AmeriCorps Featured Members - Jordan & Lia
Jordan Derouin and Lia Franzone are members of MACOG’s first AmeriCorps Cohort serving with the St. Joseph River Basin Commission this summer. They take weekly surface water samples at 10 sites in Steuben County along waterways that are upstream of the St. Joseph River. These samples are tested for E. Coli, nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, temperature, stream flow, and more. The goal is to understand the health of the watershed and downstream impacts for decision makers to understand impairments and develop solutions that benefit the local communities without burdening communities downstream. The freshwater resources in Northern Indiana are not only economically significant, they are also an important part of the area’s cultural identity.
“I am happy to support my community by doing this project. I’ve lived in Steuben County my whole life so this project means a lot to me.”
Jordan
What AmeriCorps activities have been most meaningful to you?
The lab work and data because it really puts what we are sampling into perspective, and the impact of our findings on our community.
How has service in the AmeriCorps program at MACOG and living in our region impacted your career aspirations?
This program definitely made me learn valuable skills and provided me with great insight on the field of environmental science.
What’s next after your AmeriCorps service is completed?
My plan is to finish my Biology Degree at Trine University then apply to the Air Force Officer Training School.
“My favorite part of my service is being able to work in the field and see these streams firsthand. I like to think that what we are doing will someday help the overall health of these bodies of water which will in turn make the water safer for people to enjoy.”
Lia
What project has been most meaningful to you?
Going out into the field and collecting our samples and our data has been the most meaningful to me. I’ve learned how much detail and time goes into field work and how crucial it is to do everything right. I’ve been able to meet and speak with the locals who live around the sites we test at and hear their stories. I’ve also spoken with those who test our samples and learned about the processes the samples go through, and it’s been extremely insightful.
How has service in the AmeriCorps program at MACOG and living in our region impacted your career aspirations?
My service in the AmeriCorps program at MACOG has opened my eyes to a plethora of job opportunities in this field that I was previously unaware of. It gives me hope for my future career knowing how important and crucial this type of work is.
What’s next after your AmeriCorps service is completed?
After my AmeriCorps service is completed, I plan on finishing my degree in Biology at Trine University. I hope to be able to work with AmeriCorps in the future and continue my service after I graduate.
