On June 9th, 2025, NC Campus Engagement hosted JunePalooza 2025 at Elon University’s Belk Pavilion, welcoming AmeriCorps VISTA members from across North Carolina for a full day of connection, learning, and reflection. Designed as a mid-year retreat for members serving through the NCCE VISTA programs, JunePalooza provided space for participants to step back from their day-to-day work, build new relationships, and explore topics that support both professional development and personal growth.
This year’s event centered around the theme of resilience. In her welcome remarks, VISTA Leader Alice Chesley-Akhtar acknowledged the challenges that many VISTAs have faced, including uncertainty caused by federal funding cuts and structural changes to AmeriCorps programming. She reminded the group that while the work of service is often invisible to the outside world, it is also deeply impactful and worthy of celebration.
“The work you do is challenging. It’s emotional. It’s necessary. And yet, every single one of you continues to show up – for your communities, for your service sites, and for each other,” she shared. “That is a powerful example of resilience.”
More than 25 VISTAs attended the event, representing a wide range of institutions and host sites. Members traveled from High Point University, NC State University, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Warren Wilson College, UNC Pembroke, and Elon University. They serve at organizations focused on food security, education equity, and civic engagement, including Wake County Cooperative Extension, PORCH, World Relief Triad, and the Greater High Point Food Alliance.
The event began with a networking session “Card Dash,” designed to help VISTAs connect briefly, share insights about their roles, and exchange business cards. This was followed by a variety of breakout sessions throughout the day, covering topics that balanced skill-building with self-reflection.
In Mental Health First Aid, facilitators Maetzin Mora-Diaz and Anna Scacco (Graduate Trainees from the Elon University Counseling Center) guided participants in assembling personalized wellness kits and discussed strategies for stress management. In Resilience in Service, Chesley-Akhtar invited attendees to reflect on their service journey using the “hero’s journey” framework, focusing on moments of challenge and transformation.
Financial planning was a key topic, especially for members nearing the end of their service term. Dr. Chris Harris, Associate Professor of Finance at Elon University and Director of the Center for Financial Literacy, led a session on Financial Literacy 101, offering practical advice on budgeting, credit, savings, and preparing for financial stability post-service. This marked Dr. Harris’s second year speaking at JunePalooza.
Two sessions offered a look at current tools and techniques for daily effectiveness. In Organizing Your Time, NCCE VISTA member Sydney Gilbert walked participants through time audits, to-do list strategies, and the Pomodoro Technique. In Generative AI 101, Chesley-Akhtar introduced tools like ChatGPT and Sora, giving members a starting point for exploring how AI can support their work and productivity.
In the afternoon, Stories, Steps, and Strategies, led by Program Manager Christina Wittstein, created space for a more personal dialogue about what comes next. Members shared advice with each other and explored practical ways to prepare for graduate school, career changes, or continued service.
In addition to eating a delicious lunch prepared by Elon Catering, members were invited to take part in hands-on activities, including a bookmark coloring table and a “Resilience Wall,” where participants could share what keeps them grounded during times of uncertainty. As participants returned to their service sites across North Carolina, they carried with them not only new tools and insights, but also a stronger sense of the VISTA community.
Special thanks to the NCCE team, workshop presenters, discussion facilitators, and to Elon catering for making this event a success!
This blog was written by Alice Chesley-Akhtar.