Alumni

Hello friends! I'm Aislinn, a joyful member of Ecohouse. After transferring to Juniata College to focus on wildlife conservation, the Ecohouse community became a real staple of my JC experience.

I grew up spending a lot of time exploring the outdoors of New England and Canada, which cemented in me a real love for being outside. My affinity for conservation took root during my gap year where I devoted a lot of time to working on wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand.

Conserving and protecting what can't speak for itself, or rather, stand up to all of the anthropogenic pressures in this world, is incredibly important and meaningful to me. Originally, I joined Ecohouse to share that and have since learned so incredibly much from fellow members about many other ecological beauties and hardships. Engaging with the Juniata community around easy and positive ways to live more sustainably while promoting intersectional environmentalism has become why Ecohouse matters so much to me.

Academically at Juniata, my focus is wildlife conservation as well as French language. In addition to that, I am part of the orchestra, in a rock band with some friends where I play the violin, take most every opportunity I can to dance, and enjoy cooking. With regard to other clubs on campus, I was the treasurer for the Juniata College Chapter of the Wildlife Society as well as for the Juniata Climate Advocates.

As probably already evident, traveling and living in different countries is my absolute favorite thing. It is a privilege and a gift to learn about the world in this way and I strive to bring awareness and knowledge back with me. The past two summers I have been gifted with the opportunity to research animal ecology in both Costa Rica and South Africa for three months a time. These experiences have informed my future path in that I hope to start my own substantially community run research and release site in some far away, ecologically rich land country (still to be determined).

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I'm currently a senior studying Wildlife Conservation with special interest in reptiles, amphibians and bats. I enjoy all of the typical outdoorsy things like hiking, fishing and kayaking. Other hobbies include needlework, sleeping and coffee drinking. In terms of sustainability, I'm extremely passionate about second-hand fashion and plant-based diets. At EcoHouse, I currently serve as the Operations Chair.

Connect with Cassidy

Hi & thank you for visiting our website! I am a senior studying Environmental and Gender Studies and am currently serving as both the President and the Media & Marketing Chair of EcoHouse. I am the founder & president of the Yoga Club as well as a member of the Ultimate frisbee team, Climbing Club, and Juniata Environmental Coalition. I also work as both a Student Assistant and a Campus Tour Guide in the Admissions Office. When I'm not in class, in the office, or working on projects for clubs, I love to hike, do yoga, run, and nap in my hammock. I am a passionate feminist & an ethical vegan, & I am barefoot as often as possible.

EcoHouse has been my home for 2 years, and I wouldn't trade that time for anything. Living communally in a sustainability-focused collective with like-minded people has cultivated my environmentalism and creativity more than I ever thought possible. I love helping to maintain EcoHouse's homemade compost bin, hosting events such as our Faculty Open House and Vegan Thanksgiving, and receiving support on the road to living a zero-waste lifestyle. This planet amazes me every day & it is a privilege to be an advocate. I believe that human-caused climate change is the result of corporate and personal greed, and that we are responsible every day to be conscious consumers and educate ourselves about factory farming, environmental racism, and other systems that have caused the climate crisis we currently live in. And of course, VOTE!

After graduation, I plan to work in environmental and social justice advocacy and eventually obtain a Master's degree in Climate Justice or Environmental Humanities. I also plan to get my 200 hour yoga teacher training, hike the Appalachian Trail, and travel to many, many places.

Connect with Erin

Hi everyone, I'm Elisha! I'm a senior pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology. I am the Recruitment Chair of EcoHouse, as well as the President of Hillel and Vice President of Environmental Coalition. Additionally, I work as a Writing Center Tutor where I pretend that I can spell. Much like the Satin Bowerbird that I am, I enjoy collecting blue things and eating insects (just kidding about the insects). When I'm not reading or doing puzzles, I can be found working meticulously on my bullet journal or sitting in sunspots. I am passionate about Environmental Justice and I hope to work in the non-profit sector as a community organizer after graduating in May.

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Hello! My name is Arthur Jaros and I am currently a sophomore at Juniata. I study Theatre and Social Change, which is a fancy way of saying I like to advocate for people and movements that I am passionate about through art forms.

