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Massachusetts Service Leader to Take Helm of AmeriCorps State and National(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, Jun 14, 2006 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) --Kristin B. McSwain, a champion of national and community service on the state and national level, has been named Director of AmeriCorps State and National , the national service program that engages Americans in service to meet community needs. McSwain, who has been CEO of the Massachusetts Service Alliance since 2003, takes office at a time of heightened interest in service and volunteering. On a national level, 65.4 million or 28.8 percent of American adults volunteered in 2005, an increase of nearly 6 million volunteers since 2002, according to "Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings," a study recently released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps. "Kristin McSwain is taking this leadership post at a moment of immense opportunity for national service, as we work with our partners to improve lives, strengthen communities, and build a culture of service, starting with 10 million new volunteers nationally over the next five years," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. "Having devoted her entire career to national service, Kristin brings an understanding of the relationships between communities, non-profits, and state governments that is essential to promoting service and volunteerism. Her experience will be crucial in our efforts to reach the next level of success with AmeriCorps." McSwain has spent her entire professional career in national and community service. She joined Teach for America after graduating from the College of William and Mary, serving as a fifth grade teacher in St. Mary Parish, La. For the next six years McSwain continued teaching and working to promote quality education through Teach for America and Citizen Schools. McSwain has worked for the Massachusetts Service Alliance since 1997, initially directing Learn and Serve and AmeriCorps programs before her appointment as CEO. McSwain has been a strong advocate of community service and an active participant in many volunteer and charitable organizations. She has served on the boards of Boston Cares, Friends of the Children Boston, the GreenLight Fund and Voices for National Service, of which she is co-chair. She received a master's degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. "National Service has had a profound influence over the past 15 years on communities across the nation," McSwain said, "At this juncture in our history it is critical for us to use all national service programs creatively to expand opportunities for every American to serve our country. I look forward to joining David Eisner and the Corporation staff in leading this endeavor." In welcoming McSwain to her new position, Eisner also thanked Elizabeth Seale, the chief operating officer of the Corporation, who has been serving as interim director of AmeriCorps. "Liz Seale did double duty for months, and handled both responsibilities with efficiency and grace. The Corporation owes her a debt of gratitude for her tireless work." McSwain will begin her assignment on August 7. AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The Corporation's mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov. http://www.usnewswire.com Siobhan Dugan, 202-606-6707, [email protected] |