“The most valuable part of the PULSE experience is the program’s commitment to the city. They take the time to connect us with our neighbors and introduce us to different parts of the city within an historical context.” – Kaleigh Herron
Kaleigh Herron grew up in Croton-on-Hudson, New York and attended Juniata College where she earned a B.S. in Environmental Economics and a minor in Spanish. At Juniata, she devoted much of her time to campus service working as a Peer Tutor for calculus and Wildlife Management students. She worked as an Intern with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection where she conducted a ten-year resampling project to track changes in wetland plants in the West of Hudson watershed. She also volunteered extensively with Juniata’s Student Alumni Association. In her free time, Kaleigh enjoys music and dance. She is a part of the East End cohort, and is serving at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh.
Noble Smith: What has been the most valuable part of the PULSE experience so far?
Kaleigh Herron: The most valuable part of the PULSE experience is the program’s commitment to the city. They take the time to connect us with our neighbors and introduce us to different parts of the city within an historical context.
Noble: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Kaleigh: I am learning how to be a leader and how to see myself as a leader. My view of leadership is changing and I am learning more about different leadership styles.
Noble: What have you enjoyed most about living in community?
Kaleigh: I have enjoyed seeing the willingness of people to work together, especially when we are constantly exposed to sources that say otherwise.
Noble: Describe a typical day at your nonprofit partnership.
Kaleigh: The main duties that I have are at the office, restore, and on the construction builds. As a Volunteer Coordinator, I schedule group builds and enter reports on who is volunteering. At restore, I mentor a high school student, as well as lead the new volunteer orientation. On construction builds, I meet volunteer groups, take pictures of the site, and participate in construction.
Noble: What is the most interesting/fun adventure you’ve had in Pittsburgh so far?
Kaleigh: The most fun adventure I’ve had in Pittsburgh so far was going to PNC Park for the first time. My partnership gave me tickets to a Pirates game and multiple PULSErs came. I momentarily lost the tickets, but everything worked out. We had a great time and the Pirates won!
Story by PULSE Participant Noble Smith.
Read more Participant Stories from Fellows about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: