Johnathan Roberts, a Triple C SRC AmeriCorps member at Ohio University Chillicothe and a participant in the LeaderCorps program, shares how the experience helped him grow as a leader while tackling campus food insecurity through a collaborative service project. Learn more about his experience, growth, and favorite moments from his time in LeaderCorps below.
“The LeaderCorps program offered a unique opportunity for me, as an AmeriCorps member, to develop essential leadership skills while making a meaningful impact on my campus through a service project. As a member of LeaderCorps, I had the opportunity to engage in various exercises designed to hone my leadership abilities and connect with other AmeriCorps members from all over Ohio. We emphasized our own personal growth through our service, collaboration, and the development of skills that empower us to take on leadership roles in future endeavors.
In my opinion, the LeaderCorps experience not only fosters leadership development but also promotes a deeper understanding of civic engagement and community. Food insecurity proved to be a topic that every campus had in common when it came to addressing the needs of the students, no matter the location, and so when it was time to plan our service project, I wanted to make this the focus.
Attempting to design a project for each campus to tackle was, at first, something of a challenge but, through connecting and bouncing ideas off of other LeaderCorps members across the state during the monthly meetings, LeaderCorps allowed us to bring the project to life.
My favorite part of the entire experience was getting the opportunity to take a tour of the State Library of Ohio with my fellow LeaderCorps members. I felt that it allowed us to bond over our passion for public service while still learning something unique and exciting about the state of Ohio and public programs.
Whether coordinating volunteers or other AmeriCorps members, managing projects, or facilitating community outreach, I feel equipped with the tools necessary to become an effective leader in service and beyond.”
— Johnathan Roberts, LeaderCorps Member, SRC AmeriCorps Member, Ohio University Chillicothe
Celebrating 2025 AmeriCorps Week
Central Ohio Technical College participated in AmeriCorps Week, distributing reusable items and sharing valuable resources to support food security on campus.
From March 9th to 15th, AmeriCorps celebrated AmeriCorps Week, a time for members to share the impact of our programs and tell our powerful stories. Through natural service, everyday acts are transformed into extraordinary change.
SRC AmeriCorps members handed out reusable grocery bags, reusable cutlery, and recipes created by the members using food items typically found in campus food pantries while raising awareness about AmeriCorps and SRC resources on campuses across the state of Ohio.
The Community Campus Coalition was awarded a mini-grant from Baldwin Wallace University’s Brain Center, which helped fund the items needed for the AmeriCorps Week project.
A service project supported by Baldwin Wallace University helps promote food security and reduce stigma around campus pantries.
AmeriCorps member Elizabeth Keller from Mount St. Joseph University shared how the event highlighted the impact of nutrition—and the lack of it—on sleep, overall health, and academic performance due to food insecurity. Many students were also interested in learning more about the connection between nutrition and sleep, as well as the resources available to help improve both.
The AmeriCorps Week event at Mount St. Joseph University highlighted the connection between nutrition, sleep, and student success while raising awareness about campus food insecurity.
Ava Keresztesy, an AmeriCorps member from Case Western Reserve University, shared that one of the international students mentioned not knowing much about local produce. Ava was able to share information about her favorite native produce and how to prepare it. She said she loved having the opportunity to educate a community member and talk about local food.
Mari Hamilton, an AmeriCorps member from the University of Cincinnati, shared that many students were unaware of their Student Resource Center, Bearcat Pantry. Students “loved the shopping bags and silverware kits—which were gone super fast!”
Triple C’s SRC AmeriCorps member John Copes IV at Ohio Northern University celebrated AmeriCorps Week by sharing reusable grocery bags, cutlery, and easy recipes to promote sustainable living and food security on campus.