2026 MAlt Trip Leaders
Economic Justice and Community Health (New York City, NY)
Co-Leader Name: Aparajita Banik ’27
Major: Joint Anthropology & Film and Media Culture
Aparajita’s words: I am thrilled to be leading this trip with my wonderful co-leader Christine! Growing up in NYC, I have always been inspired by the strength and resilience of local communities, and I knew I wanted to give back in a meaningful way. This trip is an opportunity to learn directly from organizations and leaders who are working every day to address economic inequality and support New Yorkers. My hope is that students will come away with a deeper understanding of how communities and government can work together to create lasting change. I am excited to share this experience and to build meaningful connections with our fellow MAlt students! <3
Co-Leader Name: Christine Zhang ’27
Major: Economics
Christine’s words: As an Economics major, I’m excited to explore how the frameworks I study in class connect with real world social issues. On this trip, we’ll be engaging with community partners from different districts, each offering unique perspectives and challenges. I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the economic and social dynamics and witnessing firsthand the ways theory and practice intersect! Excited to be a part of this trip.
Environmental Justice (Los Angeles, CA)
Co-Leader Name: Munira Nurbhai ’28
Major: Double major in Psychology and Biology
Munira’s words: Fave thing about MAlt: As an international student, this MAlt trip is allowing me to break out of our campus bubble and see how environmental issues play out in real communities beyond our college town. There’s something powerful about learning directly from activists and organizations doing the ground-level work that you just can’t get from a textbook
Co-Leader Name: Doreen Ngemera ’28
Major: Double major in Environmental Economics & Statistics
Doreen’s words: Fave thing about MAlt: What I love most about MAlt is how it turns learning into action. It’s one thing to study social and global issues in a classroom, but it’s another to roll up your sleeves alongside peers from across different majors and make a tangible impact. Beyond that, MAlt has this magical way of turning a small group into a tight-knit community that feels like family. The connections and shared experiences are something I’ll always cherish.
Co-Leader Name: Juma Elisama ’28
Juma’s words: Fave thing about MAlt: I love how MALT gives Middlebury students an opportunity to visit other communities away from Midd and contribute to them through service. I am honored to be co-leading the environmental justice trip to LA with my friends Doreen and Munira. We would love to guide a group of students who are passionate about learning from local organisations in LA about sustainability and food insecurity.
Rebuilding for Community Resilience (Saint Petersburg, FL)
Co-Leader Name: Camiel Schroeder ’26.5
Major: Computer Science and Environmental Policy
Camiel’s words: Hi, I’m Camiel. I study Computer Science and Environmental Policy, and I am from the Netherlands, which means I spend half my time thinking about algorithms and the other half wondering why we still build houses in floodplains. I’m convinced that decent design, genuine community, and the occasional ridiculous idea are still humanity’s best shot at improvement. I’ve led service projects, done sustainability research, and will be the group’s unofficial therapist, electrician, and chief of snacks. My main contributions will be keeping us on schedule, ensuring the drill bit stays in the drill, and that we leave with at least as many fingers as we arrived with.
Co-Leader Name: Sam Loescher ’28
Sam’s words: I’m Sam, your co-leader, the designated mix of environmental idealist and logistics realist. I’ve taught kids how to ski without breaking bones, built things that didn’t collapse at Oak Hill Outdoor Center, and worked at a community inn where patience was as essential as the hammer. Along the way, I’ve learned that most group projects succeed not because everything goes smoothly, but because someone quietly handles things when it doesn’t. That is usually me: hauling materials, solving problems, and making sure we walk away with something sturdier than good intentions. What draws me to this trip is exactly that balance: contributing to real community impact while navigating the inevitable unpredictability of service work.
Youth Empowerment and Education (Dominican Republic)
Co-Leader Name: Houda Saliba ’28
Houda’s words: My name is Houda Saliba. I am a sophomore from Lebanon and will be co-leading the Youth Empowerment and Education trip to the DR! I intend to major in International Global Studies and minor in Art History. Some of the issues I care about is the lack of authentic journalism and Human Rights. My favorite thing about MAlt is getting hands-on experience in fields, places, and with people I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.
Co-Leader Name: Alvaro Micocci ’28
Alvaro’s words: Hey there! I’m Alvaro Micocci and I’m a sophomore student from Argentina. Along with Houda and Anastasiia I will be leading the Youth Empowerment and Education trip to the Dominican Republic, in which we’ll be working with the Mariposa Foundation. My academic interests are in the fields of Economics, Politics and the Italian Language, and I’m seeking to live a more intentional and connected life. My favorite thing about MAlt is that it allows us to reflect both on ourselves and the community we live in.