Raised right outside Chicago, Illinois, Micah Furtick graduated from Anderson University in 2023, where he majored in communications with a concentration in digital media. As an undergraduate, he served as the publicity coordinator for the campus chapter of the International Justice Mission and a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Currently, he is pursuing his M.A. in Digital Content at Liberty University Online. After serving with Impact America, Micah plans to pursue a full-time position in video production. 

What do you like to do for fun? 

As an avid outdoorsman, I love spending my free time hiking, backpacking, or camping. Over the past two years, I have hiked dozens of trails between Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina, and completed over 20 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Name and describe a memorable place you’ve been.

The most memorable place I have been was Pilot Mountain in Pisgah National Forest during a backpacking trip in the fall. The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking and I look forward to returning there someday.

Who is someone you admire and why? 

One of the greatest people in world history to me is Martin Luther. His unyielding devotion to personal conviction and ethics in the Diet of Worms in 1521 in his dangerous stand against the Catholic Church is something I aspire for in my daily life. To stand for one’s personal convictions and beliefs when the consequence is death is one of the most admirable qualities in a person.

Ty Jackson, born in Birmingham, AL and raised in Demopolis, AL since the age of five, graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arizona Global where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and two graduate degrees, a Master of Business Administration, specializing in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management, specializing in Human Resource Management. During her undergraduate studies, Ty served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and State National member. Before beginning her work with Impact America, Ty worked for YWCA Central Alabama for several years, held many positions and was part of the award-winning AmeriCorps team, where she developed her program management, leadership, community development, program development and implementation, public relations, relationship building, recruiting and retention abilities.What is your biggest strength?
I maintain a positive outlook in the face of adversity.What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy taking trips with my closest mommy friends and indoor and outdoor activities with my family.What is your favorite quote from a book, film?
“Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” Maya Angelou

Cammie Wolfe is from Conway, SC, and in 2020 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Coastal Carolina University. Receiving a Political Science major with minors in Women’s and Gender Studies and Philosophy. While in college she was heavily involved in organizations including Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and the Residence Hall Association. Both organizations provided leadership opportunities including attending NACURH conferences and holding officer positions within both organizations. After serving with Impact America, Cammie plans to continue working in the nonprofit field.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment has been being a first-generation college student and navigating through higher education to be able to graduate a year early. In addition to that are the ways I was able to get involved during college which has led to me serving with Impact America.

What do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy spending a few hours going hiking on the weekend, South Carolina has a state park pass that you can purchase and go to any of the many parks within the state. They even have a little book you can get a stamp from each park at and receive a prize when you complete it.

What was your most meaningful service experience or extracurricular activity in college and why?

Volunteering at a March of Dimes Signature Chefs Fundraising Gala was something I was able to participate in through Tri Sigma. While there we helped to raise money for March of Dimes through assisting with the live auction. It was overall a very touching event because they had an Ambassador Family present who spoke about the help they received from the March of Dimes. Through hearing the family speak it made the fundraising I’ve done for March of Dimes so much more visible and meaningful.

AmeriCorps Member, FocusFirst National Team Lead
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2020, Laurel Holmes graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama, where she majored in Public Health. Following this, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she earned her Master of Public Health degree from the George Washington University in 2022. No matter where she has lived, Laurel has been actively engaged in her community, volunteering with Al’s Pals Mentorship Program and the Urban Health Program. After serving with Impact America, she hopes to continue to work as a public health practitioner focusing on rural and community health promotion programs.

Questions:

What was your most meaningful service experience or extracurricular activity in college and why?
One summer as an undergraduate, I participated in a service-learning opportunity during which I traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica and served as a volunteer in community health clinics providing no-cost services to local residents. Here, my passion for community health promotion and health education were ignited.

Who is someone you admire and why?
I admire one of my undergraduate professors, Dr. David A. Birch. As a sophomore new to the Public Health major, it was in his Principles and Foundation of Health Promotion that I found inspiration from the past-president of the American Association for Health Education and my calling to make an impact for the health of Alabama communities. With Dr. Birch’s guidance and encouragement, I chose to pursue a Master of Public Health to further my abilities to make a difference as a public health practitioner.

What do you like to do for fun?
In my freetime, I like to expand my baking skills by practicing new recipes and enjoy quiet time on my back porch with a good book. Recently, I made ladyfingers and tiramisu from scratch to celebrate my fiance’s birthday!

Claire Kendall, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham Southern college. As a Visual Art major she studies Painting and Graphic Design. At BSC Claire is a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and does philanthropy work for First Light Women’s Shelter.

Name and describe a memorable place you’ve been.

The most memorable place I have visited is the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I remember standing in front of Vincent van Gogh’s painting, the Starry Night, and instantly having my breath taken. Getting to see some of the world’s most famous and influential art was an experience I will never forget.

What do you like to do for fun?

My favorite thing to do in my free time is to travel. Whether it be an hour long road trip or a week long vacay I love to be inspired by new places and adventures. When I am not traveling I am usually painting, hanging with my cat, Pickles, or spending time with friends.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is “Bloom where you are Planted”. I am a firm believer in taking advantage of whatever opportunity is given and being grateful for the present situation!

Mackenzie Fazenbaker is from Franklin, Tennessee. She graduated magna cum laude from Samford University in 2019 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. Her major was accounting with a concentration in nonprofit management and a minor in Latin American Studies. Mackenzie graduated with a Masters in Accountancy in 2020 and obtained her Certified Public Accountant certification in the same year. She now lives in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua where she works in the administrative area of a nonprofit, bilingual school and works remotely with Impact America.

Brendan Mitrisin hails from Flower Mound, Texas. At the University of Alabama, he was a member of the STEM Path to the MBA program. With that program, he spent two summers abroad in India. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2019 and master’s in business administration in 2020. After Impact America, Brendan hopes to work on consulting and supporting small businesses.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to read, take care of my fish, play video games, and play guitar.

What is your favorite quote from a book, film, or song?

“‘It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living,’ Augustus said. ‘I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live.'” -Larry McMurtry, Lonesome Dove

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I can play Devil Went Down to Georgia on the violin.