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Leah Higgins was introduced to AmeriCorps during an outreach event on campus while studying Interdisciplinary Environmental Science and Society at Eastern Michigan University. It wasn’t until over a year later that she decided to serve as a member.
Higgins, who works as an Education Programs Developer with the Department of Natural Resources, said she saw AmeriCorps as an opportunity to build her professional skills. At the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in northern Michigan, Higgins offers education programs to the visitors who stay in the on-site lodges.
“As an Education Programs Developer, I get to meet a lot of people who come to the center and just want to explore the area and have someone guide them,” she said. “I do a mix of outdoor education and environmental education. It’s really fun to meet people from all over.”
In 2021, the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) awarded Higgins with the Rising Star Award, an award given to people in the environmental education field for less than five years that has helped make an impact.
“I won that award for creating the MI Pines map and helping to get that project off the ground,” she said. “I was able to create a map where you can go and see local outdoor classrooms in your area.”
Prior to serving with AmeriCorps, Higgins was an intern with the Department of Natural Resources’ Education Division where she created the virtual MI Pines map. The map shows parks, trails and conservancies open to the public throughout the state of Michigan. It helps for teachers and other environmentalists to teach nature lessons outdoors.
“AmeriCorps is a great way to get a variety of experiences while also building real professional skills,” said Higgins. “I enjoy that I get to travel and see a lot of different parts of the state.”