Proactive Environmental Studies Student Brings Passion to AmeriCorps

Nytia Jenkins, a student in the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Decision-Making program in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recently served as an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Summer Associate assigned to the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC).

At MCSC, Nytia worked for eight weeks on resilience summer projects that support community empowerment and education in Michigan. AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program that addresses poverty in the United States. She worked with the Climate Corps team, performing research and advocacy for underserved youth. 

Nytia is starting her second year in the graduate program at St. John’s and is set to graduate in 2023. Her interest in environmental justice and sustainability developed as an undergraduate Health Promotion and Science major at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up and attending college in New York City, Nytia saw firsthand the impact and effects of climate change and the need for sustainability in her community. 

“Someone has to be proactive and fight for these issues,” she said. “I didn’t see anyone else fighting for it, so I decided it was time to start. We have to fight for the urban communities.”

Nytia felt the Summer Associates program was a good fit as it allowed her to pursue her passion for environmental and social justice. During her eight-week tenure, she worked on environmental education and environmental justice issues. Her daily responsibilities included performing outreach to nonprofit organizations, writing grant proposals, and promoting clean energy education. The experience helped Nytia better understand the inner workings of nonprofit organizations and solidified her love for environmental studies.

“It was interesting to see why nonprofit organizations do what they do and how initiatives get off the ground,” she said.

Along with these responsibilities, Nytia also served on the Michigan STEM Network, where she identified partnerships and resources for students of color and low-income students. This initiative provides high school students access to enroll in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and Advanced Placement courses.

Nytia felt well-prepared for this role due to her graduate program’s curriculum and faculty. “The curriculum feels relevant, and I find it applicable to what I do now,” she said. “I am confident that I will be able to apply what I learn to my future opportunities.”  

Having completed her service as a Summer Associate, Nytia has returned to the Queens, NY, campus to serve as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant for Laura Schramm, Ph.D., Director of the Environmental Studies programs, and Professor, Department of Biological Sciences. 

“Nytia's success combines her dedication to her community, environmental justice, the Vincentian mission, and the master's in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making curriculum. Nytia's first internship at Sprout by Design was a natural springboard to AmeriCorps. We are grateful Nytia selected St. John’s to help facilitate her academic and career goals!