Meet the 2025-2026 AmeriCorps Cohort!
Kassidy E.
Serving with Monongahela National Forest
Hello, I’m Kassidy, and I’m serving with the Monongahela National Forest’s Heritage Department as a member of the Historic Trades Team. My service focuses on the restoration and preservation of historic structures found within the National Forest. I was raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Greenville, South Carolina, and have a deep appreciation for Appalachia’s rich culture as well as its physical landscape. I am excited for the opportunity to channel my passion for this region through my service with AFNHA. In my free time, I enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, reading, and writing.
Kat M.
Serving with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Hello! My name is Kat! I’m working at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge as a biological technician. I’m from Mississippi and recently graduated from the University of Mississippi. I love all things nature, though I’m particularly partial to reptiles and amphibians! I also enjoy painting, reading, and writing.
Samantha G.
Serving with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
My name is Samantha Grimes. I am a new AmeriCorps with Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. I’m from Frederick, Maryland. I graduated from Alderson Broaddus University in 2023 with majors in environmental sciences and natural resource management with a concentration in wildlife. I interned with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Save Our Streams program. I also interned for Save the Tygart Watershed Association. My last position was as an environmental educator with Pocono Environmental Education Center. On my time off, I enjoy hiking, playing DnD, and reading.
Daniel C.
Serving with U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Hi! My name is Daniel, and I'm serving with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the Canaan Valley. I'm originally from the other, easterly version of Virginia, and I recently finished a B.S. in Environmental & Sustainability Sciences at Cornell University. There, my studies emphasized applied ecology and aquatic research, and a summer I spent paddling ponds with a freshwater ecology lab was instrumental in cultivating my love of fieldwork. Here in the Mountain State, I'm thrilled to be getting out and about with the FWS, helping advance projects on stream connectivity, endangered species conservation, and private landowner engagement. When spare time makes itself available, I enjoy reading, cooking, and goofing off outside.
Emma H.
Serving with Monongahela National Forest
Hello, my name is Emma Hamilton, and I will be a Watershed and Fisheries Technician for the Forest Service for the next year. I was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia and moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana when I was 16. I have always loved the outdoors and studied Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Louisiana State University. Most recently I was employed at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in the Fayetteville area. I worked with the aquatics team, performing water quality tests and various inventory and monitoring surveys. My favorite project this summer was snorkel surveys for Candy Darters in the Gauley River. In my free time I enjoy running the river, mountain biking, and camping. I am so excited to be a part of the aquatics team in the Monongahela National Forest and am looking forward to continuing my career in watershed management and restoration!
Adrianne T.
Serving with Monongahela National Forest
I’m Adrianne and I'm thrilled to serve with Monongahela National Forest. I’m from South Carolina but I grew up visiting family in West Virginia. While completing my Bachelors in Environmental Studies, I researched legacy sediments in a local floodplain, igniting my passion for watershed management and restoration. I previously completed two other AmeriCorps internships, one in New York as a Stream Stewardship Assistant with Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District, and another in Georgia as a Forest Technician with the Fish and Wildlife Service. In my free time I love backpacking, bird watching, knitting, and practicing wildlife identification.
Jennifer C.
Serving with Webster County Woodchopping Museum
Hi, I’m Jennifer Cutlip, and I’m excited to be in my first year with AmeriCorps through AFNHA, serving as the Museum Coordinator at the Webster County Woodchopping Museum. Originally from North Carolina, I’ve lived in West Virginia for six years and have fallen in love with the state’s rich history. I’m currently working on a Lumberjill display to honor the incredible women who’ve competed in woodchopping, celebrating their strength and legacy.
Outside of the museum, I’m passionate about advocating for grandparents raising grandchildren, as I am currently raising two grandsons and an adopted son. I also work hard to transition to American-made, chemical-free products in my home for the health and safety of my family. I’m grateful for the opportunity to combine my love for history, family advocacy, and healthy living in everything I do.
