Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 18 Corps Member Spotlight: Josh Keiser

Editor's Note: We occasionally run spotlights on AmeriCorps NCCC participants to let area residents know more about those living among them this year and serving people in several states from their base at the Iowa Braille School campus. Today we feature Josh Keiser. Name: Josh Keiser Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich. Josh is currently serving as a member of Oak 6 with AmeriCorps NCCC at the Vinton Campus. He is committed to working with a diverse group of individuals and has hands on experience in community development. Josh traveled through Sub-Saharan Africa working at an orphanage in Tanzania and volunteered at Planned Parenthood. Josh graduated from Portage High School in 2007 and the University of Montana in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in International Development and African American Studies. Prior to joining NCCC, Josh was working as a researcher and writer for an environmental engineering firm and as the caretaker for a friend’s elderly grandmother. After his term of service Josh is going to continue working in the community developing field whether it is through another AmeriCorps program or a different organization. Josh feels strongly committed to community service and promoting an ethic of community service. He believes NCCC will give him the opportunity to continue his dedication towards a positive change in American Communities. Josh and his team are currently serving in Iowa City, Iowa with the Coralville Lake Project. They are assisting the US Army Corps of Engineers with repairing trails and the Johnson County Fairgrounds with facilities maintenance. Before this project, Oak 6 was in Oxford, Mich. working with Crossroads for Youth. They mentored and educated at-risk youth as well as assisted with maintaining the facilities. Some fun facts about Josh: Q: What is your favorite movie? Rabbit-Proof Fence Q: What is your favorite book? Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut Q: What is your favorite candy? Mike and Ikes Q: What is your favorite food? Veggie Lasagna Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? Wherever my true love resides Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Hike, run, play and share music, read, write and dance