Meet the 2025-2026 AmeriCorps Cohort!
Elizabeth Mahoney
Serving with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Howdy! My name is Elizabeth Mahoney and I am serving as a Biological Technician at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. I grew up in central Maryland and have always had a passion for conservation work and environmental science. I wanted to serve with AmeriCorps to give back to the community through conservation and education projects, and to learn more about the Appalachian region. In my free time, I like to go outside and identify/study plants. I also enjoy baking and rugby. I am excited to get field experience, learn, and grow from this year in the AFNHA AmeriCorps program!
Roman Uhrig
Serving with Augusta Heritage Center
I'm from Chichester on the south coast of the United Kingdom where I lived for 11 years before spending 12 years in Norwich in the county of Norfolk. My family, who have extended relatives in the area, moved to Elkins in March 2024. I came to Elkins in January of 2025 after taking an intentional gap period in the UK where I pursued and developed my passion in event management — mainly in the Contemporary Christian Music and worship world. I was blessed to be able to work with the Augusta Heritage Centre throughout the summer of 2025 as their stage manager for their summer program. I am excited to play an active role with the support and collaboration of AFNHA!
Grace Fry
Serving with the US Forest Service
Hi, my name is Grace Fry, and I am the South Zone Recreation Assistant in Marlinton! I will be doing trail management in order to keep all the hiking areas as easily accessible as possible. I chose to serve with AmeriCorps because of the amazing learning opportunities and the connections I will make. I am working on my masters in wildlife conservation and advocacy, but in my free time I go for short hikes, thrift, work on my truck, or try out new recipes.
Vicky Neal
Serving with the Greenbrier Historical Society
I am Vicky Neal, serving with the Greenbrier Historical Society (GHS) in Greenbrier County. I am conducting research and oral histories for the Hidden History of Western Greenbrier County; a project to highlight the untold story of life and work that centered around the coal, timber and railroad industries. I have an MA in Art Education and taught visual art for 24 years in Greenbrier and Preston counties. Since retirement in 2018, I’ve been a volunteer with the Rupert Area Improvement Council and the Meadow River Valley Association. I served with Preservation Alliance of WV during the 2024-25 service year with GHS. I serve so the rich history of western Greenbrier County communities can be acknowledged and celebrated.
Emily Oxford-Pickeral
Serving with The Beverly Heritage Center
My name is Emily—nickname OP—and I am serving with the Beverly Heritage Center in Beverly, WV. I recently moved from Denver, CO, where I received my MA in art history and museum studies from the University of Denver in 2024. My role at the heritage center is in museum development, and I am passionate about making engaging displays and interactives for museum visitors. My service is rooted in a love for community-based museums. In my spare time I enjoy reading (especially Jane Austen), thrifting and antiquing, and looking for cool birds on walks.
Treasure Barberich-Wyckoff
Serving with the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area
My name is Treasure, and I am serving as a Communications Associate with the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. As a budding public historian, serving in AmeriCorps will allow me to learn new skills in my field and expand my knowledge of the region—all while getting to give back to the state I love. I'm currently completing my MA in Public History at WVU. When I'm not studying or writing papers, I love to play board games, do pottery, and travel.
Emily Higgs
Serving with The Elkins Depot Welcome Center
Hello! My name is Emily Higgs, and I am from Wheeling, West Virginia. I recently obtained my Masters in Anthropology from Queen’s University Belfast, where I focused my research on community building in Appalachia. I am serving this year at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, providing information to guests on local history and promoting tourism in Randolph County and beyond. I wanted to serve with AmeriCorps through AFNHA because I am passionate about creating community connections, preserving the landscape of Appalachia, and sharing the culture of West Virginia. In my spare time I enjoy crafting, reading, and hiking, and I am learning to play the banjo.
Jesse Dickens
Serving with the Beverly Heritage Center
Hey everyone! My name’s Jesse, and I’m the new AmeriCorps member serving at the Beverly Heritage Center as the Rich Mountain Battlefield Coordinator! I have a background in artisan crafts like blacksmithing, woodworking, and leatherwork, along with experience in historical interpretation. I’m really excited to start serving West Virginia through AmeriCorps and to help share our region’s incredible history!
Rachel Hellwarth
Serving with Arthurdale Heritage Inc.
Hello! I’m Rachel, serving with Arthurdale Heritage as their Heritage Coordinator. This is my second term with AFNHA’s AmeriCorps program, having served as the Collections’s Coordinator for the Upshur County Historical Society previously. My background is in Art History with a Master’s in Textile Histories from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. During my Masters program I focused on object-based research approaches in curating, interpreting, and preserving historic textiles. I am excited to share the history of Arthurdale with visitors and contribute to the archives with an emphasis on their textiles collection. I will also be coordinating The Arthurdale Heritage Fiber Guild and look forward to developing my weaving skills while contributing to the growing fiber arts community in the region.
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.
London Patterson
Serving with the Beverly Heritage Center
Hello, my name is London, and I’m serving as the Programs Coordinator at the BHC. I graduated from Queens College CUNY in New York with a major in Anthropology/Archaeology and a minor in Animation and Illustration. Much of my studies focused on bridging the gap between archaeological research and stakeholders. Serving with AmeriCorps has provided many opportunities to work towards that goal in a meaningful way. In my free time, I enjoy writing, drawing, video games, and jigsaw puzzles.
