The 51 AmeriCorps alums and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers hail from 32 states, plus Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and will use the power of storytelling to champion the future of service years.
APRIL 30, 2026 (Washington, DC) - Service Year Alliance announced today the newest cohort of Alums Amplified, a service year alums initiative harnessing the power of storytelling to champion the future of service years. The 2026 cohort includes 51 AmeriCorps alums and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from 32 states, plus Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their post-service year journeys highlight the transformational impact of service at a time when more and more young people are looking for reliable, meaningful pathways to success.
“Service years are one of the most powerful ways to bring people together around shared purpose,” said Maureen Eccleston, Chief Impact Officer with Service Year Alliance. “The new cohort of Alums Amplified reflects the strength of that shared commitment, with voices from across the nation coming together to elevate service as a launchpad to professional opportunity, community engagement, and civic leadership.”
Throughout the year, Alums Amplified members will use the power of storytelling in media, at sector events and convenings, with employers, and in direct meetings with elected officials to strengthen public understanding of service years and their impact on individuals, communities, and our nation. Service Year Alliance will support cohort members through storytelling training, message development, media engagement, and policy education to help alums elevate their voices effectively across multiple platforms.
Alums selected to participate include:
- Drake Mayo served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kyrgyz Republic, where he helped expand access to information for marginalized groups through community radio and digital tools. Today, Drake works as a Community Development Manager at Google, supporting workforce development initiatives and expanding access to opportunity in today’s digital economy.
- A.J. Ernst served with AmeriCorps through Teach For America in Philadelphia, where he taught middle school science in the city's high-need communities. A.J. now works as an education strategist, researcher, and professor, leading initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young people across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
- Latojia Dawkins served two terms with AmeriCorps NCCC, supporting middle school students, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, responding to disasters, and completing conservation projects across multiple states. Latoijia now serves as the Director of Interview Collection for StoryCorps.
The launch of this new cohort marks an important step in expanding a nationwide movement of service year alums who can champion the enduring impact of service, for young people today and for generations to come. Alums Amplified was launched in 2025 in the wake of significant disruption to national service. Service Year Alliance is committed to better understanding who serves and where they go after service so that we can tell the full story of a service year’s impact.
Meet the newest cohort of Alums Amplified and request a speaker at your next event.
About Service Year Alliance
Service Year Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. We envision a future in which national service is an integral part of growing up in America, with one million young people serving their communities each year. Learn more at serviceyearalliance.org.
