Meet our 2025-26 Climate Action Fellows
Welcoming our new cohort of Climate Action Fellows for the 2025-2026 Academic Year! We have a total of 21 students this cohort, each off on exciting adventures this summer working for various organizations and/or independent projects around the world. We are struck by the diversity of engagements in our space, and know that such an interdisciplinary space will strengthen our climate action.
Here’s a brief introduction to each of our fellows, their work, and the question’s they are engaging with this summer.
Addie Shandro (she/they) | Environmental Justice ‘26 | Idaho Rivers United in Boise, Idaho
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Hi! I’m Addie, and I’m from Boise, Idaho. I’m studying Environmental Justice and Chinese at Middlebury, and on campus, I help run the ceramics studio and can be frequently found loitering in WRMC’s studio. I grew up rafting and camping in Idaho’s rivers and mountains, and I guide on the Payette River. My love for Idaho’s public landscapes drew me to environmental policy activism in high school and has since grown into a passion for water policy and river conservation. I’m especially interested in how community-building and accessible education can drive meaningful climate action. I’m committed to creating inclusive, restorative spaces that foster community and connection both on and off campus. This summer, I’ll be at home interning with Idaho Rivers United—a conservation org focused on protecting the health of Idaho’s rivers. I’ll be learning more about mining and water policy, supporting volunteer coordination, and pitching in around the office. |
Aisha Thapaliya (she/her) | Environmental Justice, ‘25.5 | Leith Himalayan Centre in Scotland and Conservation Work in Jordan
Hello! I’m Aisha (sher/her) I am a rising senior-feb studying Environmental Justice and Arabic. I initially became connected to the Climate Action Program through the Environmental Studies Department and by working at the Knoll. In my free time, I am typically experimenting with a new recipe or enjoying outdoor activities with loved ones! I am interested in pursuing a career in environmental law, specifically within NGOs related to sustainable agriculture. The focus of my Fellowship ultimately centers around the concepts of food justice and food sovereignty, which are integral to climate justice. This summer, I have the unique opportunity to study Arabic and work with an environmental NGO in Amman, Jordan. This experience comes after my recent academic term in Edinburgh, where I have been working on in an intergenerational farming project at the Leith Himalayan Centre. The ability to spend time in diverse and distinct regions, both culturally and climatically, has inspired me to further engage in how food production, distribution, and consumption differ across various regions at a local level. I am particularly interested in studying how communities adapt and build resilience in the face of challenges posed by climate change, global trade, and historical inequalities. My hope to broaden and deepen my understanding of political, historical, and cultural structures, including colonial and post-colonial practices, that have shaped prevailing narratives and perceptions of our food system. I strongly believe in the power of community-based farming to foster a collective sense of ownership and pride in sharing resources while nurturing cultural identity and the drive to protect ecosystems. Whilst participating in community-based farm spaces in Edinburgh, Amman, and Middlebury, my goals is to explore and celebrate accessible, nourishing, regenerative, and culturally relevant food, through inclusive and meaningful engagement.
Changchang Ma (she/her) | Environmental Studies and Anthropology, ‘26 | Conflict Transformation course on the agrosilvopastoral ecosystem in Extremadura, Spain and senior research on narratives of modernity in a rural development project in Chengdu, China.
My name is Changchang Ma (she/her), and I am a rising senior majoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. I grew up in Wenzhou, China, and have spent part of my studies in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, which opened doors for me to intersectional perspectives to understand our complex lived experiences and community-based action. I am particularly excited to join the Climate Action Fellowship community to exchange observations, perspectives, and questions from different corners of the world to build bridges between conversations for imagining a just inclusive climate future. My motivation to climate action primarily comes from my determination to put puzzle pieces together to understand the interwoven life we live through, dig out roots to dismantle oppression, and sow more seeds of hope! Through working at the Knoll, I began to develop nuanced and grounded understanding of food system, being part of a community, taking care of one’s self and others physically and mentally, as well as just how much abundance these non-human beings around us offer! And this summer, I will be taking a Conflict Transformation course first with Midd on the agrosilvopastoral ecosystem in Extremadura, Spain and then head into my senior research on narratives of modernity in a rural development project in Chengdu, China. Looking forward, I hope to seek a career in environmental/food justice work, agroecological and community-based agriculture, environmental/food education, and/or be a quirky old lady by age of 80.
