Service, Adventure, Knowledge and the Environment

Click on each student's name to read about the student's Peace Corps assignment. Each student's thesis is available in PDF format on their page. Some student pages have quite a few images and may take a while to load if you have a slow connection.

1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005
|2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Other

Incoming Class of 2009

• Brian Barbre
  Historic Preservation major, U. of Mary Washington
  
• Ruth Bennett
  Biological Sciences major, Non-western History minor, Pacific Lutheran University
• Christine Jones
  Biological Sciences major, Art minor, Augustana College
• Jonathan Malette
  Business Administration major, Michigan Technological University
• Katie Preston
  Chemistry major, U. of Michigan
• Mary Snyder
  Zoology major, Chemistry minor, Northern Michigan University
  

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Incoming Class of 2008

• Kyle Earnshaw In Honduras
  English major, Grove City College
• Peggy Fox Heading for Ecuador in February
  International Studies major, Environmental Studies minor, Boston College
  
• Paul Francis Tanzania
  Advertising major, Michigan State University
  
• Joshua Mann
  Religion major, Spring Arbor College
  
• Brian Pattullo Paraguay
  Forest Science major, Michigan State University
  

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Incoming Class of 2007

• Evan Anderson, El Salvador
  Forest Resource Management major, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
• Callie Bertsch,  Bulgaria
  Biology major, John Brown University
• Jonathan D. Carlson, Tanzania
  Environmental Studies major/Geology major, Geography minor, Gustavus Adolphus College
• Michelle Cisz,  Paraguay
  Biological Sciences major, Ohio University
  

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Incoming Class of 2006

• Kristina Denison, Zambia
  Psychology major, Gustavus Adolphus College

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Incoming Class of 2005

• Patricia Butler, Armenia
  Fisheries and Wildlife major, Michigan State University
  Thesis: Composition of Solid Waste in the Berd Municipal Dump in Tavush Marz, Armenia.
  First Job: Sustainable Forestry, Little Traverse Conservancy.. Current Job: Research Scientist, Adaptive Carbon Management, Northern Institute of Applied Carbon Science.
  
  
• Noah Daniels, Panama
  Geology major, Bucknell University; Masters of Geology, University of Colorado
  Thesis: Variations in Coffee Processing and their Impact on Quality and Consistency
  First Job: Member of Black Hills Fire Use Module, National Park Service.
  
  
• Gisselle Mejia, El Salvador
  Political Science major, Case Western Reserve University
  Thesis: Understanding Farmers' Motivations for Forest Management and Their Perceptionof Forest Management Plans in Los Planes de la Palma, El Salvador
  
  
• Jason Rhoades, Armenia
  Music emphasis, Goddard College
  First Job: Park Educator, Vermont State Parks / Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
  Thesis: Impacts of Deforestation and Land Cover Change on Mountain Soils in Hrazdan, Armenica
  

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Incoming Class of 2004

• Bryan Roosien, Vanuatu
  Math major, Northern Michigan University
  Thesis: Plant communities associated with native Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) forests.
  Currently: PhD candidate, Washington State University
  
  
• Casey (Rosengarden) Jogerst, Panama
  Biology major, University of Iowa
  First Job: Urban Forester, New York City
  Thesis: Land Management Strategies and Fuelwood Collection in the Indigenous Ngabe Village of Hato Horcon, Comarca Ngabe-Bugle, Panama
  

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Incoming Class of 2003

• Amber Kenny, Togo
  Environmental Anthropology major, University of Michigan
  Thesis (Amber's thesis was a Michigan Tech finalist in the competition for Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Distinguished Thesis Award.): Optimal Land Allocation of Maize, Cassava, and Teak for Small Landholders in Southern Togo, West Africa
  First Job: Capacity Building and Development Office of the Foreign Agriculture Service working in Afghanistan and the MIddle East. Currently: Urban Forester, Washington DC.
  
  
• Brian Satterlee, Cameroon
  Business Administration major, Wayne State University
  Thesis: Maize Yield and Soil Property Response to Entada Abyssinica Cuttings in the Adamawa Lowlands, Cameroon
  First Job: Urban Forester with ACRT , working in the greater Boston area. Currently: Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator for the Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council.
  

