Meet Our Members

Above: 2024 MLK Jr. Day Park & River Clean-up. 

We couldn’t be more excited to introduce this year’s cohort of passionately inspired AmeriCorps members serving across SW Oregon! United Communities is an AmeriCorps program for folks 17 years and older eager to make tangible community change through full-time service at non-profits, schools, government agencies, and non-profits. Each member serves at their project for 11-months, and a total of 1,700 service hours. Our 2023-2024 AmeriCorps cohort began service at the end of August by attending our 3 day orientation. 

Over the next 11 months, each of our members will support the organizational capacity of their host sites by implementing capacity building goals, while finding strategic and safe ways for community volunteers and youth-service learners to engage in their projects

Ashtin Bowden (he/him) | Charleston, OR 

Estuary Explorers Educator serving at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

ashtin.bowden@dsl.oregon.gov

Ashtin Bowden is a free-spirited east coast native ready to seek the joy at any moment! Ashtin is very active! Find him hiking the woods, climbing cliffside, playing a flute, reading a book or cruising down a snowy peak. He spent his post-college years seeing other countries and traversing the United States.

This is where his love for Oregon originated. He fell in love with the cold beaches, cliffsides, coastal berries, and the myriad of landscapes and ecology. His goal this year is serving community members of Coos county.

Partnered with South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, they will be delivering afterschool programs focusing on estuaries, marine environments, and grasp overarching concepts of a diverse ecosystem.

Lakia Burnside-Atkinson (she/her) | Roseburg, OR 

Multicultural Resource Facilitator serving at Umpqua Community College

lakia.burnside-atkinson@umpqua.edu

Lakia is a home-grown Douglas County Oregon resident. From 2016-2022 she has dedicated herself to advocacy work supporting survivors of Domestic Violence. She is currently pursuing a human services degree, while being a mother of two and serving her first full time term with United Communities AmeriCorps.

Lakia enjoys spending time with family and friends. Hiking, biking, swimming and crafting. She strives to find beauty and adventure in each day. She is curious about learning more and gaining a better understanding of the world's diverse cultures. Helping to cultivate a learning environment and community where all people feel like they belong, they matter, and they feel supported.

Julie Lowe (she/her) | Roseburg, OR 

Environmental Education & Outreach Leader serving at Umpqua Watersheds

Office: (541) 672-7065  | julie@umpquawatersheds.org 

Born in Colorado and raised in Montana, nature has been my home and love from my earliest memories. Having lived in both the mountains and plains of Montana, nature was my first teacher, and I’ve never looked back. With a degree from Colorado College in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science, I am a life-long learner and teacher. I have additional studies in Wilderness Management, and certifications as a Professional Knowledge Engineer, a Maryland Master Naturalist, and a Master Herpetologist. My expertise is with nature-based, hands-on science, and I have spent over 15 years teaching physics, chemistry and natural sciences to our youth through my own company “Cricket’s Critters.” With a love of learning and an overwhelming enthusiasm to teach and inspire others, especially our youngest community members, I strive to embrace the quote from Naturalist David Polis in everything I do:

‘Why must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the stars and the mountains above. Let them look at the waters and the trees and flowers on Earth. Then they will begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.”

I began my professional career in Maryland as a Knowledge Engineer, then spent several years working with two national non-profit organizations, The Wilderness Society and American Rivers, learning the value of legislation on a national level as a tool to protect our most profound national treasures, our wild lands and our rivers. At the same time, I saw first-hand how working on the ground, at the grassroots level, is where the most important work can be accomplished as we reach the individuals and communities who are at the heart of any meaningful change. I firmly believe that knowledge and education are key to empowering individuals, even children, with the knowledge, expertise, skills, and awareness to effect meaningful change where necessary, while reserving the finest in nature before it needs rescue – giving them the tools to “save the best and restore the rest.”

