VISIONS has been a part of Maya Mastin’s life since she was born. Growing up with Marvin Mastin—a former VISIONS director—as her dad, Maya always knew she wanted to be part of the VISIONS community. She participated in two middle school programs: one to the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and another to the British Virgin Islands. She continued to travel through high school and joined the Peru program before her junior year.

VISIONS sparked an early interest in international travel and service, which led Maya to take a gap year in Chile after high school, where she was immersed in the culture and language. Upon returning home, she attended Northern Arizona University, where she enjoyed spending time outdoors—backpacking, climbing, running, and skiing. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in Hospitality Management.

A few years later, Maya reconnected with VISIONS, excited to finally be old enough to serve as a leader. She led programs in Cotuí, Dominican Republic, during the summers of 2023 and 2024. It was there that she further developed her passion for photography and documenting stories through media. Her love for film and photography deepened alongside her connection to the vibrant Cotuí community.

Maya has since earned her master’s degree in Food Studies from New York University. Beyond exploring the diverse food offerings of New York City, she has created projects that highlight the intersection of food and culture through film photography, print, and digital media.

As VISIONS Social Media Coordinator, Maya captures and shares the spirit of our programs through photos, videos, and engaging storytelling. She manages all of VISIONS social media platforms and leads our content strategy, community engagement, and visual media efforts.