Pathways to Employment AmeriCorps VISTA Program
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Ann Roboski - One Year Later

3/15/2021

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A year ago from today, I was working in my office at the schools I was serving. Getting closer than 6 feet to other people and the idea of wearing a face mask rarely crossed my mind.  A lot has changed since then. Now I am working from home for most of the week, I am careful to practice social distancing, and I regularly online shop for stylish face masks. As we approach March 13th, the day Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered all K-12 Michigan schools to close, I find myself reflecting on the past year.

​The past 12 months were filled with many surprises and challenges. Despite the hardships, I’ve learned how resilient people are.  I have seen communities come together throughout the challenging year, families and friends finding new and creative ways to connect, and coworkers learning new technology to get their work done. 

Personally, I have learned the importance of being grateful for all of the things and people I have in my life, slowing down, and being more present.

This is my second year as an AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan in the Pathways to Employment Program. I am serving at the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Adviser. CapCAN’s mission is: “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area….. to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”

Over the past few months, I have been busy planning and scheduling virtual visits with colleges, assisting students with their college and Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) applications, hosting virtual office hours, and answering other college and career-related questions. 

Soon I will begin to plan for Decision Day at the Wilson Talent Center! National Decision Day is May 1st and it’s the deadline for seniors to pick their college. The Wilson Talent Center has a tradition of celebrating Decision Day by having the students parade around the building with signs of what they’ll be doing after graduation. Due to COVID restrictions, this tradition will have to be modified in order to follow safe practices. 

I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by and I am incredibly grateful for the memories, the lessons I learned,  and the strong support system that this year has brought me. 
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Ann Roboski - Adapting at the Wilson Talent Center

9/14/2020

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Hello! My name is Ann Roboski and I am a second-year AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan in the Pathways to Employment Program. I am serving at the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Adviser. CapCAN’s mission is “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area… to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”

Last year, I split my time between Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center, while this year I will be spending all of my time at the Wilson Talent Center! The Wilson Talent Center offers career and technical education courses for high school juniors and seniors in the Ingham Intermediate School District area.

The Wilson Talent Center is operating online and in-person to protect individuals and communities and to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It’s been about two weeks since I’ve begun serving in-person at the Wilson Talent Center. I have really enjoyed being back in the building and seeing people again. I am no longer greeted with smiles as I walk down the halls but, crinkling eyes above masks are always a welcomed sight!

Although this is my second year as a College and Career Adviser, the position looks quite a bit different. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had to change my outreach initiatives with students and the Wilson Talent Center community. I now heavily utilize Google Voice, Google Hangouts, Zoom, social media, and email to provide resources and to connect with students.
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Over the past few weeks, I have been spending my time planning virtual events for the school year, building connections at the career center, assisting students with college applications, and answering other college and career-related questions. I am excited to take on another year at the Wilson Talent Center with a new perspective and a sense of confidence!
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Ann Roboski at the Wilson Talent Center
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Ann Roboski- COVID-19 and College Access

4/27/2020

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Hello! My name is Ann Roboski and I am a first-year AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network(CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan in the Pathways to Employment Program. I am serving at Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Advisor. CapCAN’s mission is: “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area….. to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”

These past months I have been working to ensure all students have filed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) and Tuition Incentive Program(TIP) applications at both schools. Recently, I conducted outreach initiatives with parents to ensure they are aware of financial aid deadlines and procedures. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I have had to change my outreach techniques and add various communication platforms to accommodate my students. In order to provide the necessary resources, I have begun utilizing google voice, google hangouts, zoom, and email to reach students and parents. My transition to virtual advising made me realize how technologically challenged I was and had to learn fast!


I have also spent quite a bit of my time organizing visits to colleges. This past year I was able to take students to the University of Michigan, Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University, and Jackson College. I also had a trip planned to my alma mater- Aquinas College!  However, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the trip was canceled. I had been excited to show my students around the school that taught me so many lessons and will always have a special place in my heart. In an effort to provide the opportunity to tour Aquinas College and other colleges, I have spent time researching virtual tours and emailing them to my students.

It’s unbelievable how fast this year of service has gone by and even harder to believe the way the school year abruptly ended. I am incredibly grateful for the memories, the lessons I learned,  and the strong support system that this year has brought me. 

