Each year, as students prepare to graduate and step into the next chapter of their lives, we take time to reflect on the relationships and support systems that help them get there. For the 50 graduating College Corps Fellows at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), that support includes the behind-the-scenes work of our Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA member who builds programs, strengthens resources, and creates opportunities for student success.
College Corps is an AmeriCorps State and National program at UCSD, offering undergraduate students the chance to serve their community while gaining financial, academic, and professional support. Fellows commit to serving 15 hours a week, totaling 450 service hours over the year, in focus areas like K-12 education, food insecurity, and public health. In return, they receive a living stipend of up to $7,000, a $3,000 education award, and benefits like job experience, resume-building, professional development, statewide networking, and the pride of making a difference in their community.
Eddie Tapia Pappo, an alum of the UCSD College Corps program and the current Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA at UCSD, shared his VISTA service experience, reflecting on the role his service played in supporting graduating students and College Corps Fellows.
“While I was a College Corps Fellow at UCSD, before graduating and becoming a Campus Compact VISTA member, College Corps made a significant impact on me. It gave me the financial peace of mind and service experience that allowed me to graduate without overwhelming debt while also building the skills and network I’ll carry into the workforce. During my VISTA service year, I’ve had the privilege of supporting a wide range of graduating students through events, mentorship, and hands-on systems work that lets our College Corps program run smoothly.”
One of the highlights Eddie shared was co-organizing the “Graduating Fellows: From Service to Next Steps” workshop.
“In the first half, we brought in a guest speaker who specialized in helping first-gen and service-minded students translate their experience into resumes and job applications. In the second half, we hosted a Q&A panel with individuals working in the Peace Corps, public health, education, nonprofits, and graduate school.”
Their goal was to help College Corps Fellows make meaningful connections between their service and their next steps, whether that’s seeking employment or continuing their education.
Behind the scenes, he developed a centralized Airtable system that made it easier for Fellows to access resources, track opportunities, and stay engaged. It became a go-to hub for everything: from the Fellows’ service site information to professional development tools. In the office, Eddie is jokingly referred to as “The Architect”, a title that he has embraced. Following AmeriCorps VISTA’s core pillar of “creating sustainable solutions, Eddie is the architect of tools that will last beyond his service year.
Daniela, one of the graduating College Corps Fellows Eddie’s VISTA service supported this year, is earning her Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics. She's a transfer student, a first-generation college student, and a three-year College Corps Fellow. Daniela is someone who brought deep heart and dedication to every role she took on during her tenure with College Corps.
Daniela discovered the program during her last year at community college before transferring to UCSD. "I usually ignore these kinds of emails," she said. "But something about College Corps stood out. I was feeling isolated, and it felt like the connection I needed.”
That connection grew quickly. Prior to enrolling at UCSD and beginning her journey as a College Corps Fellow, Daniela served at a daycare, creating STEM-based enrichment activities for young learners. After transferring to UCSD and beginning with College Corps, she worked as a high school tutor and developed college-prep presentations for high school seniors, covering topics like financial aid, pros and cons of the California State University System vs the University of California system, and community college transfer pathways.
In her final year as a College Corps Fellow, Daniela transitioned to focus on student food security and also stepped into a leadership role within College Corps by serving as a Fellow Guide. As the College Corps Fellow Volunteer Coordinator for the Food Recovery Network, she helped recover food from grocery stores and dining halls, redistributing it to students in need. She also recruited and trained new volunteers to staff the Basic Needs Center, supporting them throughout the year.
Looking back, Daniela says her biggest takeaway is the importance of community.
"College Corps gave me a support system in the professional staff and the other Fellows. I learned how important it is to find your people who accept and support you."
Even after completing her service hours, Daniela has continued to volunteer, saying, "I realized I really loved it. I love being a part of something bigger than me."
Daniela shared how much of an impact Eddie's work had on her experience.
"The Airtable he built was incredible. As a College Corps Guide, Fellows were always asking me where to find things, and I could just say, ‘go on our Airtable!’ It has tabs for everything: service info, opportunities, resources. It was super efficient.” She also credited his role in helping structure the College Corps meetings and bringing guest speakers that supported professional development, adding, "He helped guide us in ways that made the program more meaningful."
For Fellows serving with College Corps, the program creates opportunities to grow professionally, make a real difference in their communities, and reduce the financial stress of obtaining a college degree. The Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA program provides VISTA Members like Eddie a chance to shape systems that support student success, while gaining firsthand experience in fields like higher education and community engagement. As Daniella prepares for a gap year before pursuing grad school, and Eddie looks to complete his year as a Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA member in August, both carry forward a deep commitment to serving their community