FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 20, 2024

AmeriCorps CEO Joins Utah Governor to Swear in Newest Cohort of One Utah Service Fellowship, Issues President’s Volunteer Service Awards to State Legislators 

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The One Utah Service Fellowship launched this summer, providing debt-free pathways to college while engaging students across the state in solving problems in their communities. On Thursday, Sept. 19, AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith and AmeriCorps State and National Director Sonali Nijhawan joined Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Lieutenant Governor Henderson to swear in one of the program’s inaugural cohorts. CEO Smith issued the President’s Volunteer Service Award to two state legislators for the instrumental part they played in securing funding for the program.

The One Utah Service Fellowship provides post-high school young adults and matriculated college students real world experience working in public service. In 2024, the state of Utah passed legislation to allocate funds to support living allowances for participating individuals. Participants will serve through nine universities across the state of Utah. 

The One Utah Service Fellowship program is coordinated through Utah State University and receives federal funding from AmeriCorps through UServeUtah, the State’s Commission on Service and Volunteering. This federal funding is matched through the state funding appropriated by the legislation passed earlier this year. 

“It is so meaningful to join Governor Cox and Lieutenant Governor Henderson to celebrate the newest cohort of One Utah Service Fellowship AmeriCorps members,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “These young people choose to dedicate their time to their community – all while investing in their future, by earning professional skills and education awards to help pay for tuition. The state of Utah is leading the way when it comes to inviting young people to help build a brighter future, all while reducing barriers so that anyone who wants to serve, can.” 

Instrumental in the passage were two key legislators: State Senator Ann Millner and State Representative Val Peterson. AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith presented each legislator with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their commitment to supporting National Service and ensuring that young people have a pathway to careers in public service and debt-free college education. 

During the event, a group of 50 AmeriCorps members were sworn in by the Director of AmeriCorps State and National, Sonali Nijhawan, the first AmeriCorps Alum to serve as the program’s director. Governor Cox, Lieutenant Governor Henderson, the Director of UserveUtah Loggins Merrill, and Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez all delivered remarks of welcome and celebration.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.