by Niki Acton '16

As a first-generation college student, Mark Muniz '15 didn't know what to expect when he first arrived at Knox. He had little familiarity with higher education and relied heavily on campus resources and staff. In his new role as AmeriCorps VISTA member assigned to Knox College, Muniz is relying on this personal experience as the needs of first-generation students are one of his top responsibilities.

Now in its 50th year, VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) was founded as a national service program to fight poverty. Members are given a living stipend and, at the end of their terms, an opportunity for some student-loan forgiveness.

"I decided to become an AmeriCorps member as a way to pay the debts, literal and figurative, that I feel I owe the country as a citizen," said Muniz.

For the next year, Muniz will serve full time in Galesburg, working on projects that include supporting the First-Generation Student Club at Knox College, which was started by his predecessor Kelsey Witzling '14 and is in its first full year as a student club.

"I would like to ensure that it would be in a position to soon operate without a VISTA member's support," said Muniz. "It is my goal to get this new club connected to campus and community organizations that would let our first-generation students share their experiences and wisdom with local students and push more young people toward college."

He is also working to increase opportunities for student volunteerism in the Galesburg community. Muniz hopes to see Knox again become a finalist for the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by building relationships with new community partners and working with the Mark & Jeannette Kleine Center for Community Service.

Already, Muniz has begun serving the Knox community by organizing a food share and weekly grocery store carpools for students remaining in Galesburg over the summer.

While a student at Knox, Muniz majored in international relations and minored in history. He studied abroad in Amman, Jordan, where he completed an independent study project.

"It was my first time researching 'in the field' independently," said Muniz, "and really reinforced for me that I could realize my own personal goals, pursue what I liked, and work with people on a person-to-person basis."

Muniz ultimately hopes to work with the U.S. State Department or another organization that will allow him to travel and continue his work to increase understanding between people and communities.