Hi my name is Shayla Richberg and I am your new AmeriCorps*VISTA. I am from Greensboro, North Carolina. I am a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I majored in Management and Society; and Sociology. I wanted to serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA, because I truly do believe that the younger generation can make a difference and wanted to be in a capacity where my ideals would be fostered. I in particular was very much interested in the University of Saint Mary, because I admired the enthusiasm of Kansas Campus Compact (KCC) and how involved and committed USM is in advancing KCC's mission.

Currently USM has a very dedicated Advisory Board (Sherri Artale, Dr. Lisa Beckenbaugh, Dr. Brian Hughes, Sister Sharron Smith, and Shayla Richberg) that is committed to keeping the momentum alive for Service Learning. The board plans to do this by, assisting in the process of increasing the number of Service Learning courses offered at USM. The board also plans to help USM become apart of the fabric and culture of the community of Leavenworth, KS; starting with further exposing issues of poverty and how it affects our town and surrounding neighbors of Kansas City. And last but not least the committee will strive to help students realize the political/social power they possess when their efforts are collectively combined. The board looks forward to working with each and every one of you; to as a team make Learning more than just an assignment or past-time, instead a tool that can help students broaden their perspectives and enhance their critical thinking skills. Please continue to be frequent visitors of the Service Learning website where more news and opportunities are to come!