Leah Allmer

Hometown: I was part of an army family, so we moved a lot

Educational Background: BA in Anthropology and Minor in Chemistry from Georgia State University

Host Site: The Arc Jacksonville - Westside

What is your role at your host site?

Wellness Coordinator

Why did you join AmeriCorps/National Health Corps?

During my senior seminar class, we had alumni come in and speak about what they’ve done following graduation. One student discussed his involvement in AmeriCorps doing therapeutic gardening which piqued my interest. Initially having thought AmeriCorps was simply either Habitat for Humanity or education, when I stumbled upon NHC, I knew that I wanted to join to take a year and actually do something hands-on that I never could in the “real world” given my limited experience.

What are you hoping to gain from your year of service?

I’m hoping to have experiences that are not merely bullet points for my resume, but that impact my overall being and future aspirations. Experiences that positively benefit those I serve and leave a lasting impression on them to help in their lives. Also, I’m  hoping to create and maintain a network of colleagues who will support each other later on in our respective endeavors.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps service?

My post AmeriCorps plans will involve some kind of higher education. Whether that will be a Master’s Program or medical school, I’m not sure yet.

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I imagine myself either in medical school or working on some sort of healthcare related business endeavor. If I pursue the latter, I would definitely be traveling internationally becoming acquainted with health issues globally and also learning various business models implemented to better those health issues.