Victoria is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she received her degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Law. She later attended Troy University where she supplemented her undergraduate degree with a Master of Public Administration.
She enjoys spending time focusing on seeking opportunities to better serve the public whether it be through her hobbies which include blogging and photography or here as a part of our staff at Impact America.
Alisa graduated from Troy University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Before working with Impact America, Alisa devoted her time as a mother and volunteer for other 1099 Non-profit organizations for Veterans and their families who suffer from mental health issues.
During her spare time, Alisa enjoys spending time with her children, being creative, and exploring new things.
Connor is a Huntsville native who graduated from Auburn University in 2023 with a B. A. in Psychology and a minor in Creative Writing. While at Auburn he played trumpet in the Auburn University Marching Band for four years, and in the Basketball Pep Band for two. He was also inducted into the Psi Chi Honor Society and was a brother in Kappa Kappa Psi. He began working with AmeriCorps at the beginning of 2024.
In his free time, Connor enjoys building and painting models, playing video and tabletop games, and reading.
Stephen Shol, originally raised in Olive Branch, Mississippi graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and History minor in 2021; he then graduated with a Master of Arts in Communication Studies in 2023. Stephen served as a graduate assistant for both the Intercultural Diversity Center and Office of Financial Aid, participated in the Bama Indigenous Student Organization Network, and studied abroad in Spain. After serving with Impact America, he hopes to complete a doctorate degree. His research interests center Indigenous identities and issue areas through critical qualitative methodologies. His favorite quote is by Joy Harjo: “I know I walk in and out of several worlds each day.”
What is your proudest accomplishment?
During the last semester of my master’s program, I was awarded the Marsha Houston Award for Graduate Student Work in Diversity and Social Justice during the Lambda Pi Eta Honors Ceremony. My academic advisor, Dr. Robin Boylorn, recommended me for and then presented me with the award.
Name and describe a memorable place you’ve been.
My grandparents live in Punta Gorda, Belize. While the town isn’t as popular as other tourist destinations, I haven’t been to another place where the ocean and jungle mingle with the bustling activity of markets in the city like in PG. Behind my grandparent’s home is an untamed brush that my grandfather would walk us through and impart lifelong lessons.
Born in Jacksonville, Alabama, Ragan Stokesberry graduated cum laude from the University of
Alabama at Birmingham in 2022, where she majored in English with a concentration in literature
and completed a minor in Art History. After serving with Impact America, she hopes to pursue a
master’s degree in library science.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to read, hike, visit museums, and I’m currently improving my cooking skills.
What was your most meaningful service experience or extracurricular activity in college and
why?
For two years in college I participated in film club at UAB. It broadened my horizons and allowed
me to have interesting conversations with people who shared similar interests.
Name and describe a memorable place you’ve been.
In 2022, I visited Lyon, France. The highlights were its unique cuisine, (the best food I have ever
had), and the Roman amphitheater from 15AD along with a museum with many Roman
artifacts.
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, in 2019 Gabby Klok graduated magna cum laude from Clemson University, where she majored in Philosophy with a Law, Liberty, & Justice Emphasis and minored in Political Science. As an undergraduate, Gabby served as Sisterhood Chair for the Sigma Kappa Kappa Pi Chapter, was on the Ethics Bowl team, was National Expansion Intern for CHAARG and served as VP Membership of Clemson CHAARG, a women’s health and fitness organization with chapters at 100+ college campuses. Gabby was also heavily involved working at the Campus Recreation Department as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer during her time at Clemson and studied abroad in Bangkok, Thailand. After serving with Impact America, she plans to attend Law School in August of 2024.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to travel and learn about new places. I’ve been to 17 countries so far & cannot wait to continue to explore the world- I’m making it a goal to see one new country each year! Every time I go somewhere new, I make sure to take a walking tour, check out the museums, take lots of pictures, explore the nature surrounding the area and discover a local coffee shop. I also love being outside and doing anything active like hiking, running, snorkeling and scuba diving! I’m an avid lover of fitness and passionate about weightlifting as well.
What was your most meaningful service experience or extracurricular activity in college and why?
My most meaningful extracurricular activity in college was being involved with the organization CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls) on both the national and chapter level. As VP Membership of Clemson CHAARG for two years, I delegated tasks among a 7-person team responsible for a nationally recognized women’s wellness group where I led 150+ Chapter members, empowering them to try new workouts & live a positive lifestyle in college.
