Maya Mastin

Social Media Coordinator

Maya Mastin, VISIONS Dominican Republic Program Director, stands at a cinder block construction site in sunglasses and gloves, smiling and giving two thumbs up as building tools and rubble surround her.

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.

Recent blog posts

Spotlight: Grace Hamill, VISIONS Alumni

Spotlight: Grace Hamill, VISIONS Alumni

Grace Hamill spent two weeks in the Dominican Republic with VISIONS—no phone, new friends, and an experience she calls one of the best of her life. Now she’s headed to Peru.

Spotlight: Maya Sullivan, VISIONS Alumni

Spotlight: Maya Sullivan, VISIONS Alumni

Maya Sullivan joined VISIONS Peru in 2024—and kept coming back. Here’s why she’s returning for a third summer and what keeps drawing her to the program.

Student Launches Endangered Language Initiative

Student Launches Endangered Language Initiative

After two summers on the Montana Blackfeet Reservation, a VISIONS alum launched a global initiative to preserve endangered languages and cultural identity through interviews, research, and collaboration.