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Incoming Class of 2002

• Jason Anderson, Honduras
  Biology major, LeTourneau University
  Thesis: Thimbleberry Jam Production in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, Michigan.
  First job: Production Manager, Robinson Lumber, Honduras. Then: Forester, Chestnut Ridge Forestry. Currently: US Customs Service employee.
  
  
• Panchita Paulete, Gambia
  English Major, Communications Minor, Elon University.
  Thesis: The Gambia All Schools Tree Nursery Competition: Promoting Conservation in the Gambia through Grassroots Environmental Education .
  First job: NEPA Intern, USDA Forest Service, Ottawa National Forest, Watersmeet, MI.; April 2009: NEPA planner, Silver Lake and Paisley Ranger Districts, Fremont - Winema National Forests, Oregon.
  
  
• Olaf Zerbock, Honduras
  Biology major, Chemistry minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  Thesis: Land Use and Water Quality in El Corpus, Choluteca, Honduras.
  First job: Project Adminstrator, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Washington DC. Currently: Employed by Conservation International

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Incoming Class of 2001

• Marge Ely, Nepal
  Mathematics major, Business and Women's Studies minors, State University of New York at Albany
  Thesis: Analysis of Renewable Energy Project Implementation: Biogas and Improved Cookstoves in the Village of Chhaling, Bhaktapur District, Nepal and several appendices are in a separate pdf file.
  First Job: Street Trees Planting Forester, New York City. Current Job: Manhattan Borough Forester, New York City
  
  
• Greer Gurganus, Togo
  Earth Science major, Eastern Michigan University
  Thesis: A Study of the Farming System and Technology Adoption in Yade-Bohou, Togo
  First Job: Working at the Prevention Resource Center in Helena, Montana, Then: in Darjeeling,India at the Manjushree Institute for Tibetan Language with time on either side of this working with hotels and cruise ships; Currently: IKEA - Designer / Planner.
• Kate Lincoln Povel, Panama
  Horticulture major with a focus in Landscape Design, University of Nebraska
  Thesis: The Use and Potential of the Pita Plant, Aechmea magdalenae, (Andre) Andre ex. Bake, in a Ngobe Village: A Case Study of Chalite, Bocas del Toro, Panama
  First Job: Forest Nursery Technician for the J.E. Schoeder Seed Orchard with the Oregon Department of Forestry. Primary job responsibility: preserve genetic diversity in seed crops of doug fir, western hemlock and ponderosa pine. (Kate at work) Starting March 2006: Research Specialist II- Model Farm Manager, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. August 2007: Director of Farm Operations, Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute. 2009: Urban and Community Forester for the US Virgin Islands.
  
  
• Russell Slatton Povel, Panama
  Geography major with focus in planning, Environmental Studies minor, Certificate in Geographic Information System Technology, California State University at Chico
  Thesis: An Evaluation of Agricultural Adoption by Ngobe Farmers in Chalite, Panama
  First Job: Field Access Specialist, The Nature Conservancy, Oregon. Next: Planning Assistant for Washington County, Oregon. Currently private environmental consultant, US Virgin Islands.
  
  
• Daniella Zanin, Panama
  Anthropology major, Women's Studies minor, University of Illinois - Chicago
  First job: Grades 4 - 8 Environmental Science teacher, Chicago. Then Job: Project Manager, Bronx Forest Restoration, Natural Resources Group, NYC Parks. Current Job: Deputy Directory of New York City's GreenApple Corps.
  Thesis: Feasibility of Teak Production for Smallholders in eastern Panama.
  

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Incoming Class of 2000

• Kara Filius, Ukraine
  Music Theory and Composition major, Central Michigan University
  Thesis: 100% Inventory Methods for Urban Parks in Khimelnitsky, Ukraine and Appendix F is a separate pdf file.
  First Job: Forestry Technician - USDA Forest Service, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Next Job: Head District Timber Marker, Huron-Manistee National Forest, USDA Forest Service. Current Job: Prep / Admin Forester for the Northern Hills Ranger District, Black Hills NF.
  
  
• Jennifer Papillo, Paraguay
  Geography Major, University of Delaware
  Coursework Option
  First Job: Environmental Educator and Field Studies Coordinator at the Ashland Nature Center of the Delaware Nature Society. Currently Environmental Educator, White Clay Creek State Park, Delaware, Program Coordinator for Cultural and Historical Interpretation at the Judge Morris Estate, Delaware State Parks
  

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Incoming Class of 1999

• Frank Aragona, Bolivia
  University Studies major, University of New Mexico
  Thesis: A Case Study of Onion Production in the Tipajara Watershed, Mizque, Bolivia
  First Job: Project Director for Agricultural Innovations, Inc.
  
