Peace Corps Connect Scholarship Recipients Went Live!
Read Here to Learn More About the Recipients!
By Hayden Johnson (NPCA Communications Intern)
Missed our last Instagram Live with RPCVs and NPCA staff? Watch it HERE.
Watch @nikkibanzzzzz (Nicole Banister, NPCA’s Peace Corps Connect Emcee and international superstar host) as she went live with five guests to talk all things Peace Corps.
This live was particularly special as Nicole went live with NPCA’s four Peace Corps Connect scholarship recipients.
NPCA created these scholarships to focus on giving opportunities to voices heard less often in the community. NPCA was searching for younger RPCVs, in order to achieve a diverse blend of experiences, situations, and voices. These four recipients represent the new generation of Peace Corps, stepping back and stepping forward.
Get ready for a lively conversation spanning the past decade of Peace Corps service. They dove into stories about preparing for service, returning home, and what has them most excited for this year’s Peace Corps Connect Conference in Washington, D.C.
It’s your chance to connect, get inspired, and hear firsthand what the journey of service is all about—past, present, and future.
Learn more about Nicole and her guests:
Nicole Banister
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, South Africa (2013—2016)
Nicole Banister is an award-winning TV show host, presenter, and international changemaker. She is the host of the celebrity interview series NIKKI BANZ LIVE with 100 guests from 35 countries, and the first 3 seasons of Start It Up–the YouTube series boasting 16M views and showcasing one of the world’s most prestigious social entrepreneurship competitions. Nicole has emceed in-person in 28 different countries; moderated virtual events for 25,000 people online; and is a sought-after facilitator for corporate social responsibility events at high-profile companies like JPMorganChase, IBM, TikTok, Ford, and more.
Nicole served as a School and Community Resources Project Volunteer in Limpopo, South Africa from 2013-2015, with a third year extension of her service in Cape Town from 2015-2016. She is a Board Member for the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience (MPCE), founding member of the Friends of South (FSA) Africa RPCV Community, and recipient of the Peace Corps’ Franklin H. Williams Emerging Leader Award. Nicole is also a State Department Community Engagement Exchange Mentor, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Fellow, and a Georgetown University Hoya. With expertise in strategic global partnerships and creative diplomacy, Nicole is passionate about leveraging media to amplify the voices of the world’s most dynamic changemakers by unapologetically speaking her own truth and holding space for others to do the same.
Daniela Escontrela
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Philippines (2016—2018)
Scholarship Recipient
Daniela joined the Peace Corps as a way to give back, not only to her own country, but also to communities abroad. With a background in marine biology, she saw an opportunity to apply her training to support local efforts in natural resource management. Just as important, the Peace Corps offered a chance for meaningful cultural exchange and mutual learning. Daniela was not just motivated by what she could contribute, she was also drawn to what she could learn. She wanted to understand how to lead resource management efforts in a way that was grounded in people, community, and shared trust.
Daniela wanted to ensure the projects she helped implement were guided by local voices and could have impact well beyond my time in service. To that end, she organized a Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment training and implementation activity. Daniela brought together local resource management agencies and a nearby university to help lead a training for fisherfolk and community leaders. The training covered how to conduct focus group discussions, fisherfolk interviews, and habitat assessments. Together, they implemented these activities across 27 coastal barangays [community subdivisions]. What stood out most was the enthusiasm participants showed, not just for learning how to monitor their own resources, but for protecting those resources for future generations. Their energy and commitment were incredibly inspiring for Daniela. This experience also deepened her understanding of the complex challenges communities face in balancing daily subsistence with long-term resource protection.
With the dismantling of key government programs that build global capacity, Daniela is especially looking forward to the Day on the Hill. She is excited to engage with lawmakers and talk story about the impact Peace Corps service has had, not just on communities abroad, but on individuals as Returned Volunteers. Daniela believe deeply in the mission of the Peace Corps, not only as a way to help meet the global need for skilled professionals, but also as a powerful force for building cross-cultural understanding. Daniela believes it is more important than ever to protect and invest in that mission.
