Johnathan Roberts helps relaunch Ohio University Chillicothe Student Resource Center

Johnathan Roberts was recently selected as an Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps volunteer for the 2023-2024 academic year at Ohio University Chillicothe.

The AmeriCorps volunteer position at OHIO Chillicothe was made possible through ServeOhio, Ohio’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. For the fifth academic year, ServeOhio selected Ohio Campus Compact (OCC) to sponsor AmeriCorps members at higher education institutions to develop a Student Resource Center (SRC) program.

A junior at OHIO Chillicothe, Roberts followed his interest in law and advocacy to a sociology/pre-law major. He will serve as the Campus Compact AmeriCorps Student Resource Coordinator (SRC) for the coming year as it re-launches in a new space on the first floor of Bennett Hall.

“I’m thrilled to have Johnathan serving as our new SRC AmeriCorps Member,” said Ashlee Tatman, OHIO Chillicothe director of Student Services. “Johnathan is passionate about what the Student Resource Center stands for and its ability to uplift our students and take away some of the pressure of meeting certain needs so they can focus on succeeding academically. I’m especially excited that the Student Resource Center is moving to the first floor of Bennett Hall. The location is more visible and accessible, and we hope to see an increase in visitors.”

In his new role, Roberts will support the development and growth of OHIO Chillicothe’s Student Resource Center, which is designed to support campuses in identifying and providing much-needed resources to students who experience barriers to their academic success.

"The Student Resource Center is a great way to help make a difference for my fellow students and take an active role in impacting the community for the better,” he said. “I'm an advocate for the idea of being the person you needed when you were younger. The opportunities and knowledge I'm gaining along the way with AmeriCorps are just an added bonus to the whole experience."

Roberts moved to Chillicothe from Vero Beach, Florida in 2019 and though he still considers himself a newcomer, his passion for community engagement has led him to the role as an AmeriCorps member and coordinator of the SRC at OHIO Chillicothe.

"I really fell in love with Chillicothe and wanted to stay in the area,” Roberts said. “I became active in the community and helped behind the scenes with many of the downtown events. I felt a major in sociology would help me to take on larger roles in helping my community long-term.”

He is eager to help connect his fellow students with the resources they need to succeed outside the classroom.

“I'm looking forward to getting to know more of my fellow Bobcats,” Roberts said. “Since I enrolled at OHIO in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown, I really missed out on making connections and interacting with classmates. I hope to bring a stronger sense of togetherness, and I'm really excited to get to know people."

All students are invited to visit the Center in Bennett Hall 129 to access resources including food, clothing, school supplies and more.

“OHIO Chillicothe’s SRC can help students with anything from food insecurity, locating transportation, finding housing and medical care, in addition to connecting to resources for substance abuse, counseling and tutoring,” said Tatman. “The SRC is a central hub to connect students to University, campus, federal and community resources.”

The OHIO Chillicothe Student Resource Center is open Monday-Friday. Find hours and more information about the Student Resource Center at ohio.edu/chillicothe/student-resource-center or email at ouc-resourcecenter@ohio.edu.