Russellville native Keslie Boyles has joined Alabama Possible as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer.

By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

Russellville native Keslie Boyles has joined Alabama Possible as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. Boyles will be working to build capacity for Alabama Possible’s Blueprints College Access Initiative, which equips high school students and their families with resources and relationships so that they can continue their education after high school.

The Blueprints College Access Initiative, according to its website, is a college access program. It connects 21st century high school students and their families with resources and relationships so they are equipped to graduate from high school college and career ready.

Blueprints uses a “near peer” mentoring model by engaging college students as mentors for high school students. College students demystify the college-going process and connect high school students with an information-rich network of supportive coaches who can help them make structured decisions and navigate the college admissions process.

One of Boyles’ key responsibilities with Alabama Possible will be the continued implementation of Blueprints College Access Initiative at Phil Campbell High School. Boyles, a former Northwest-Shoals Community College student, will serve as a liaison between Alabama Possible, Phil Campbell and Northwest-Shoals.

“I’m looking forward to starting it,” said Boyles. “We’re still in the planning process.”

Officials with the program said Blueprints will likely pick back up in Phil Campbell during the spring semester. From 2011-2015, Blueprints mentored a cohort of 22 Phil Campbell students throughout their high school career until their graduation in May 2015. All 22 students were admitted to college and collectively earned more than $100,000 in scholarships.

For Boyles, the involvement through AmeriCorps VISTA will be a great stepping stone for her own career goals.

“Eventually I’m wanting to run a nonprofit, and I thought the AmeriCorps program would be a good way to bridge the transition from classroom setting to the real world,” she said.

Boyles earned her MPA in nonprofit management from Troy University in May 2015. She began her college career at NW-SCC before transferring to Auburn University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

She said she is eager to share her knowledge and help encourage the PCHS students she’ll be working with, encouraging them to seek all the opportunities available to them.

“Being in such a small town, you may not consider the options you may have in the bigger picture,” Boyles said. “I am a little nervous (about the program), just because it’s something new I haven’t done before, (but) I’m going to be extremely prepared.”