This year, we’re celebrating AmeriCorps Week from March 9 - 15, to recognize and thank the AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who raise their hands to help when needed. From a pioneering group of 20,000 Americans who first raised their hands to serve, AmeriCorps has grown into a nationwide force for positive change, making a difference in lives.
Join WT AmeriCorps as we celebrate and offer thanks to members, volunteers, and alumni who have committed billions of hours of results-driven service, creating lasting impact in communities nationwide. Check out our posts on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Kim Seward, a WT AmeriCorps member who joined the program in 2023, is a retired WT math professor. Wanting to find something part-time to get her out of the house, keep her mind active, and help her community, she decided to apply to the program.
Now, through WT AmeriCorps, Kim serves in a Mentor & Support role with WT’s Tutoring Services. WT’s Tutoring Services is a free, appointment-based, one-on-one and pair/group tutoring program for students. Core-curriculum subjects in the math and science areas are covered but are not limited to these subjects.
“I really enjoy supporting students in math and strongly believe in getting the word out for Tutoring Services,” Kim said. “I call myself an ‘Academic Resource Coach’ sometimes. I connect students with places like the Writing Center and the Math Lab and I like making those connections.”
Another part of Kim’s role is helping with outreach for WT’s Tutoring Services. She’s connected with specific student groups such as WT’s student veterans, F1RST GEN, and Buff CARES.
“I like being able to zoom into those specific groups where they’re very serious about completing their studies, but may have something working against them,” Kim said. “Some students don’t know about Tutoring Services or may need encouragement to ask for help. I tell them, ‘You’re smart coming in,’ cause if they don’t come in right at the beginning, then it just snowballs.”
Kim moved to the area to go to WT “way back many years ago” when she was 19 years old and never left. She says what’s she’s doing now is like a scaled-down version of what she used to do as a professor at the university.
“AmeriCorps the right mix of still being able to get out there and do stuff, but not on that intense full-time grind,” Kim said. “I feel like these services are hugely in my wheelhouse. I just like helping students. It almost feels effortless in a sense.”
If you’re interested in a summer or even a year of service, you can visit WT AmeriCorps’ website to learn more about the program. To support AmeriCorps members throughout the duration of their service, members are given a modest monthly living allowance and skills-based professional development and training. After successfully completing their service, AmeriCorps members are eligible for an education award which can be used to further their education as well as pay back federal student loans. The education award can be transferred to qualified children or grandchildren if the member is aged 55 or older at the time of enrollment.