USU's Public & School Partnership Under New Leadership

The Public and School Partnership at Utah State University received new leadership this fall.

The Public and School Partnership is now led by Program Director Roseline Hill. She comes to Utah State University via South Africa, where she gained more than 20 years’ experience in nonprofit work in human rights and rights for women. She replaces Mark Larese-Casanova, who left to become an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

Jessica Jeppesen started with the Public and School Partnership in June and is now its current program coordinator.

The Public and School Partnership is housed in the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. It is an AmeriCorps-funded nonprofit organization staffed by full-time Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members.

Hill and Jeppesen said the Public and School Partnership’s focus is on alleviating poverty. They work through local schools and nonprofits, building capacity and supporting local volunteers.

“The VISTA member isn’t there to replace the staff member,” Hill said. Instead, their support is designed to help programs be self-sustaining.

VISTA members recruit and train volunteers, raise funds, write grants and organize service learning projects. They are currently working in 10 partner sites in Utah.

To find out more, request a VISTA member at your school or nonprofit, or to ask for additional volunteers to help with your program, contact Jessica Jeppesen.