  
• Michael Downs, Morocco
  Geography major, University of Kentucky
  Thesis: Hearth Fuel Acquisition and Use in Morocco's Imnane Valley 
  First Job: Naturalist for the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on the Kentucky River. Anna and Michael became the parents of twins in the Fall of 2004.
  
  
• Andrea Durham, Ecuador
  Liberal Studies major, University of California
  Thesis: Social Network Analysis of Women, Resources, and Community in Angla, Ecuador
  First Job: Forester with the USDA Forest Service on the Kenton Ranger District, Ottawa National Forest, Michigan. Then: Education Program Assistant with the Benton County 4-H Extension Office, Corvallis OR; Currently: Recreation Planner / Wilderness Coordinator, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot NF, Randle WA.
  
  
• Matt Judd, Gambia
  Mathematics major, Computer Science Concentration, St. Olaf College
  Thesis: Introduction and Management of Neem (Azadirachta indica) in the Smallholder's Farm Fields in Baddibu Districts of The Gambia, West Africa
  First Job: NEPA Services Group (formerly the USDA Forest Service Content Analysis Team) in Salt Lake City.
  
  
• Sara Keinath, Nepal
  Biology major, Alma College
  Thesis: Environmental Education and Perceptions in Eastern Nepal: Analysis of Student Drawings with the posters in the appendix in a separate set of pdf files.
  First Job: firefighter with Inyo National Forest in California. Currently: 4H Youth Educator, Wexford Co., MI
  
  
• Kristina Owens, Bolivia
  Spanish major, SUNY - Geneseo
  Thesis: Genetic Diversity of Annona cherimola Mill in South Central Bolivia
  First Job: Biological Laboratory Science Technician (Molecular Biology),USDA-ARS Fruit Lab, Beltsville, Maryland. Currently: Plant Biologist-Support Scientist, National Plant Germplasm and Biotechnology Laboratory
  
  
• Wendy Owens, Paraguay
  Environmental and Forest Biology major, SUNY/CESF-Syracuse
  Thesis: Riparian Buffer Zones of the Ybytyruzu Mountain Range, Paraguay
  Current Job: Adjunct Professor of Biology at Prince George's Community College Adjunct Professor of Biology at Anne Arundel Community College and Merchandise Supervisor at Borders Books
  

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Incoming Class of 1998

• Matt Cohen, Bolivia
  Wildlife Biology major, University of California-Davis
  Thesis: Utilizing Microcatchment Systems to Increase Tree Establishment Rates in the Bolivian High Plains
  First Job: Summer of 1999 working for Glenn Lukos Associates in wetlands analysis and deliniation. Glenn Lukos is an RPCV from the Dominican Republic in the late 60s. Law School at UC-Davis. Summer 2003: legal intern working on environmental and human rights issues in India. Currently: Associate Attorney with Richards, Watson & Gershon, working in environmental law
  
  
• Susan Fox, Bolivia
  Biology major, University of Texas
  Thesis: Analysis of Ecotourism: The Municipal Reserve "Curichi Cuajo", Buena Vista, Bolivia
  First Job: Forester with the USDA Forest Service in Mio, Michigan.  Currently: Co-owner of Metcalfe Forestry in Grayling, Michigan.
  
  
• Mike Jones, Honduras
  Biology major, Albion College
  Thesis: Evaluation of Honduran Forestry Cooperatives: Five Case Studies
  First Job: Employed by CHP International in Honduras. 2004, Married and back in Honduras. Currently owner of Mike's Bikes in La Cieba
  
  
• Margaret Shao, Ghana
  Biology major, San Francisco State University
  Thesis: Parkia biglobosa: Changes in Resource Allocation in Kandiga, Ghana
  First Job: Content Analysis Team, USDA Forest Service. Then, Community Forestry Coordinator for the State of Utah. Currently: Forestry Extension Agent, Utah State University.
  