Devin Santikarma (he/him) | International Global Studies w/ Focus in Migration and Diaspora ‘25 | Aliansi Jurnalis Independen in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia
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My name is Devin Made Santikarma. My work exists at the intersection of migration studies, climate justice, and documentary film and photography. Born in Bali but spending life between Indonesia and the United States, I’m interested in projects that interrogate histories of transitional justice, postcolonial theory, and the politics of memory and identity. As a visual storyteller, I want to explore how we live and die in the Anthropocene. |
Ella Powers (they/she) |Environmental Studies and Earth & Climate Sciences joint major, ‘27| Renewable Energy, Technology & Resource Economics in Iceland, Coordination of Fall Conference, Work to compile stories, interviews, photos, etc documenting the 20 years of the Sunday Night Group
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I’m Ella (they/she) and I’m originally from Hamden, Connecticut but I have found such a lovely home in Vermont. I’m a sophomore joint majoring in Environmental Studies and Earth & Climate Sciences with special interests in paleoceanography and energy systems. When not in class, coding, or working in the lab, you can find me organizing a new event for the Sunday Night Environmental Group or meeting with stakeholders to discuss sustainability at Middlebury and in the greater Vermont community. I have greatly enjoyed my time as SNEG co-manager, SGA Environmental Sustainability committee co-director, and a Sustainability Communications intern for the Sustainability Solutions Lab. All of these roles and more have helped me develop the skills necessary to successfully organize around climate action and I’m so excited to now be a Climate Action Fellow and be able to put these skills into further practice. My connection to climate action has run deep within me since I was a little first grader who wrote to their grandma I was upset I couldn’t pick up all the litter outside. Even though my environmental interests have changed many times throughout my life, my passion to protect both people and planet has never faltered. |
Guled Adam he/him | Psychology and Religion ‘26 | Independent Fieldwork in Somaliland and Vermont AGency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
My name is Guled Adam, and I’m a psychology and religion major from Milton, Massachusetts. I’m Somali-American and spend part of every summer in Somaliland, where my family’s been involved in farming and frankincense harvesting for generations. This summer, I’ll be doing independent fieldwork in the Erigavo region and the Golis Mountains, looking at how drought, overharvesting, and global demand are putting pressure on both Boswellia trees and the people who tap them. I’m also interning with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, supporting grant programs for sustainable agriculture, and understanding how systems work—or don’t—on the policy side. On campus, I’m a Scott Center Fellow, where I’ve been researching how different religious and spiritual worldviews shape ideas of resilience and responsibility in the face of crisis. I’m deeply passionate about understanding the human condition, practicing empathy, and studying the environment and religion—these threads shape nearly everything I do. I’m also something of an olfactory enthusiast (which you might’ve caught a whiff of, given my topic). I’m very excited to be part of this year’s Climate Action cohort and to be in conversation with folks thinking critically about land, labor, belief, and the future.
Javier Merino (he/him) | Environmental Economics Major, ‘26 | Independent Project in El Salvador
Hello, my name is Javier Merino. I am currently pursuing a major in Environmental Economics, a path I chose after a transformative experience during my multi-country study abroad with Semester at Sea. Witnessing the natural wonders of the world—from dolphins and flying fish to whales, and, regrettably, pervasive marine debris—sparked my commitment to climate and environmental action. My academic journey and personal experiences in three different countries across three continents have honed my adaptability and innovative problem-solving skills. I am fluent in Spanish, English, and Chinese, which enriches my ability to connect with diverse communities in their native languages.
