Nine Swarthmore students have been newly selected for the President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship (PSRF), a high-impact learning experience where students take stewardship over vital sustainability challenges at the College. The program matches motivated students with small teams of staff and faculty mentors to research, develop, and implement projects in a yearlong course and associated internship.

The program is jointly run by the President’s Office, the Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Program, and the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, and has led or contributed to many of the College’s sustainability efforts, including the College’s zero waste efforts, the restoration of Crum Woods, the development of a sustainable purchasing program, and more. Additionally, two fellows from 2024-25, Ella Peyre '26 and Mahika Shergill '26, will return to continue their sustainability projects.

The incoming 2025-2026 President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship cohort includes:

Quaye Agoyo ’26 is an environmental studies major with minors in biology and art history, from Philadelphia. He previously worked with the Office of Sustainability in the summer of 2024, assisting Environmental Services in updating waste signage across campus, sorting compost, conducting zero waste research, and helping with campus garden maintenance. Agoyo also conducted research related to carbon pricing policy trends, which encouraged him to continue with sustainability work on campus through PSRF.

"I began to learn about carbon pricing and offsets during my previous work with the Office of Sustainability," he says. "I’m excited to apply my past experiences and continue to learn through this opportunity to contribute to the college’s carbon offset strategy."

Grace Chen ’26 grew up in Acton, Mass., and is double majoring in mathematics and computer science. Her experience as a Green Advisor sparked a deep interest in advancing sustainability on campus. As a PSRF, she hopes to help drive meaningful, data-informed change in the College’s digital infrastructure practices. Chen is also excited to explore how technical skills from her coursework can contribute to developing environmentally conscious solutions that bridge her academic background and her interest in sustainability.

"I am excited to work on analyzing the digital footprint of the libraries, a vital but often-overlooked aspect of sustainability," she says. "Through the PSRF program, I will have the opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and sustainability — an area I am eager to learn more about."

Cassandra Conklin ’26  is passionate about the intersections of conservation and environmental justice, pursuing an environmental studies major with minors in biology and peace & conflict studies. Her previous experiences involve many elements of reciprocal learning, including her time as a Green Advisor, Need in Deed volunteer, C4 member, and biology TA. She will also be travellng to Kenya this summer to study the local cultural conservation efforts of elephants.

Becoming a PSRF will allow Conklin to work more directly with campus ecosystems. She hopes to create a better understanding of her own and the community's connection with the Crum Woods by working with Jose-Luis Machado, Jeff Jabco, and the Crum Woods Stewardship Committee. 

"I am looking forward to working in a place I love and understanding the Crum Woods’ processes on a deeper level," says Conklin. "I hope to continue fostering good relationships between the community and the woods, and to learn more about the importance of community connections with the natural environment."

Alice Coxe ’27 is an architectural studies special major from Norfolk, Va. Her passion for sustainability stems from her early education, where she completed oyster restoration with her classmates and observed the effects of flooding and sea level rise around her school and neighborhood. She also served as a Chesapeake Bay Student Leader in high school and considered a range of issues impacting the bay. Shortly after beginning her first year at Swarthmore, she quickly learned the extent to which the College emphasized sustainability on campus, encouraging Coxe to create change of her own. Given her interest in sustainable design, PSRF will better her understanding of environmentally-sound architectural practices. 

"I am looking forward to developing a project regarding embodied carbon that also aligns with my interest in sustainable architecture," she says. "Working with other motivated fellows in the PSRF cohort who bring differing perspectives to advancing sustainability will be an enriching experience."

Simone Gingerich-Boberg ’26 is an environmental studies major and a French and dance special major from St. Paul, Minn. Their two years as a Green Advisor have encouraged their interest in sustainability work at Swarthmore, and experiences working with outdoor backpacking camps and initiating a composting program at their summer camp have fueled their interest in outdoor education.

"I’m excited to be working on a project that allows me to spend time caring for the Crum Woods," says Gingerich-Boberg. "Throughout the next year, I’m looking forward to gaining research skills that I can apply to future conservation work."

Georgeanna Greene ’26 is from Macomb, Ill., double majoring in environmental studies and an English literature and religion special major. Her background as an Afro-Asian woman raised in the rural Midwest and surrounded by industrial agriculture is the bedrock of her passion for food justice and sustainability.

"I’m so excited to be working on a project that extends outside of Swarthmore’s campus with Professor Di Chiro," says Greene. "I really want to be a part of continuing connections between Swarthmore and surrounding communities, especially related to food justice and equitable access."

Hayley Harris ’27 is a computer science and psychology major from Baltimore, Md. She is passionate about the intersection of sustainability, business, and policy. She has worked with the Office of Sustainability this past year as a Green Advisor, focusing on the role of sustainability and various environmental, social, and governance factors in entrepreneurship and business.

"I'm looking forward to working on a long-term project with tangible outcomes for the Swarthmore Community, specifically regarding the relationship between sustainable practices and College-wide policy," she says. "I am also excited to work closely with a project board and my fellow PSRFs to expand my knowledge with others who are passionate about sustainability."

Emily McClung ’26 grew up in the Shenandoah Valley in Lexington, Va., and is studying dance and environmental studies. Interning with the nonprofit Chester Eastside as a ChesterSemester Fellow has inspired her to continue environmental engagement with the Swarthmore community and beyond. McClung is honored to continue environmental outreach through a PSRF project focused on sustainable dining, supporting the Food Systems Working Group.

"I look forward to collaborating with staff, students, and faculty and learning from different perspectives on sustainability," says McClung. "Through my project, I hope to connect the curriculum with the broader Swarthmore community and inspire others to consider the wide range of issues that make up a sustainable future."

Sophia Springer ’26 grew up in New York City and became interested in studying biology and environmental studies after developing a love of the outdoors. She began working with the Office of Sustainability her first year at Swarthmore as a compost sorter, and has continued her involvement as a Green Advisor during her sophomore and junior years. During her time at the College, Springer has conducted research on soil organisms in community gardens and farms, sparking an interest in sustainable farming practices.

"I'm looking forward to contributing to the campus farm project, helping to identify external partners and enhance campus outreach efforts," she says. "This opportunity will help me grow in areas I’m passionate about, like sustainable agriculture, while learning how to bridge academic work with real-world impact."