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Incoming Class of 1997

• Josh Amend, Tanzania
  American Studies major, Carleton College
  First job: Worked for North Wind Environmental in Wyoming after graduation, then Technical Forestry Services in Greybull, Wyoming. Currently: Extension Forester, Division of Forestry in Florida
  Thesis: Risk and Coffee Production in Mhaji, Tanzania
  
  
• Willy Heist, Ghana
  Exercise/Health Science major, Psychology minor, Alma College
  Thesis: Community Tree Nurseries in Ghana, West Africa: A Case Study of the Collaborative Community Forestry Initiative (CCFI)
  First Job: Content Analysis Team of the Forest Service in Salt Lake City. Then employed by DCgreenworks in the Washington DC area. Certified arborist as of March 2004. After that, a tree care consultant with The Care of Trees. Currently an urban forester for the District of Columbia
  
  
• Alec Jarvis, Paraguay
  Botany major, Miami University, Ohio
  Thesis: Paraguayan Tung (Aleurites fordii Hemsl.): An Important Small Farmer Crop Diversification Strategy
  First Job: Fall of 2001 working in El Salvador with the Crisis Corps, a part of Peace Corps. Non-timber asset operations assistant for Hancock Land. Currently: Regional Land Manager, UPC Wind Management, LLC, Portland ME.
  
  
• Lynne Kraskouskas, Gabon
  Geology major, Bryn Mawr College
  Coursework option.
  First Job: Living proof that one can never have enough education, has completed a nursing degree. Now a nurse in Massachusetts.
  
  
• Kristen Rahn Thrall, Paraguay
  Visual Arts major, Albion College
  Thesis: Cultural Assessment of Reforestation Practices in Rural Eastern Paraguay
  First Job: Content Analysis Team, USDA Forest Service in Missoula Montana.  Currently part of the USDA Forest Service Recreational Solutions enterprise management team as a recreation forester in Troy, Montana.
  

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Incoming Class of 1996

• Dan Bergert, Ghana
  Philosophy major, Northland College,
  Thesis - Management Strategies for Elaeis Guineensis (Oil Palm) in Response to Localized Markets in Southeastern Ghana, West Africa. 
  First job: A hard man to keep track of. After working in South Korea (early 2003) was kayaking in Thailand. Currently a vessel agent in Unalaska (the Aleutian Islands), Alaska.
  
  
• Andrew Brower, Honduras
  English major, Albion College, including time with Hurricane Mitch.
  Thesis - Honduras: An Ethnographic Study of El Armado National Wildlife Refuge and Guayape, Olancho. 
  First Job: Director of Human Resources at Butterball Farms, Inc. in Grand Rapids. "it's because i speak spanish and i've always done better taking care of other people rather than myself. good or bad?!?" Currently founder and director of The Source, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Source is a community resource and employment training center. The Source works primarily in workforce development and creating opportunities for lower-income employees.  Andrew and the Governor.
  
  
• Jeff Ploetz, Bulgaria
  Biology major, Michigan Tech University,
  Thesis: Implementation and Effectiveness of a Traveling Nature Display for Environmental Education in Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria. 
  Prior: Natural Resources Management Specialist, DevTech Systems, Inc., Washington D.C.
  Currently: Environmental Project Manager, The Cloudburst Group, Landover MD
  
  
• Kerry Ploetz, Bulgaria
  Biology major, Michigan Tech University
  Thesis: An Ethnobotanical Survey of Wild Herb Use in Bulgaria. 
  First Job: Teaching 4th and 5th Grade at Burgundy Farm Country Day School.
  Currently: Math Tutor
  
  
• Katrina Schnobrich, Paraguay
  Forestry major, Michigan Tech University,
  Thesis: An Ethnographic Study of Tree-Planting Successes and Failures by Small Farmers in Paraguay.
  Currently Urban Forester with FirstEnergy.

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Other MTU Peace Corps Volunteers

• Amy Collick, Madagascar
• Dave and Nancy Canavera, Brazil
• Dan Malueg, Nepal
• Mike Tighe, Paraguay
• Tom Brayak, India
• Michelle Laskowski, El Salvador
• Eric Wergeland, China
• Patti Burns, Cameroon
• Aidan Gullickson, Cameroon
• Mark Holden,
• Greg Mullen, Lesotho
• Jonathon D. Colman, Burkina Faso
• Marla Rader, Ecuador
• Blair Orr, Lesotho

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