Erik Carlson
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Albania (2017—2019)
Scholarship Recipient
Kathryn Lamana
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Republic of Georgia (2019—2020)
Scholarship Recipient
Kathryn began working with the Peace Corps to get to know her history, roots, and culture, whilst simultaneously being able to give back to her community. She chose to serve in the Republic of Georgia, which is Kathryn’s home country, from which she was adopted in the early 1990s. The Peace Corps inspired her to work towards something greater than herself, advocate for marginalized communities, and begin her career in humanitarian work. It shaped so much of who she am, and Kathryn even returned to Georgia to conduct her Master’s Dissertation about IDP women from the Abkhazian War. Although this project and research she conducted was not during her PC service, it is still somehow connected, because if Kathryn never served in the Peace Corps she may have never connected with her identity and culture at such a deep level. Kathryn holds a Bachelors in Photography and a Masters in International Peace, Conflict and Development. She has a huge interest in storytelling and war/conflict documentation. Since returning to her roots through PC service, Kathryn has begun identifying herself more as Georgian and now proudly introduces herself as Georgian-American. She is currently working in Seattle at the Department of Social and Health Services, working with Immigrant, Refugee, and Asylee populations. Kathryn also volunteers as a Social Media Manager running the Instagram account for Peace Corps Community for Refugees. At Peace Corps Connect, Kathryn hopes to network and make connections with others who are working and conducting research in the areas of diplomacy, conflict, and international development. Her goals are to eventually become an Foreign Service Officer or work in emergency preparedness.
Campbell Martin
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, The Gambia (2022—2024)
Scholarship Recipient
Campbell went into the Peace Corps because he wanted to learn what true service meant. One project that he didn’t expect to be impactful was his YouTube channel. He would try and upload a video or two every time he had access to WiFi. Campbell thought it would be a great way to give his friends and family a more personal look into service. What he didn’t expect was who ELSE would watch the videos. For example, Campbell had RPCVs from Cameroon who came to Gambia on vacation who visited his village because they saw his videos. Furthermore, after NPCA saw his videos, Campbell had the opportunity to do some collaborations with them.
Campbell is most looking forward to meeting people that served pre-pandemic. Being the first cohort back in Gambia since COVID, he felt disconnected from previous generations of volunteers. Campbell can’t wait to make friends and swap stories with returned volunteers from all walks of life.
And last, but certainly not least, representing NPCA on this IG Live is…
Michael Roman
NPCA Board Member, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Kiribati (2000—2002)
Mike is a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Kiribati, AmeriCorps VISTA (Central College, Pella, IA), and Fulbright Fellow (Waikato University, New Zealand), a dedicated global advocate, storyteller, and academic leader. He is also the co-creator of Humans of Kiribati, a robust social media platform amplifying the voices of frontline climate communities.
In 2014, Mike earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, a milestone that reflects his commitment to addressing the human dimensions of climate change. For over 24 years, he has been a force for change, collaborating with governments, international media, non-profits, and citizens across the globe to elevate global consciousness about the climate crisis. His work sheds light on the urgent realities faced by climate-impacted communities, particularly those in Kiribati, a place that holds a special place in his heart.
Mike’s influence extends to the policy arena, where he partners with congressional representatives to shape and pass climate-related legislation. His advocacy has driven action in collaboration with key organizations such as the National Peace Corps Association, Climate Reality, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. As a member of the National Peace Corps Association’s Board of Directors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer community, focusing on advancing opportunities for underrepresented groups and recently returned volunteers.
Academically, Mike integrates his passion for global issues into his teaching and mentorship. He has delivered thought-provoking lectures, TEDx talks, and keynotes worldwide, captivating audiences with stories of courage, displacement, and environmental justice. This endeavor reflects his deep belief in the power of storytelling to inspire social change.
Whether in the classroom, on stage, or in congressional chambers, Mike Roman’s work is driven by a love for humanity and a profound respect for Kiribati and its people. He shapes a more just and sustainable world through storytelling, advocacy, and leadership—one voice, partnership, and policy at a time.
Get ready for a lively conversation spanning the past decade of Peace Corps service. Explore everything Peace Corps Connect 2025 has to offer HERE.