Currently, I am exploring the intersection of people, nature, and technology. This summer, I am focused on creating a VR 360-degree documentary that highlights the impacts of climate change in El Salvador. This project combines my passion for environmental advocacy with cutting-edge technology to educate and engage global audiences. I firmly believe that meaningful climate action requires listening to local communities. Sustainable solutions must be culturally relevant and supported by those who are most affected. Through this Fellowship, I aim to amplify these voices and contribute to the development of enduring environmental strategies
Josette Chun (she/her) | Environmental Policy ‘26 | Vermont River Conservancy
Josette is a Georgia native and an Environmental Policy major at Middlebury. She is interested in environmental law and current innovative conservation practices, which has led her to working with the Vermont River Conservancy on their 2025 Conservation Plan and climate storytelling. Josette is also interested in effective & accessible climate storytelling, reaching communities and individuals who often go unheard. In Summer 2024, Josette conducted research on the human health impacts from PFAS and mercury. Much of the research included canvassing across Lake Champlain—directly listening to stories from fishermen and Vermonters who care about clean water. Josette took much inspiration from her research and was compelled to apply to the Climate Action Fellowship. Much of Josette’s engagements on campus include organizing public speaking & storytelling platforms with Oratory Now! and the TEDxMiddlebury Board. Josette is also an active member in Environmental Council, Judicial Board, and ResLife. Moreover, Josette has interned for the U.S. Senate with Senator Peter Welch in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts where she deepened her interests in public service and environmental policymaking. This year, Josette is excited to build connections with other fellows in the cohort and engage with events at the FECH. At Middlebury, you can catch Josette at the Ceramics studio practicing her clay-throwing skills, playing tennis on the Proctor courts, or drinking matcha at Stone Leaf Teahouse.
June Su (he/him) | Political Science, ‘27 | Researching Multinational Environmental Projects in the Congo River Basin in Middlebury, VT
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Hi, my name is June Su and I am a Political Science major and Studio Art minor also studying Spanish. For the summer of 2025, I will be a political science research intern for Dr. Kemi Fuentes-George tracking and analyzing multinational environmental projects in the Congo River Basin. Having previously worked with March For Our Lives, Artchange, Inc., and Middlebury Weapons Divestment, I hope to make some form of community organizing my full-time career post-grad. Outside of political work, I love to get creative: painting the lush Vermont landscape, curating playlists for my WRMC Radio show, and honing methods of traditional Chinese cooking for both my loved ones and in professional kitchen settings. |
Kana DeCoste (she/her) | Conservation Biology, ‘27 | Community Services Unlimited in Los Angeles
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Hello, I’m Kana, a rising junior majoring in conservation biology and minoring in food studies. My climate-related interests lie in the ways that food systems are deeply intertwined with the climate crisis and how bridging historical gaps in access to the outdoors can foster connections to and care for nature. This summer, I will work at Community Services Unlimited, a non-profit organization and 1-acre urban farm in my home city of Los Angeles. CSU aims to achieve food sovereignty in South Central Los Angeles through sharing nutritional cooking and farming knowledge with the public, building circular ecological and economic systems in the neighborhood, practicing regenerative farming derived from indigenous and Japanese methods, and through the process of all of this, building a climate-resilient community. At Middlebury, I’ve found community in FIRE (Fostering Inclusive Recreational Experiences), the climbing wall, Dolci and Atwater Dining, the Knoll, and with groups of fellow artists and organizers for war-divestment on campus. I’m excited to continue my work in these spaces in the fall and hope to encourage collaboration between them! |
Kate Loomis-Adams (she/her) | Environmental Justice ‘26.6 | JExploring Earth Justice Soundscapes Through the Appalachian Mountains in Middlebury, Shelburne, Burlington, Virginia and State College PA
