Contact

Sarah Hegg (she/her/hers)

Assistant Director

Sarah Hegg is the Assistant Director for the College Corps Program at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and has worked at Cal Poly since 2010, leading grant-funded research and reform efforts across the School of Education, Bailey College of Science and Mathematics, and currently in the Department of Leadership & Service, Student Affairs.

Sarah’s research interests include; co-teaching in clinical practice, the first-year teacher experience, clinical supervisor feedback, and most recently measuring the impact of community service programs on undergraduate student experience and sense of belonging.

Through her work with College Corps, Sarah enjoys supporting students as they engage in service opportunities that strengthen communities and make a meaningful local impact while fostering personal, academic, and professional growth.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys trail running, hiking and cooking for family and friends.

Ginelle Libby (she/her/hers)

Lead Coordinator

Ginelle joined the College Corps team in November 2025 as the Lead Coordinator. She brings 15 years of experience in K–12 education, most recently as a high school counselor, and previously as a history teacher. She is committed to advancing student success and supporting others, with a passion for service and expanding access to education. Outside of work, she is likely spending time with her partner and two kids, playing with her two dogs, or gardening.

Emily Searson (she/her/hers)

Coordinator

Emily serves as a Coordinator for College Corps, where she supports fellows and Community Host Partners throughout their service journeys. She earned her M.A. in History from Cal Poly and holds B.A. degrees in History and Sociology, along with a minor in Educational Studies, from UC Santa Barbara. She previously worked in student services at Cal Poly and for her hometown's city government, where she gained hands-on experience in student support, program operations, event coordination, and community outreach. Her passion for community engagement began during her 12 years as a Girl Scout and continues to guide her work in fostering student growth and creating meaningful service opportunities. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading and hiking with her dog, Daisy.

Cami Smith (she/her/hers)

Program Analyst

Cami started as the College Corps Coordinator in November 2023, and is now the Program Analyst. She focuses on advocacy and aligning data, budgets, and policy with people's needs and goals. A CSU Monterey Bay graduate with a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City, Cami brings experience in youth mental health care and public health, public policy, and high impact practices research. Outside work, she is probably walking her three dogs, spending time with her partner and family, and cooking. Her goal this year is to volunteer more — inspired directly by College Corps fellows!

Katie Lynch (she/her/hers)

Coordinator

Katie graduated from Cal Poly in 2022 with a degree in Child Development, where she discovered her passion for building connections and fostering community engagement. She thrives in people-focused roles, creating meaningful opportunities that bring individuals together through service and collaboration. Whether supporting students, working with nonprofits, or planning events, she values the impact of shared experiences. Katie loves being outdoors, soaking up the sun, and hammocking in Montaña de Oro. When she's not connecting people to their community, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Reese.

Olivia Hansel (she/her/hers)

Coordinator

After working with College Corps fellows at a nonprofit in San Luis Obispo, Olivia saw the program as a fantastic opportunity to support K–12 and college students in the area. Olivia was excited to be back on campus after graduating from Cal Poly SLO in 2022 with a B.S. in Anthropology and Geography. With a background in outdoor education, Olivia has worked in both San Luis Obispo and Grass Valley in Northern California teaching students about environmental stewardship and agriculture. Olivia loves to build community and be outside — you can find her on the trails in SLO County, trying her hardest to learn to surf, and enjoying tasty food with her friends!

Miranda Beal (she/her/hers)

Administrative Analyst

Miranda Beal is the Administrative Analyst for AmeriCorps Programs. A Central Coast native from Santa Maria, she earned her degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She began her career in San Luis Obispo with the Cal Poly AmeriCorps VIP team, serving with One Cool Earth for two years before becoming the Community Engagement Coordinator. With experience in nonprofit administration, event coordination, and program operations, Miranda is excited to support AmeriCorps from the other side — helping to keep both the VIP and College Corps programs running smoothly and effectively. She also holds a leadership role as a board member for the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo. In her free time, she loves hiking, thrifting, and spending time with friends and family.

Macy MacDiarmid (she/her/hers)

Student Communications Assistant

Macy is a Graphic Communication student at Cal Poly and serves as the Student Communications Assistant for AmeriCorps. She is passionate about using creativity and thoughtful design to serve her community and support others. In her role, Macy helps keep fellows informed and connected through engaging content and clear communication. Outside of work, she loves hiking local trails, spending time at the beach, and enjoying all that San Luis Obispo has to offer with her friends.

Vanessa Rubio-Magana (she/her/hers)

Student Assistant

Vanessa is a second-year majoring in Architectural Engineering and currently serving as a student assistant. She hopes that in the future she can use what she has learned here to apply it in the real world and design functional spaces for the community. In her role, she supports daily operations by assisting staff, organizing, and managing tasks. Outside of school and work, she enjoys going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and traveling to new places. She loves exploring new environments and experiences. 

Akhila Donthi (she/her/hers)

Student Assistant

Akhila is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly and serves as the student assistant for AmeriCorps. She is passionate about hands-on learning, teamwork, and problem solving. Outside of work, Akhila enjoys exploring new cafes and brunch spots around town, and spending time plane watching by the SLO airport.

Erik Santamaria (he/him/el)

Graduate Assistant

Erik is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Higher Education Counseling & Student Affairs at Cal Poly. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His academic and professional background consists of working closely with first-generation and underrepresented students by providing mentorship, academic guidance, and access to resources. As the graduate assistant, He is excited to continue creating supportive environments that empowers students to succeed both personally and academically while fostering meaningful community engagement. Outside of his role, he likes going to music festivals, trying new food spots, and exploring new places.