Zainab Jamal chosen as NSR Sustainability VISTA through Oct. 2024

Posted on by Alyse Horn

New Sun Rising is happy to announce that Zainab Jamal will serve as the Sustainability VISTA for the organization through October 2024. 

In this role, Zainab has a focus on community engagement and capacity building to advance projects within the Millvale Ecodistrict Collaborative’s plan including equitable food systems, clean energy, watershed management, air quality, mobility, business districts, and housing. 

“I hear about the previous VISTAs with NSR having a visible presence in the community that goes beyond their years, and I would like to have an impact in that way,” Zainab said. “I’m ready to absorb all the knowledge that I can and make this an experience that I can refer back to as my career progresses.” 

Zainab has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida with her eye on a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Previous to her position with NSR, she gained experience in community outreach with the Broader Impacts Group through AmeriCorps to help coordinate the SpectrUM Discovery Area in the Missoula Public Library and EmPower Place at the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center. 

She also engaged with children and teens through hands-on STEAM education within Montana schools on Blackfeet and Flathead Reservations, summer camps, after school clubs, and museum activities. 

“One of the things I’m looking forward to the most about this position is the connections I’ll develop with the community, as they have diverse lived experiences and I can learn so much from them,” Zainab said. 

Want to contact Zainab? Email zainab@newsunrising.org. 

New Sun Rising serves as a subsite for the Americorps VISTA program managed by PCRG (Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group)