MAXWELL BARNETT
Focus: Policy
Undergraduate degree: Environmental Science B.S. from the University of Montpellier in France.
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Why did you choose this program?
I chose the EPSM program to prepare myself for a career as an environmental policy analyst. I’m primarily interested in climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Fun Fact: I like to paint or draw in my free time. Art/music has always been a low-key hobby of mine.
CHARLES COCHRAN
Focus: Communications and Public Engagement
Undergraduate degree: Double major in History and Theater at Connecticut College
Hometown: Hancock, MA
Why did you choose this program?
The results of the recent election have spurred me to fight for better public understanding of climate change.
Fun Fact: I grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural western MA.
MICHAEL DIAMOND
Undergraduate degree: B.A. in History, Ithaca College
Hometown: Manalapan, NJ
Why did you choose this program?
After graduating from Ithaca College in 2011 with a B.A. in History, I volunteered for several years at my local food pantry. While volunteering, I became interested in environmental issues and learned the significance of how sustainability is incorporated in a nonprofit organization.
NYLEEN EUTON
Focus: Sustainability Management
Undergraduate degree: B.S. in Biology.
Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Why did you choose this program?
I am excited to be pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management and plan to concentrate my studies on Sustainability Management. A combination of my deep appreciation for the environment and a desire to help others has lead me to the decision to pursue a Master’s in EPSM and become a pioneer in Sustainability Management.
Fun Fact: My favorite animal is the Orca whale!
KHADEJA HAIDER
Focus: Law, Policy & Waste Management
Undergraduate degree: B.S. in Global Urban Environment.
Hometown: Long Island, NY.
Why did you choose this program?
I hope to bring sustainable methods in developing countries, more specifically access to clean water and waste management.
Fun Fact: I love sloths.
JONATHAN KOVACS
Jonathan Kovacs works for the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation where he teaches environmental education, manages wildlife, and enforces park regulations. He is excited to join the New School and Milano community to learn, work, and help create a sustainable future.
JENNA MAKOWSKI
Focus: Environmental Policy
Degree(s) held: MA in Ethnomusicology/Anthropology from Indiana University
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Why did you choose this program?
I have been working in higher ed publishing for the last 4 years (and still do), but am looking for a long-term career change in the environmental field.
Fun Fact: I have a propensity for working on farms as my “vacations”.
ALLISON (ALLIE) MOLINARO
Hometown: Parsippany, NJ
Why did you choose this program?
My undergrad experience was very heavily focused on research, especially in a laboratory setting. Although I enjoyed what I learned and I believe that research is very important, I decided that I wanted my career to focus on creating and implementing policy changes instead.
Fun Fact: I am a huge Disney fan, and I spent a semester in undergrad working at Walt Disney World in Orlando!
RALPH OLACIO
Focus: Policy
Undergraduate degree: B.S. in Sustainability Science from Montclair State University
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Why did you choose this program?
I chose to pursuit a Master’s in E.P.S.M because it will to expand my understanding of the interface between natural and human systems and the implications overall sustainability has on both current and future generations. What really intrigued me about this program is its unique design to transform individuals with extraordinary passion for social and environmental change into professionals capable of real-world impact.
As an undergraduate, I have focused on the scientific perspective of solving environmental sustainability issues. Over the last two years, I’ve real-life experience and understanding of these issues and realized that my initial ambition of preserving and restoring the natural world was only part of a much larger issue known as sustainable development. I have learned that what has been inhibiting the preservation of the natural world is not the lack of scientific understanding, but political willpower. As a graduate, I intend to augment my scientific understanding of these issues with that from a policy-oriented, social-science perspective. Particularly, I am concerned in addressing the greatest environmental and social issue of our time, global climate change, with an innovative approach.
Fun Fact: I am always thinking about what kind of world my future children will inherit from my generation.
DOUGLAS PIETRUCHA
Undergraduate degree: BA in Economics, Penn State University
Doug graduated from Penn State University with a BA of Economics in Aug of 2013. Since, he has bumped around in different positions in financial services. Being dissatisfied with his career path and prospects, he decided to apply and attend Milano seeking an MS in EPSM.
DANIELA RICO
Focus: Sustainability Management
Undergraduate degree: B.S. Integrative Animal Biology
Hometown: Howard Beach, NY
Why did you choose this program?
I chose to pursuit a masters in EPSM after learning how the solution to our climate challenges are through the development of sustainable initiatives and messages delivered to communities and businesses. I hope to find a career path where I can educate and consult companies on how to decrease their environmental footprint.
Fun Fact: Although I am a native New Yorker– I actually pursued my undergrad degree at the university of south Florida in Tampa and so it feels like an entirely new experience to be back in New York for grad school!
AMANDA SACHS
Focus: Environmental Justice
Undergraduate degree: B.A. in Political Science
Hometown: Suffern, NY
Why did you choose this program?
I chose to pursue a Master’s in EPSM because I’ve been most passionate throughout my life, about making communities and institutions sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Fun Fact: I am currently writing a science fiction novel about a ‘scientific cure’ for climate change that goes terribly wrong…
JULIEANN SOEDER
Focus: Sustainability as it relates to Design and Architecture
Undergraduate degree: BFA in Interior Design
Hometown: Farmingdale, NY
Why did you choose this program?
After working in the world of corporate interior design for two years I am looking to make more of an impact and create a more sustainable path for my future. I want to ensure that there are practices in place that guarantee that the spaces where we spend our time are good for our health and the health of our environment.
Fun Fact: I don’t love trying new foods and I’m quite picky – but I tried avocado for the first time in 2017 and I’m hooked.
CAROLINE THOMPSON
Undergraduate degree: International Relations with a minor in Environmental Policy
Hometown: Boston, MA
Why did you choose this program?
I consider Boston home and I’m moving to New York after a year in Silverthorne, Colorado. At Milano, I will be attending the Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management program. I am pursuing a Master’s with ESPM because I want to gain a stronger understanding of how sustainable, human-centered systems and policies are successfully developed and implemented.
Fun Fact: my senior year of college, I rode a bus with my fencing team from Boston to Knoxville, Tennessee for the collegiate national competition; to our delight, right next to the competition venue there was a llama convention, complete with llamas racing while wearing bonnets.
JUSTIN WILLIAMS
Focus: Management/Food
Undergraduate degree: Music Major, Business Minor, Queens College
Hometown: Oyster Bay, NY
Why did you choose this program?
I am not sure exactly what I will concentrate on within the EPSM program, however I am initially interested in the following topics:
-Managing organizations sustainability efforts to lessen their carbon footprint
-Food, where does it come from? How does it effect our ecosystem? How can we work with agricultural industry to better regulate whats acceptable when it comes to food production?
Fun Fact: I have been vegetarian since I was 21. I play music and have a band. I work at IKEA.
