Meet the Interns

Meet the 2015-2016 Interns

Meghan Barrett

Hi all – I’m a junior Biology-Creative Writing double major, with an Honors (Edgar Fellows) minor! I am currently working with the amazing Office of Sustainability team on getting our website, and this blog, up and running by serving as our web intern.  I am so incredibly excited to be working with so many people who are passionate about the environment, and about helping Geneseo work on being more sustainable. I am currently New Member Educator for Alpha Delta Epsilon sorority; I also do research on the ants in our arboretum with the Apple Lab and am stage-managing the show Dogfight, which goes up in April! I enjoy reading, writing, hiking, camping, crocheting, rock-climbing, singing, working on antique cars, and watching anime in my spare time and, now, working for the Office of Sustainability!

Sarah Kowalski

I'm Sarah Kowalski and I am a junior Geography Major, minoring in Anthropology and Environmental Studies. I've always enjoyed taking walks and exploring my surroundings. Becoming an intern at the Office of Sustainability has become a great way for me to better understand my environment and the efforts going on to maintain it. In my free time I like to draw, craft, play guitar, as well as participate in the Geneseo Environmental Organization and Nature Walk Club on campus.  My project involves creating an interactive map of the trees on campus, and I hope that it can be used to plan future tree plantings, as well as to educate the community about their surroundings.

Victoria Roberts

I'm a junior Geography major with Psychology and Environmental studies minors. Outside of working for the Office of Sustainability, I am also a part of GEO and FORCES. I'm currently working on an interactive digital tree map of the SUNY Geneseo campus. I decided to intern with the Office of Sustainability because I find working with environmental issues fascinating. I think that the environmental field has always been a key sector in understanding how the world works, especially now that we are starting to understand the many issues we are facing now and will continue to face in the future. I am very excited to continue to work with the Office in upcoming years because I feel it is not only interesting work but has a real purpose in helping the planet we all share.

Joshua Murphy (Fall 2015 Only)

Hey all! My name is Joshua Murphy, I’m a senior psychology student here at SUNY Geneseo. I have long been interested in how we can address the degradation of both our climate and social fabric, both of which I believe are integral to sustainability. Before becoming a Knight a few semesters ago, I participated in two gap-year programs (Leap Year and Lagom Landing) that allowed me to engage closely with sustainability issues both domestically and abroad. I am very curious and passionate about how individuals, businesses, and systems can respond to the challenges of the 21st century. As a Sustainability Intern I have the pleasure of stimulating the education and activation our community to keep Geneseo at the forefront of creating a better world for our planet and societies, what fun!




Joanna Ostroot (Fall 2015 Only)


Hey everyone! I'm a senior psychology major with minors in environmental studies and sociology. Throughout my time at Geneseo I have become passionate about environmental issues, sustainability, and their interactions with social and human rights issues. It has been awesome to work on campus sustainability projects as an Office intern! I will soon be graduating and plan to carry on the mission of helping to create a sustainable society and working towards environmental justice. At Geneseo I have also been involved in psychology research, the Geneseo Environmental Organization, orchestra, clarinet choir, EcoHouse hall council, and the Shakti cultural club.

Forest Swaciak

Hello! I’m Forest Swaciak and I am a sophomore Geography Major with an Environmental Studies minor. I have always been interested in nature and environmental conservation my entire life. I have always been interested in everything about nature and I grew up in a house surrounded by the forest so the environment has been integrated into my life since I was young. I am an employee at Allegany State Park as trail crew and I plan on continuing my studies and hopefully go on to be a Conservation Officer or work for a national park. I am also secretary for the Quidditch team and it is one of my favorite on-campus activities. I also enjoy running, biking and hiking around the beautiful countryside surrounding the school.  I am excited to start my internship with the Office of Sustainability at Geneseo and hopefully I can help make a difference on this campus!

Malcolm Simpson





Malcolm Martin Simpson studies Geography and International Relations at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He will graduate in the spring of 2016 and hopes to peruse a career in GIS with a focus on sustainable infrastructure and urban planning; particularly in regards to the effects climate change.