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PUBLIC & SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP MAIN OFFICE
Logan, UT – Utah State University
The PSP office provides support and training to PSP VISTA members and Site Supervisors as well as to its Senior & Community volunteers and stations. The main office is in charge of all hiring and budgeting, and it also coordinates national days of service events.
The PSP office provides support and training to PSP VISTA members and Site Supervisors as well as to its Senior & Community volunteers and stations. The main office is in charge of all hiring and budgeting, and it also coordinates national days of service events.
Director
Mark Larese-CasanovaResponsibilities: As the PSP Project Director, Mark oversees grant writing and budgeting, reporting, placements and partnerships, university and federal processes, employee training and supervision, and other responsibilities relate to effectively managing a nonprofit organization.
Bio: Mark is originally from Connecticut and received Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Wildlife Conservation and Management from the University of Connecticut. He began his career as a seasonal intern for the U.S. Forest Service where he learned the value of service to communities and agencies. Since 2003, Mark has devoted his career at Utah State University to developing partnerships with non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies to build educational capacity. He developed, taught, and directed several education programs from multidisciplinary K-12 field trip programs to statewide training program for adults. Through these programs, Mark has trained tens of thousands of youth and thousands of adults. Utah Master Naturalist, Mark's flagship program, trained over a hundred volunteer naturalists, Americorps members, K-12 teachers, and agency professionals every year. To further build educational capacity in his field, Mark has shared his experience directing and evaluating programs through professional presentations, fact sheets, and peer-reviewed publications. |
Program Coordinator
Aubrey CallResponsibilities: Aubrey coordinates many of the functions that help PSP run as a VISTA project, including: supporting school-based sites and VISTAs, exiting VISTA members, navigating university and federal processes and systems, VAD development, VISTA recognition, time card intake and tracking, and conducting site visits. Aubrey is also a Site Supervisor for one of PSP's VISTA Leaders.
Bio: Aubrey previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with PSP in from 2018-2019 at Cache High School, and she is excited to be a part of this program again. She loves being a part of something where she knows she is making a difference. With AmeriCorps VISTA, she is able to leave work knowing she is helping in some way. Aubrey enjoys spending time with her friends and family and playing the guitar when she has some free time. She truly believes, “Life is better when you’re laughing.” 
AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Abby SladeResponsibilities: The VISTA Leader with PSP serves as a liaison between the VISTA members and the PSP administrative team. VISTA Leaders serve as advocates for VISTA members, support them in their service endeavors, guide them through various systems and processes, and engage in other tasks to ensure VISTA members have a successful and satisfying service term.
Bio: Abby is a native to Cache Valley and has previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with PSP at South Cache Middle School and Sky View High School. She holds a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in School Counseling. She has 5 years of experience working in schools and enjoys working with kids on an individual basis. She loves mentoring and helping others in any capacity whether it is education, theatre, or helping her coworkers. For this reason, Abby is excited to share her knowledge and join the team as a VISTA Leader and hopes to provide support to the school-based VISTAs as well as the community ones. Her favorite part about mentoring is being able to see the individuals achieve the goals they have set for themselves. She hopes to further her education at some point by pursuing a masters degree in Social Work. Abby is also a part business owner of "Pita Works Grill" which is a family owned catering business started in Cache Valley over 30 years ago. |
Event Coordinator
Tina PeralezResponsibilities: The Event Coordinator supports the PSP office and VISTA members by coordinating service projects, quarterly conferences, recognition ceremonies, and other events. The Event Coordinator also assists with community and social media outreach.
Bio: Tina was born and raised in south Texas and received her degree in Psychology from Utah State University with an emphasis in Sociology. With a strong passion for education, she worked as an AmeriCorps member serving lower social-economic status schools during her time at USU. After graduation, she wanted to continue to serve her community and became an AmeriCorps VISTA. During her free time, she loves to express her creativity through playing guitar, baking and painting. Tina's life passion is to spread Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness. 
AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Myia BartonResponsibilities: The VISTA Leader with PSP serves as a liaison between the VISTA members and the PSP administrative team. VISTA Leaders serve as advocates for VISTA members, support them in their service endeavors, guide them through various systems and processes, and engage in other tasks to ensure VISTA members have a successful and satisfying service term.
Bio: Myia is one of PSP's VISTA Leaders. Myia has served in several different capacities at PSP, including one year of AmeriCorps VISTA service with the Northern Utah Native Connection, one previous year of service as VISTA Leader, and some time as PSP's Event Coordinator. Her passion is helping in her community in whatever capacity available. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her children and adventuring with her family. |
