Barbara Kapustin joined Nebraska Extension on January 7 as our Youth Development AmeriCorps VISTA member. During her service term, she is providing leadership to the Ready in the Middle program and the Nebraska MyPI program for middle-school youth and high-school youth, respectively. Barbara will design and implement delivery plans to improve the reach and sustainability of these programs across the state. Barbara’s Extension project mentors are Ashley Mueller and Soni Cochran.
Barbara is from West Nyack, New York. She is a 2019 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she majored in Cognitive Science and minored in Philosophy. Barbara has a variety of work experiences that include academic research, the private sector, and agriculture.
In her free time, Barbara likes to rollerblade, read, spend time outdoors, and watch movies. She also enjoys painting and making art when possible. With regard to her career aspirations, Barbara wants to help other people while also better understanding the world around her. She would like to continue her education in either sustainable systems or agroecology.
Learn about Barbara in her own words:
What drew you to national service and AmeriCorps VISTA?
“I have wanted to have a meaningful drive behind the work that I do since graduating college. AmeriCorps VISTA allows me to contribute as a professional in meaningful ways and serve communities that are in need.”
What are you looking forward to as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with Nebraska Extension?
“I'm looking forward to working with a diverse and knowledgeable group of people while contributing to an important goal.”
Barbara’s email address is: bkapustin2@unl.edu Reach out to welcome her and say hi!
More information about Nebraska Extension’s partnership with AmeriCorps to tackle poverty can be found here: https://disaster.unl.edu/americorps-vista-program