Southern Arkansas University+VISTA places 26 full-time fellows in various project areas that has helped them gain professional experience and leadership skills through activities such as fundraising, grant-writing, research, and volunteer recruitment.
Attributes of a Successful VISTA include:
- Understand the importance of the incremental steps on the project plan while aware of the vision of the elimination of poverty.
- Match the project plan to their long-term personal goals- want something out of the experience for themselves.
- Work well with people from a variety of backgrounds.
- Strong networkers within the organization and community.
- Motivated to advocate for themselves and the community.
- Take initiative (self-starters).
SAU+VISTA Fellows serve in the following project areas:
Goal: The VISTA Leader will develop and implement personal and professional training for the VISTA fellows, engage in the recruitment process for the program, and build partnerships on campus and in the community. The VISTA Team Leader will engage with the VISTA team by supporting members in their service and partnering with the VISTA Staff to effectively and efficiently manage the project.
*Being a VISTA Team Leader requires at least one year of previous experience as a VISTA Member.
Mental Health/Healthy Futures
Goal: Increase college completion through programming targeted to student needs specifically related to the mental health challenges (stress, worry, anxiety, etc.) and barriers (lack of money for enjoyable activities, limited access to essential needs, lack of family support, etc.) present due to poverty while in college. The Mental Health Fellow will research and develop a resource guide and self-help library regarding mental health, further build and establish the mental health student organization and
responsibilities, develop strategies to sustain the Relaxation Room, and research diverse populations’ needs and strategies for them to utilize mental health resources.
Food Scarcity and other Physical Poverty-Related Conditions/Healthy Futures
Goal: Increase college completion by reducing the impacts of poverty through coordinating the matching of community resources with students in need. The Mulerider Market VISTA will secure the market with a student organization to reach full sustainability, and develop a recovery program for left over cafeteria food.
Goal: The main goal of the SAU Advancement Fellow is to ensure that
University fundraising efforts are heightened through Advancement digital content. The SAU Advancement Fellow plays a vital role in the VISTA project through aiding in the continued increase of University funds and Alumni engagement.
Goal: The Magnolia Housing Authority Fellow will develop educational programs for children ranging from K-12 and the elderly living in the Housing Authority communities.
Goal: The Financial Literacy Fellow will further grow and expand SAU’s Mulerider $ense program by developing and implementing educational opportunities, student-lead responsibilities, and program sustainability for both the university and its students.
Campus Community Engagement/Education
Goal: The Volunteer Services fellow will aid in the growth of personal student character
development by updating and creating resources for students to get involved in the community to set themselves apart in their future. Increase the likelihood of college completion by students in poverty at Southern Arkansas University by enhancing student engagement through developing a volunteer/student matching database, and web-based request for services process to be used by students willing to serve and community organizations needing assistance. Facilitate parent information that helps families in poverty better support their college students.
Goal: The SAU Athletic Fellow will assist in developing the new athletic academic advising program; ensure gameday operations, in-game statistics, camera operation, etc. are running as smoothly as possible, and secure volunteer opportunities in the community for student-athletes to participate in throughout the semesters.
Goal: The primary goal of the SAU Digital Marketing Fellow is to enhance the university’s online presence and engagement through the creation and management of high-quality digital content. This role aims to support SAU’s communication strategies by developing multimedia materials, and producing content that highlights the university’s programs, events, and achievements. By doing so, the fellow will help to increase visibility, and strengthen the connection between the university and its community.
Goal: The Housing VISTA will help develop Team Study as a learning and community opportunity,
implement an Autism Support Network to bring awareness to Autism and provide resources and a community to those diagnosed, and further build the Mulerider Succeed program to reach students’ needs on campus.
Goal: The SAU Foster Care Initiative fellow will build relationships and partnerships with foster care organizations in the surrounding counties; develop a foster care program/community on campus that equips students with life skills, job assistance, and a sense of belonging; research recruiting options for reaching these students; and build ways to get them on the right foot after they leave the home. With SAU’s slogan “Feels Like Home,” the Foster Care Initiative fellow’s goal is to help those in the foster care system find a sense of belonging and discover their purpose along the way.
Goal: The Compassion’s Foundation Fellow will help improve the quality of services to efficiently perform services to meet their mission by creating a data record format for staff to record client data for reporting, revise and update of all policies and procedures for the shelter, ensuring that they are
trauma-informed and respect clients’ needs, seek additional funding through grants and other available funds, and develop a training program for the Board of Directors.