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My name is Katie Loomis-Adams (she/her), and I am exploring the intersections of environmental studies, social justice, and education as a Junior Feb at Middlebury. In the future, I envision working in place-based education, weaving in threads of music and social justice advocacy. Growing up in formal and informal educational settings throughout my life has taught me to believe in the value of experiential learning to foster ecological consciousness and an awareness of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. While my roots lie in State College, Pennsylvania, I have been enjoying exploring Vermont in recent years, in part through leading backpacking trips with the Middlebury Mountain Club. This summer, I am elated to be working on a project titled “Exploring Earth Justice Soundscapes Through the Appalachian Mountains,” where I will be documenting earth songs, interviewing song leaders, and exploring how shared singing might be a powerful way to connect people to the land and each other. With the Climate Action Fellowship, I look forward to deepening relationships with peers, mentors, and community members, and growing myself as an interdisciplinary learner, place-based thinker, and collaborator. When not studying, exploring the mountains, or spending time at local forest schools, I love playing fiddle with my band, browsing local farmer’s markets, and plunging in swim holes throughout the seasons. |
Lily Charkey Buren (she/her) | International and Global Studies and Biology ‘26 | Researching Chanterelle Mushrooms in Estonia and Northern Morocco
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My name is Lily Charkey-Buren (she/her). I’m Class of 2026 and double majoring in Biology and International Global Studies. This summer, I’ll be doing comparative independent research on local ecological knowledge surrounding chanterelle foraging in Vermont, Prangli Island off the coast of Estonia, and Northern Morocco. What I’m most excited about is seeing how other students’ projects shift and build on my own perspective on climate action. |
Maia McNeill (she/her) | Environmental Justice, ‘25.5 | ACORN and Wealth Redistribution in Middlebury, VT
I study Environmental Justice with a minor in Arabic at Middlebury. Growing up in rural Vermont has made me passionate about creating a world with gives everyone access to physically and emotionally nutritious food. Summer 2025 will be my second summer learning from and working with the Addison County Food Hub (ACORN) to advance this dream. My time at Middlebury has also taught me about the crucial role that wealth inequality plays in the advancement of food insecurity. I’m so excited to work with the Climate Action fellowship, building off a project started by CAF fellows Bailey Walker and Lili Platt, to bring educators to campus to talk about wealth inequality and its sources. This fall I will work with organizations like Resource Generation to advance conversations about wealth on Campus I also co-head the local foods house, Weybridge House, where we serve free community dinners every Thursdays, open to all Middlebury College students. Together we try and create those emotionally and physically nourishing spaces and ground our work in food justice. In my spare time I love to follow the seasons changing in Vermont, draw my friends, and enjoying the endless swimming holes around Middlebury campus.
Meïssa Atmani (she/her) | Environmental Policy, ‘26 | GIS Analyst in Vermont and Research in Northern Madagascar
Hi! I’m Meïssa, a junior majoring in Environmental Policy. I find joy in crafty things like crocheting, journaling, and spending time outdoors with friends. I am so excited to be working with CAF and be able to practice my passion for the empowerment of local storytelling and different understandings of human-nature dynamics. My work centers in exploring the ways we connect with the environment and one-another, decolonial theory and the empowerment of underrepresented climate narratives. This summer, I’ll be working with the LFDIC in Vermont as a GIS analyst focused on tracking invasive insect species and as a community outreach coordinator helping to foster bonds of environmental stewardship across the Weybridge–Bridport–Cornwall agricultural community. In August, I’ll have the incredible opportunity to travel to Madagascar with Professor Baker-Médard, our work aims to organize conventions in Northern Madagascar where local fishermen, workers, and elders of diverse identities can engage with organizations like WWF, Greenpeace and Conservation International to explore climate adaptation and marine conservation through local understandings and cultural taboos (fady). In the future, I hope to pursue a career in environmental law and compliance, grounded in climate justice, countermapping, and the many ways people experience and relate to the environments they live in.
