and speaking.
- Respond to emails and messages clearly, promptly, and respectfully.
- Communicate appropriately with team members, supervisors, and community partners.
- Participate in meetings and workspaces using professional tone and behavior.
SLO #6- Responsibility
Students will take responsibility for their tasks and manage their time, workload, and well-being.
- Complete tasks and meet deadlines with minimal reminders.
- Balance service, academic, and personal responsibilities.
- Set personal goals and take independent action to achieve them.