Nadia Stoker (she/her) | Charleston, OR 

Marine Science Youth and Volunteer Educator serving at The Charleston Marine Life Center

(541) 888-2581   | nadias@uoregon.edu

Hi! I’m Nadia and I’m the United Communities AmeriCorps Marine Science Volunteer and Youth Educator at the Charleston Marine Life Center. My service primarily involves training volunteers on aquarium care and maintenance procedures at the Charleston Marine Life Center as well as marine science program delivery and methods to improve science communication. During my second service year, I will be focusing on implementing climate change communication strategies in the form of new exhibits and activities that engage guests of all ages to learn more about climate change and the ways that we can all help. I will also be introducing local community college students to marine biology concepts by leading field explorations in local coastal habitats. I am excited to encourage students to explore career opportunities by organizing opportunities for the students to interact with university graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, a marine veterinarian, and resource managers. 

I enjoy serving at the Charleston Marine Life Center as it provides the perfect opportunity to learn and practice science communication techniques, gain confidence delivering education programs to a variety of age levels, and encourage community members to connect to their local marine life. My favorite part of belonging to United Communities AmeriCorps is meeting and working with incredible people from various backgrounds to serve the broader community with our unique perspectives and skills.

Kalee Paxton (she/her, they/them) | Roseburg, OR 

Brightworks Education to Career Mentor serving at Douglas County Partners for Student Success

dcpssamericorps@gmail.com 

Kalee is a Roseburg local who has served with Americorps for four terms, helping expand outreach opportunities. She graduated from OSU in 2018 with a bachelor's in Recreation Resource Managment and a minor in education. Kalee is interested in helping students find their passions and is looking forward to being an empathetic hand that guides them to potential careers and education opportunities.


When not serving, you can find Kalee spending time with her cat and bird, working on art. 


Tracy Maxwell (she/her) | Roseburg, OR 

Outreach Coordinator serving at Umpqua Valley Audubon Society

Office: 541-672-7065 | tracy.maxwell@ucancap.org

Tracy Maxwell is a nature loving kayaker, pickleball player and mother of 2 adult daughters. Her Journey to Umpqua Valley Audubon Society (UVAS) began with a deep love of nature from her early childhood and has remained a constant passion throughout her life. She was a Naturalist and K-12 Teacher most of her adult life working primarily in Northern California. She relocated to Roseburg Oregon to be closer to her family last year. She remains as captivated by the natural world as she was as a young child. She seeks to share that passion with every person possible in hopes of generating more support for environmental conservation and protection. 

This year, Tracy is returning for her second term of service with AmeriCorps and Umpqua Valley Audubon Society. It is her goal to continue to improve community outreach for UVAS. 

Sam Inada (he/him) | Phoenix, OR 

Pollinator Educator and Outreach Specialist serving at Pollinator Project Rogue Valley

sam.pprv@gmail.com 

Sam Inada is a Jackson County native who recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Global Studies. He decided that an awesome way to combine his passion for people, education, and the environment would be through an AmeriCorps position with the Pollinator Project Rogue Valley. There, he will be learning and teaching kids about the amazing world of native bees and their importance to our local ecosystem, while connecting with his community.


Sam’s favorite non-bee-related activities are coaching soccer, tutoring Japanese, and hanging out with his friends. 


Isabel Jalamov (she/her) | Jacksonville, OR 

Rural Schools Learning Coordinator serving at Ruch Outdoor Community School

isabel.jalamov@medford.k12.or.us 

Isabel grew up in Pataskala, Ohio, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Kent State University in 2021. Since then, she has pursued a career in environmental education, and recently graduated with her Master of Science degree in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. In her free time, Isabel enjoys hiking with her dog Indie, camping, and cooking. 

She is incredibly thrilled to be staying in the Rogue Valley to start her new role as the new Rural Schools Learning Coordinator with United Communities AmeriCorps hosted at Ruch Outdoor Community School in Jacksonville, OR. Isabel is particularly excited to get dirty in the garden with the kiddos! 

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