Written by Molly Freeburg & Jason von Meding
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On Tuesday, the University of Florida welcomed AmeriCorps leadership for a visit that affirmed the growing significance of GatorCorps as a model of university-embedded national service. Mark Lloyd, AmeriCorps chief of staff, Ken Goodson, NCCC national director, and Josie Tamayo, CEO of Volunteer Florida, joined UF administrators and GatorCorps leadership and members for a focused conversation on resilience, partnership, and public purpose.
Jason von Meding, executive director of GatorCorps, and Jeff Carney, director of the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience, presented the program’s trajectory as a Year 3 AmeriCorps initiative embedded within UF’s land-grant mission, with 16 members currently serving, and more than 30 alumni since its formation in 2023.
“We have developed a “science and service” program concept, linking research on risk, adaptation, and community wellbeing with direct engagement in towns and cities across Florida,” said von Meding.
He outlined how the program’s sites across Keystone Heights, Jacksonville and Gainesville stand to reflect an intentional model of working alongside communities confronting environmental change, housing precarity, and infrastructure inequities.
The presentation also highlighted the broader ecosystem in which GatorCorps is situated. FIBER’s work spans green infrastructure, energy efficiency, conservation, disaster planning, and community capacity building, advancing a vision of resilience that is social, institutional, and technical. The integration of research, knowledge networks, and community impact positions GatorCorps as a living expression of the university’s public duty.
UF Leadership was represented in the discussion by Chris Hass, Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, and Karen Thomas, Assistant Vice President, Community Relations. Thomas commended GatorCorps, saying that the “program delivers meaningful, measurable impact for both our students and the communities they serve. We’re fortunate to have such a high-caliber program at UF, creating benefits that extend far beyond campus.”
Yet, the most compelling moments of the visit were delivered by members of GatorCorps, who spoke candidly about their ongoing work in the organization. Amaya Borroto and Isabelle Findell, students at the University of Florida and members of the FIBER service site, described their hands-on efforts to strengthen community resilience.
These efforts included educating K–12 students about hazards and preparedness, restoring public access to environmental sites, supporting adaptation planning, and contributing to international research collaborations. Borroto and Findell’s insightful stories underscored that resilience is not an abstract concept, but a practice grounded in relationships, listening, and sustained presence.
“We have such a diverse membership and engage in a variety of projects. This variety and diversity has allowed me to grow as an individual, explore my interests, and make a real impact in communities,” Findell shared.
The conversation then shifted to how service is shaping member’s life trajectories. Members Victoria Johns and Alberta Ntoutoume-Wilson shared perspectives from GatorCorps sites in Keystone Heights and Jacksonville, showcasing the diverse service experiences possible across the 4 sites, and demonstrating the intergenerational reach of GatorCorps programming.
For AmeriCorps and Volunteer Florida leadership, the visit provided an opportunity to witness how a research-intensive university can embed national service within its institutional fabric.
AmeriCorps NCCC National Director Ken Goodson praised UF for Tuesday’s visit, sharing that, “it was wonderful to meet AmeriCorps members serving in the GatorCorps program and learn of their many accomplishments.”
“It was inspiring to hear how GatorCorps leadership is working to grow and strengthen the program, engaging even more members in serving Florida communities.”
CEO of Volunteer Florida, Josie Tamayo, reflected on the event and shared praise for the GatorCorps members, saying that“their leadership and passion for service truly embody the AmeriCorps spirit.”
“Through meaningful engagement and capacity-building efforts, these AmeriCorps members are strengthening communities and working alongside community partners to ensure Floridians better understand risk, prepare effectively, and respond with confidence.”
For UF, this visit served as a meaningful affirmation of its commitment to a public-service mission, recognized through the community-centered vision of GatorCorps.