Goal: The main goal of the SAU Community Garden Fellow position is to aid and
oversee the community garden’s operations while ensuring its sustainability. The SAU Community Garden Fellow throughout the course of their service will coordinate garden maintenance, conduct research, and foster campus and volunteer partnerships to complete the goal of student fresh food availability.
Goal: The Boys & Girls Club Fellow will develop educational programs for the children, secure volunteers so the club can run as smoothly as possible, develop a sustainable market/food bank for the club, implement a monthly newsletters to parents, and assist in the development and implementation of annual fundraisers throughout the year to help fund the organization.
Goal: The SAU MRMC Fellow will build relationships with community leaders to develop health education activities and a mental health resource program, identify additional clinic locations in surrounding areas and develop an implementation plan, and work with the finance and accounting staff to identify costs associated with surgical and other high cost procedures within the hospital.
*The MRMC position is set to open for January 2025-26 enrollment
Goal: The main goal of the Student Resource Coach Fellow is to empower and support students by addressing challenges hindering their academic and personal growth, and help to provide solutions to economic issues. The Student Resource Coach Fellow will research student needs, provide resources for students, and work collaboratively with the SAU Counseling department.
Goal: The Career Services Fellow’s main goal is to support SAU student’s career readiness in line with the Career Services Department mission. The Career Services Fellow will analyze SAU graduation
survey data and implement new goals from discovered research, successfully promote
and improve Micro-Internships for SAU students, and develop a Career Readiness
Program.
*The Career Services position is set to open for January 2025-26 enrollment
Goal: The primary goal of the SAU Financial Aid Fellow is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial aid processes at SAU. This role focuses on developing and implementing streamlined systems and procedures to improve the accessibility and delivery of financial aid services. By optimizing these processes, the fellow will help ensure that students receive timely and accurate financial assistance, thereby supporting their educational success and reducing financial barriers to higher education.
Goal: The primary goal of the Magnolia Specialized Services Fellow is to aid and contribute to the organization’s mission to better serve adults with disabilities and address poverty-related issues in the Magnolia community.
Goal: The SAU Communications Fellow will enhance digital resources, create targeted marketing materials, and promote community engagement, ultimately increasing visibility and support for SAU and SAU+VISTA initiatives.
Goal: The primary goals of the Housing Maintenance Education / Recycling-SOAR fellow is to empower and educate students with essential housing maintenance skills, promote environmental stewardship through SAU’s recycling initiative, and support the mission of sustainability in South Arkansas.
Goal: The main goals of the Magnolia Arts Center Fellow are expanding and promoting community arts programs, developing engaging arts activities for K-12 students and adults, and securing funding through grant research and writing to support long-term program sustainability.
*The Second Year Success position is set to open for January 2025-26 enrollment
*The CCAPS position is set to open for January 2025-26 enrollment
*The SAU Farmstead Initiative Research position is set to open TWO placements for January 2025-26 enrollment
*The Columbia County Library position is set to open for January 2025-26 enrollment
*The Abilities Unlimited position is set to open for January 2025-26 enrollment
AmeriCorps VISTA Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service; or
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
- Be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis and be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091);
- Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
SAU+VISTA Fellow Requirements
- Members will abide by the terms of the drug-free workplace policy and agrees to remain drug-free for the entirety of service.
- Members must have graduated from SAU with a bachelor’s degree; or be entering in their final semester/year with 6 or fewer hours left per semester*.
Compensation and Benefits
There are numerous separate one-year positions available that will follow this estimated compensation plan.
More information regarding VISTA service.
Fellows receive all SAU holidays, 10 personal days, and 10 sick days to be used during the year of service. Health coverage is provided through AmeriCorps.
| On-Campus Housing | $5,566.00 |
| Meal Plan | $4,340.00 |
| Recreation Fee | $150.00 |
| Student Activity Fee | $90.00 |
| Computer Use | $1,475.00 |
| Sports Pass | $50.00 |
| AmeriCorps VISTA (living allowance) | $22,979.04 |
| AmeriCorps VISTA (education award*) | $7,395.00 |
| Package Total | $42,045.04 |
*to pay cost of graduate school or student loans, or receive a $1,800 cash award AFTER one year of service
