Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20 Team Leader Spotlight: Katie Hawn

Katie Hawn, from San Jose, Calif., is the team leader for Spruce 1 in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps’ Class 20. She arrived in Vinton on July 22, 2013, to start her 11-month service term leading a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Spruce 1 is made up of nine people from across the country and they will serve together on emergency management and long-term recovery projects with FEMA.

Katie learned about the NCCC program from her cousin who served in the program with the Sacramento campus. Katie says she decided to join the FEMA Corps program because of her passion for community involvement. “I thought that AmeriCorps would be a great way to get more involved in communities other than my own, see a different part of the country and also narrow down my passions prior to pursuing a career,” she says.

Katie brings her compassion, confidence and enthusiasm to the team leader position. She says, “I am committed to the projects I start and pride myself on my positive attitude in stressful situations.” These skills will come in handy as she guides a team through the various projects they will complete throughout the year.

Katie graduated from Leigh High School in 2009 and received her bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in June 2013. After completing her term of service, she may choose to serve another year or pursue a master’s degree.

Katie has had a few interesting experiences in her past. In 2011 she won a national championship for ultimate Frisbee and in the summer 2012 she lived in England where she conducted research at the University of York’s psychology department.

Some fun facts about Katie:

Q: What was your first job? A summer camp counselor

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? A princess, specifically Snow White, and also a paleontologist/astronaut

Q: What will be your first words of advice for your team members? Be flexible. We’re all going to be learning a lot and we’ll need to adapt.

Q: What is one place in the world that you really, really wish you could visit? Australia

Q: If you could come back as an animal which animal would it be and why? A dolphin because you could swim all over the world and do cool tricks out of the water. Plus, they’re pretty smart.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Run, work out, write and play ultimate Frisbee

Q: Could you give us one reason to join AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps? Service and new/challenging experiences