Become an AmeriCorps VISTA at Stetson

AmeriCorps VISTAs are offered the following benefits to support them during their term of service:

• Free on-campus housing (private bedroom in a shared, furnished apartment with other VISTAs, graduate students, or non-traditional students)
• Free graduate tuition (one course each Fall/Spring in any of the following programs: MBA, Counseling, Higher Education)
• $675 bi-weekly living allowance (paid directly to the VISTA by the federal government)
• $250 HatterBucks for on-campus meals (to use in the Commons, Hat Rack, or coffee shop)
• Federal healthcare plan (options for a free federal plan or to receive a credit toward a private plan)
• $6,895 Segal Education award at end of term (can be applied to graduate school tuition or to pay off student loans)
• $1,000 professional development budget (can be used for conferences, graduate entrance exams or applications, textbooks, or other resources needed to support the VISTA's professional development)
• Eligibility for SNAP/EBT food program (can be doubled when purchasing fresh food produced in Florida from our local farmers market, thanks to the work of a previous VISTA)

Learn more about federal benefits for AmeriCorps VISTAs.

There are several requirements for someone to be eligible for an AmeriCorps VISTA position:

• Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens and persons residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status.
• Must complete a full term of service (one year, which will run for 365 days, starting July 2023 and ending June 2024; terms can be renewed up to three times for VISTAs who wish to extend their service)
• Must be available approximately 40 hours/week (some remote/hybrid work is permitted as-needed)

Learn more about eligibility requirements for AmeriCorps VISTAs.

Stetson is excited to offer two different positions for the upcoming cycle (July 2024 to June 2025): 

College Access & Success Coordinator: Develop and implement programs that support underrepresented Stetson students. Specific responsibilities may include:

• Building relationships with, and serving as a mentor and resource for, students of color or those who may identify as underrepresented, marginalized, and/or under-resourced 
• Coordinating programming for the WISE Program and Summer Bridge Day
• Managing communications with Stetson's multicultural alumni networks, and coordinating alumni reunions and networking events
• Developing community-engaged internship, research, and capstone project opportunities that enhance career outcomes for underrepresented students
• Reporting primarily through the Office of Diversity & Inclusion

Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Coordinator: Develop and implement programs for Stetson students interested in social entrepreneurship and sustainability. Specific responsibilities may include:

• Building relationships with local organizations that support entrepreneurship, social innovation, small business development, and workforce readiness
• Inventorying opportunities and resources from national organizations focused on social entrepreneurship and innovation that can be shared with local stakeholders
• Developing a Social Entrepreneurship Fellows program for students interested in social entrepreneurship, social innovation, or corporate social responsibility
• Supporting the development of a non-profit and business incubator at the Wright Building 
• Developing community-engaged internship, research, and capstone project opportunities that satisfy the Stetson School of Business's Experiential Learning Requirement
• Reporting primarily through the Center for Community Engagement

Apply for any of these positions by emailing Kevin Winchell at [email protected]. You must include your resume and a brief statement explaining the following:

• Which position(s) to which you are applying (you may apply to as many positions as you'd like)
• Why you are interested in the positions to which you are applying

Applications will be reviewed starting May 1, and will remain open until filled. We expect to schedule interviews during the first two weeks of May, and make final decisions shortly thereafter. 

If you have additional questions about the federal AmeriCorps VISTA program, you can learn more at the AmeriCorps Website.

If you have additional questions about Stetson's AmeriCorps VISTA opportunities, you can email Kevin Winchell at [email protected].