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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Value Statement
    • Strategic Priorities & Goals
    • Our Board
    • Our Campus Members >
      • Member Benefits
    • Our Staff
    • Our History
  • Our Impact
    • AmeriCorps VISTA
    • Communities of Practice
    • Civic Innovation Scholars
    • Member Spotlights
    • Civic Imagination Grants
    • ERCC
    • Events
    • Food Security Network >
      • About
      • Network Members
      • Upcoming Events
      • Resources
      • Join the Network
  • AmeriCorps
    • Summer Associates
    • 22 - 23 VISTA Projects
    • Become a VISTA
    • Host a VISTA
    • VISTA Blog
    • VISTA Resources
    • VISTA Legacy
  • Resources
    • Election Resources
    • Articles, Books, Journals & Manuals

Celebrate Pride Month with a CCNYPA Alum!

6/22/2021

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First of all! Happy Pride Month! Hi my name is Ken Lambert Jr, my pronouns are he/him & they/ them. I am the Graduate Program Coordinator, where I manage the graduate Master’s and PhD programs for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department at The University of Pennsylvania, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
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I started a college access and career readiness program for 100+ high school students. As a 1st generation college graduate, this was a deeply personal and important project for me.
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Q: What was your favorite part about being a member of the Campus Compact of NY & PA?
A: This is a tough one. It is two-fold for me. It gave me the opportunity to be in an environment with people (VISTA’s) where I could be “out” comfortably. It also allowed me to tap into an undiscovered passion for education equity.

Q: How has serving as a VISTA impacted your life/current position?
A: As the first in my family to graduate from college, all I wanted to do was escape the poverty, abuse, and shame I grew up with.  Serving as a VISTA was like a step back in time to my childhood. Getting SNAP again, working with 1st gen students, reliving all the things I was ashamed of and tried to hide. My time as a VISTA  gave me the opportunity to confront the societal shame that is attributed to being poor by developing a program and creating a space where students could come as they are. It also guides every decision I make professionally by influencing the decisions I make regarding student engagement, admissions. It's a constant reminder to me to create pathways wherever I can.
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Q: What would you say are the most important skills you gained during your Year of Service?
A: The most important skill I learned was leadership. Growing up, I had to hide my identity, my voice, and lacked confidence. MY VISTA year helped me develop the confidence to be a leader and To embrace my identity. 5 years later, I just wrapped up my time on the board of the Human Rights Campaign of Greater Philadelphia where I advocated and created space for LGBTQIA+ people like myself socially, economically, and culturally.
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Q: What is a word of advice you can give to current CCNYPA VISTAs?
A: Be your authentic self. Despite the shame, fear, or hesitancy you may feel, remember that this is a safe and affirming community of people who are here to help you grow!
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Q: What is a piece of insight you would share with someone interested in being a CCNYPA VISTA?
​A: Sit with the uncomfortable. Whether that may be. And grow from it.
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