Merih Etgü (they/them) | Sociology and Psychology ‘26 | Migration Research Center at Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey
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Hi! I’m Merih (they/he)! I’m a rising senior from Istanbul, Turkey, studying Sociology and Psychology. This summer, I’ll be interning at the Vermont branch of U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. I’ll be helping plan and run their Summer Institute program, a two-week day camp for local refugee youth. I hope to bring together my experiences in migration studies, multicultural community building, and community resilience with this internship. I’m looking forward to connecting more with our community in Vermont and learning from them. As a returning fellow next year, I want to create more opportunities for coalition-building, critical education, and community organizing on campus. I’m especially excited to bring decolonial perspectives to climate work! |
Mohamed Noor (he/him) | Neuroscience ‘27 | Independent Project in Mandera, Kenya
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I grew up in Mandera, a town in northeastern Kenya at the intersection of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. I completed my education there before being selected for KenSAP, a college access program that helps high-achieving, low-income students in Kenya apply to universities and colleges in North America . Through KenSAP, I arrived at Middlebury College, where I developed a strong interest in social entrepreneurship. My lived experience growing up in Mandera shaped my passion for solving local challenges, leading me to found Beyond Borders Orphan Aid. My initial focus with Beyond Borders Orphan aid was to support children affected by tribal conflicts and cross-border terrorism through their education journeys. However, I recently pivoted from education to health care after realizing, through courses in Social Entrepreneurship and Global Health, that climate is a powerful social determinant of health. In Mandera, prolonged droughts and erratic weather patterns have worsened access to clean water and basic healthcare, especially for women and children. These climate-driven challenges have deepened existing inequalities and compromised health outcomes. I see the Climate Action Fellowship as an opportunity to further explore this intersection. Through the fellowship, I plan to do an intensive research on climate as a social determinant of health, and develop a climate-adaptive healthcare model through my initiative, AfriHealth Arc. This project will examine how drought and water scarcity impact health and how we can build sustainable, climate-resilient systems to address these inequities. Climate change in Mandera is not just an environmental issue—it’s a health crisis, and I am committed to finding community-based solutions to mitigate its effects. |
Mya Rosa-Diaz (they/them) | Environmental Justice and Education ‘27 | New Roots Institute Leadership Academy, Puerto Rico
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Hello! My name is Mya and I’m a rising junior from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Ever since I can remember I have felt great passion towards sustainability and climate action, from attending beach cleanups when I was in elementary school, to organizing actions in high school in favor of renewable energy, to majoring in Environmental Justice and Education now in college. Although at the moment I find myself far away from home, everything I am and dedicate myself to doing will always be for the socioeconomic progress of my archipelago, the protection of our natural resources, the welfare of my people, and the future generations of Puerto Ricans. |
Rebecca Dorian (she/her) | Philosophy ‘26 | WWOOFING in Galicia and Summer Farm Educator at Shelburne Farms
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I grew up just outside of Atlanta Georgia, and developed my passion for environmental conservation through my childhood spent appreciating the Chattahoochee River and the beauty, recreation, and natural resources it brings to millions of Georgians. Through the climate action fellowship, I will be exploring environmental education, specifically about farms, through the processes of analog photography. I am passionate about themes of free will and moral responsibility, and am constantly pondering questions of human agency and obligation, often through a feminist lens. I am driven by a desire to form meaningful connections with others in the pursuit of collectively bettering the world. In my free time, I like to get active outside, sing, and enjoy sunny weather. |
Talia Trigg (she/her) | Physics and Philosophy ‘26 | Intern with No Coal No Gas in VT and NH
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I am a physics and philosophy joint major from the New England area, passionate about collective action as a tool for social change, indigenous justice and language reclamation, and building stronger inter-generational communities through community service. This summer, I’ll be living and working at home in New Hampshire on my family’s regenerative fiber farm while continuing my work with the No Coal, No Gas campaign this summer, focused on expanding the capacity of our collective demand response program across the regional electrical grid. Later in the summer, I’ll be traveling with the Nuñoa Project to do camelid veterinary exchange work in the Peruvian Altiplano, where the project maintains long-standing reciprocal relationships with Indigenous alpaca herders, providing access to veterinary resources otherwise unavailable while centering and learning from the knowledge ways of an agricultural tradition stretching back 6,000 years.
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Vee Syengo (they/them) | Computer Science and English ‘25.5 | Sustainability Solutions Lab Greening Technology Intern in Middlebury, VT
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I am a data science enthusiast with a strong commitment to climate action. With a background in Computer Science, I am focused on harnessing the power of data science to drive meaningful environmental change. As a participant in the Climate Action Fellowship, I will be working on a project that combines data-driven insights with creative storytelling to raise awareness about water conservation and sustainability. This project aims to bridge the gap between complex environmental data and the broader public, encouraging informed action to protect vital water resources. I bring a blend of technical expertise and narrative skill, using data science not just to analyze, but to tell stories that make environmental issues tangible and emotionally resonant. By combining the rigor of data analytics with the art of storytelling, I aim to inspire both action and dialogue, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in everyday life. As I continue to develop my career, the goal is to use both data science and creative writing to advocate for sustainable solutions in the face of a changing climate. |