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 | 2010 | Other
* * The pages have not been updated, we are in the processing of restructuring the web page.
Incoming Class of 2011
- Fahimeh Baziari,
Biological Sciences major, Michigan State University
- Justin Gelb, heading to Burkina Faso in July
Environmental Biology major, Fort Lewis College
Incoming Class of 2010
- Brook Alloway, in Paraguay
Community Studies major, U. of California - Santa Cruz
- Drew Miller,
Earth Science major, Michigan State University
Incoming Class of 2009
- Brian Barbre, in Ethiopia
Historic Preservation major, U. of Mary Washington
- Ruth Bennett, in Honduras
Biological Sciences major, Non-western History minor, Pacific Lutheran University
- Jonathan Malette in Nicaragua
Business Administration major, Michigan Technological University
- Katie Preston in Tanzania
Chemistry major, U. of Michigan
- Mary Snyder, in Cameroon
Zoology major, Chemistry minor, Northern Michigan University
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Incoming Class of 2008
- Kyle Earnshaw Honduras
English major, Grove City College
Thesis: The effects of soil moisture, field-scale toposequential position, and slope on yields in irrigated upland rice fields in Flores, Comayagua, Honduras.
After Graduation: Ph.D. Candidate, Purdue University.
- Peggy Fox in Ecuador
International Studies major, Environmental Studies minor, Boston College
- Paul Francis Tanzania
Advertising major, Michigan State University
Thesis: Small-scale timber management techniques: A case study of woodlots in Isangati, Tanzania. ( Appendix: Farm System Diagram for Isangati )
First Job: Forester, San Carlos Apache Tribe, San Carlos AZ.
- 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
Thesis: The Impact of Balsamo (Myroxylon balsamum L. Harms) on Coffee Yield and Household Income in El Balsamar, El Salvador.
- Callie Bertsch, Bulgaria
Biology major, John Brown University
Thesis: An Ethnobotanical Survery of the Economic and Cultural Significance of Non-Timber Forest Resources in the Southwest Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria.
First Job: Conservation Technician, Land and Water Conservation Department, Vilas Co. WI. Second Job: Conservation Technician Assistant, Gladstone MI
- Jonathan D. Carlson, Tanzania
Environmental Studies major/Geology major, Geography minor, Gustavus Adolphus College
Thesis: Detection and management of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (Coleoptera: Bupresticae) in low-density populations
Currently: Science Library Master's student, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Michelle Cisz, Paraguay
Biological Sciences major, Ohio University
Thesis: The spatial distribution of Copernicia alba (Morong) in the District of Bahia Negra, Paraguay.
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Incoming Class of 2006
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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: Climate Change Outreach Specialist, Northern Institute of Applied Climate 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.
Current Job: Fuels Crew Supervisor, Lassen Volcanic National Park , Mineral CA.
- 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
First Job: Environmental Specialist with FEMA, Environmental and Historic Preservation Cadre.
Current Job: Assistant Director of Community Development (Washington Heights), City Harvest, New York City.
- 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
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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. Then: Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator for the Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council. Currently: Coastal District Forestry Supervisor, National Grid
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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.; Current Job: 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. Then: Employed by Conservation International; Currently: USAID forestry and biodiversity team working on climate change adn REDD+ issues.
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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. Then: Manhattan Borough Forester, New York City. Current Job: Natural Resources Group, Project Manager of PlaNYC Reforestation, 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. 2012: Executtive Director of Geercrest Farm and Historical Society.
- 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. Recently Environmental Educator, White Clay Creek State Park, Delaware, Program Coordinator for Cultural and Historical Interpretation at the Judge Morris Estate, Delaware State Parks Currently Castleruddery Organic Farm, WestWicklow, Ireland and Natural Areas/Ecotourism Consultant.
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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 Environmental Biology at Prince George's Community College and Adjunct Professor of Biology at Howard Community College
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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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