Common Waters WVU VISTA

The Common Waters VISTA will support a growing environmental initiative at West Virginia University that connects students with rural watershed groups across the state. By strengthening the capacity of the Common Waters Collaborative, the VISTA will help improve water quality in underserved communities while expanding meaningful engagement opportunities for WVU students. The VISTA will enhance program infrastructure by evaluating current participation, interviewing stakeholders, and researching similar initiatives at WVU and other universities. Using these insights, they will develop a streamlined matching system that pairs students with watershed projects and build clear connection points between participants and the WV Water Research Institute. The VISTA will also design evaluation tools to ensure ongoing quality and effectiveness. To expand the program’s reach, the VISTA will identify courses, clubs, and academic programs aligned with watershed issues. They will assess community needs, compile available project opportunities, and facilitate communication among students, faculty, watershed groups, and WVWRI staff, helping create sustainable partnerships that support both community goals and student learning. The VISTA will also strengthen student retention and long-term involvement by coordinating a student symposium, developing pre- and post-program surveys, and identifying incentives such as awards and professional development opportunities. They will create guides that encourage continued engagement and highlight student accomplishments through the Common Waters website, social media, and WVU press. Through this work, the VISTA will help build a sustainable, high-impact program that empowers students and supports environmental stewardship across West Virginia