Although my service looks a little different from the beginning of the year, I am excited to continue my work at CapCAN and assist students with their post-secondary plans!
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Ann Roboski - Starting the School Year

10/1/2019

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 Hello! My name is Ann Roboski and I am a first-year AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan. I am serving at Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Advisor. CapCAN’s mission is, “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area….. to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”
 
This past month has kept me quite busy with building connections at my sites, informing students of how I can assist with college applications, filing for FAFSA, scholarships, and frequently telling people, “I am not a high school student.”
 
I am currently planning and coordinating college visits and college fairs for Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center. I am also beginning to plan for the month of October which is College Application Month! I am quite excited about the upcoming events and to see the turnout!
 
Although I grew up in the Lansing area, I hadn’t frequented either of the sites that I now serve at much. Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center are in more rural areas and it’s been quite interesting to drive by farms and fields to get to my sites every day. Although the sites themselves are in similar locations, they are much different from each other. The Wilson Talent Center offers career and technical education courses for high school juniors and seniors in the Ingham Intermediate School District area. Additionally, the Wilson Talent Center has around 440 seniors. In contrast, Dansville High School is a traditional high school and has around 60 seniors. 
 
In the first few weeks at my sites, I was quite nervous, but as time went on and I became more familiar with the schools, staff, students, and my various tasks, I began to gain confidence and a sense of determination with my assignments. I am really enjoying getting to know the staff and students at Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center. There is a great sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere at both sites!
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    Each blog post was written by one of our VISTAs!

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    Damona Platt
    Danielle Congleton
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    David Christensen
    Delesiya Davis
    DeVante McCullom
    Diane Jarvi
    Dimitar Jakimovski
    Dylan Davids
    Ebone' Worthey
    Elizabeth Flanagan
    Emily Swearinger
    Emma Gregory
    Erik Krieger
    Ethan Daley
    Ethan Duffield
    Gabriela Sullen
    Hakeem Weatherspoon
    Hope Dokho
    Jackie Hubbard
    Jack Wong
    Jacob Pollock
    Jake Jermac
    Jarrell Brackett
    Javier Jimenez
    Jaylen Harris
    Jeanette Devito
    Jennifer Burger
    Jennifer Musser
    Jernard Collins
    Jessica Ayoub
    Jessica Foster
    Jim Southard
    Jordan Crandell
    Jordan Meeth
    Jordyn Appel
    June LaVernway
    June Urdy
    Junia Scartezini
    Kaitlyn-dougherty
    Karly-koggenhop
    Kat DeRemer
    Katelyn Kovalik
    Kay Davis
    Kelly Williams
    Kevin Cunningham
    Kim Ellerthorpe
    Kurtis Edwards
    Kye Bright
    Kyra Smith
    La'Shawnda Mansfield
    LaToya Dirrell
    Lauren Raycraft
    Lauren Zlotecki
    Lee Xiong
    Leslie Warren
    Lindsay Regalado
    Loreal Burnett
    Maddie Poindexter
    Madeline Kahl
    Makayla Whitney
    Malina Clements
    Mara Hazen
    Marcella Fox
    Marc Tyler
    Marisa Tear
    Marissa Relitz
    Marlee Schilbe
    Mary Bryson
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    Matt Sehrsweeney
    Maya Faison
    Megan Lendman
    Megan Rochlitz
    Meghan Thorndike
    Meg McElhone
    Melissa Gonzalez
    Meridith Murley
    Mia Mahanery
    Mia Mahaney
    Missy Wright
    Mitchell Emery
    Mitch Port
    Molly Swisher
    Morgan Benham
    Naomi Coleman
    Natalie Boag
    Neil Anderson
    Nicole Justian
    Pam Ill
    Pat Brewer
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    Spenser Warren
    Stacey Johnson
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    Suzanne Melin
    Tessa Wiles
    Treandra Thomas
    Treya Swords
    Trish Sanders
    Tyler Augst
    Walker Kelly
    Zekiye Salman

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  • About
    • AmeriCorps VISTA
    • Contact
    • FAQs
  • Blogs
    • Blogs
    • Blog Schedule
  • VISTA Resources
    • Program Calendar
    • Important Documents
    • VISTA Toolkits
    • Program Webinars
  • Supervisor Resources
    • 2018 Supervisors' Orientation
    • 2018 Recruitment Webinar
    • 2019 Supervisors' Orientation
    • 2020 Supervisor Orientation
  • Human-Centered Design
  • Photo Gallery