I was able to see first hand how CHAARG positively impacted the girls that I recruited as they continued to grow and challenge themselves both mentally and physically throughout their college career. I loved to see how fitness and the CHAARG community empowered all aspects of these young womens’ lives. This was especially true when I served on EXEC during COVID, as CHAARG was the only fully functioning student organization on Clemson’s Campus at the time and provided a social setting for many students to interact with one another.
Name and describe a memorable place you’ve been.
In Spring of my Junior Year at Clemson, I studied abroad in Thailand at Mahidol University for 4 months from December 2021- April 2022. This was my first experience living in another country, let alone traveling to Asia. During my time at Mahidol, I was able to experience Southeast Asian culture and try local foods like Pad See Ew, Chicken Satay, Tom Yum Soup and Khao Soi. I loved the fresh fruit that I could get on any given corner, the Som Tum Thai (papaya salad) and the outdoor markets. I loved how you couldn’t go 100 feet without running into another 7/11, the endless supply of kitties to pet, the beautiful places I was able to go, Khao Soi noodles, the extravagant malls of Bangkok, and Mahidol’s beautiful campus.
Through my Mahidol University and traveling on weekends, I made friends with and met people from all over the world. Through them, I’ve learned so much about how different cultures view the world and live their lives. Thailand will always hold a special place in my heart, as it sparked my love for traveling and made me realize how important travel is to me and my life in the future.
Rachel Ellis, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, is a Magna Cum Laude Latin honors graduate from the University of North Alabama, with a BS in Sociology, minoring in Family Studies. With a creative and explorative spirit, Rachel loves anything artistic and “outdoorsy” including: hiking, fishing, painting, poetry, etc. After serving Impact America, Rachel hopes to continue making commitments to serving her community as her dominant career goal. She is currently pursuing her MS in Family and Community Services with hopes of securing a license in family coaching/therapy.
A native of Peachtree City, Georgia, Izabella Dente attended college at Georgia Southern University where she recently graduated in May of 2023 as a biology major with a Pre-Med emphasis. As an undergraduate, Izabella spent multiple years working in the healthcare field as both a phlebotomist and a medical assistant. After serving with Impact America, she hopes to attend Medical School and go on to become a physician.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment was finishing my bachelor’s degree a year early. This allowed me to dedicate this year to serving with Impact America. Finishing my degree in three years instead of four was a huge challenge but has now led to this opportunity!
What was your most meaningful service experience or extracurricular activity in college and why?
Being a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority was very meaningful to me throughout college as it held many opportunities. Through the various service projects, we participated in, I was able to gain a greater understanding of the importance of giving back to the community. Additionally, my involvement in the sorority enabled me to build meaningful relationships with other members and mentors. It allowed me to make lifelong friendships while also growing as a person!
Who is someone you admire and why?
Someone I admire very much would be my mother. From a young age she has always taught me the importance of working hard, without her influence I am not sure I would be as ambitious as I am today. I am very grateful to have someone be my best friend, while also being a role model. I hope to be capable of having the same characteristics that she does in terms of strength and dedication to our family!
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Nakemia graduated from Millsaps College in 2020 with a
major in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. Nakemia served a previous stint with Americorps
under the Alpine Achievers Initiative program from 2021-2022, serving in the San Luis Valley assisting
teachers with class and literature programming, and offering after school activities for students. After
serving with Impact, Nakemia plans to pursue a teaching license and a career as an Academic
Interventionist.
What do you like to do for fun?
Learning and playing various instruments, reading, drawing, and trail running. Two bucket list
goals of mine are to visit the largest waterfall in every state, and glide the “Morning Glory” in
Australia.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I could play up to 7 different instruments at one point, and also created my own music.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Calera Alabama; in 2016 Kiana Jackson graduated from Calera High School. Soon after graduating High school, she went ahead an enrolled in Lawson State Comunity College as a freshman, where she majored in Biomedical Science/ Pre-Medicine. She finished out with an Associate in Science degree in 2018. Furthermore, she also enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health in 2018 as well. Also, graduated with Bachelor’s of Science degree from UAB school of Public Health with, a Conc. of Global Health studies in 2022. On the other hand, while she was a undergraduate student she worked as a full-time student and worked as a full-time Ceritified Nursing Assistant in different healthcare facilities. However, she was able to volunteer and engage in some school activities, such as, Phi-Kappa-Alpha academic honor society, the student government association, and the off-campus student organization in her spare time. Finally, while serving with ImpactAmericorps she plans on pursuing her Masters degree in Public Policy and Public Administration; after serving with ImpactAmericorps she wants to be apart of an organization that seeks out to help those in need and that values the lives of others by implementing change.