Work-wise, I am a member of the Video Production Team (VPT) and a First Year Foundations (FYF) facilitator. Club-wise, I am the president of Juniata Student Theatre Ensemble and I have been in multiple Juniata productions including Julius Caesar and The Water Bearer. Fun fact: I have also written a few plays!

My love of the outdoors matches my love for theatre. I love to go on hikes, breathe in nature, and illustrate my appreciation for the world through my art. After Juniata I want to continue using theatre to raise questions about our society, such as what everyday people can do to combat climate change (voting, petitioning, etc.) through education and community engaged theatre.

If I had to choose a favorite plant it would have to be an aspen tree!

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Hello! I'm Rhiannon and I'm a senior studying Environmental Science, and I'm especially interested in trees and rocks. At Juniata, you'd often find me under a hemlock tree, somewhere in the depths of BAC, or frolicking at the Field Station. When I'm not on campus, I'm usually hiking, camping, or giving tours at Lincoln Caverns. At EcoHouse, I am a Research Co-Chair. After graduation, I'd like to work in the field of environmental education, whether that be park rangering or working with kids at a nature center.

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Hello! While at Juniata my POE was Environmental Science and Studies. I was the President of Environmental Coalition, Communications Director of Climate Advocates, Treasurer of Yoga Club, and President of EcoHouse from the fall of 2018 to the fall of 2020. These were all such great experiences and I would highly recommend getting involved with clubs at Juniata and trying your hand at leadership roles, because it's a really empowering experience! In my free time I enjoy exploring the outdoors, drawing, and sewing.

I got involved in environmentalism because I saw the environment around me degrading and I could not just stand around and let it continue. Learning and working in the environmental department at JC and helping with EcoHouse has made me feel hopeful about the future of the planet. If we all work together, we can create an amazing world for ourselves.

Living at EcoHouse helped me grow so much. Getting to live and work with others who are working toward similar goals as you are is very empowering. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone with an interest in environmentalism and a desire to work and live with others like them.

After graduation I am looking forward to going into a career in environmental advocacy and research. I am hoping to work for the National Park Service so I can move around for a few years! A couple fun facts about me: I love ice cream, dogs, and trees! My friends refer to me as a crazy old grandma because I sew so much. Also, I built the bookshelf that's maybe still standing in the living room of EcoHouse. Sorry if it's fallen by the time you read this... It wasn't my best work, but the wood is reused from the dumpster dive night in the picture above.

I hope everything at the house is well, and if any future members ever need any help, I certainly understand some of the challenges that can arise since I helped restart it, so I am always happy to help. EcoHouse is a wonderful home and I miss it dearly!

Hi there, I'm Chiara :) I'm an environmental science POE part of the climbing club and the JA for Language in Motion this year. I am a senior, but this is my first year in EcoHouse and I am the Operation chair. In my free time I like to hike, look at plants and bugs (!!), play the ukulele, longboard, kayak, climb, spend way too much time in cafes, and craft. I'm very passionate about the earth and keeping it clean for future generations. Being outside brings me so much joy and I think everyone should have a chance to experience it now and in the future. After graduation, I would like to do some sort of environmental education job.

Fun Fact #1: I was born in Belgium & just recently became a US citizen.

Fun Fact #2: My goldendoodle's name is Elvis, but my preferred name for him is "the rat".

Connect with Chiara

Aye hello!

My name is Elke (L-key), and I call Lancaster, PA home. I'm a senior studying biochemistry.

I recognize the Earth and its inhabitants as dynamic beings on whom I am dependent for balance and wellbeing. With my degree in biochemistry and informal emphases on politics and environmentalism, I hope to impact the food system to make it more equitable and sustainable.

On campus, I hold a leadership position for the American Society for Microbiology club and participate in the Ultimate Frisbee club team. I work in the Lamendella Lab doing research on the effects of peanut consumption on the gut microbiota and fasting blood glucose levels. Outside of studies and groups, I love social dancing, plant-based cooking, and drawing portraits - and I was not immune to the quarantine sourdough craze.

Spring of 2020 I studied abroad in Aotearoa NZ, a good portion of which was on national lockdown from COVID-19. An interesting abroad experience! Being alone in a new place without access to many resources or support systems challenged me to reestablish the importance of relationships with human and nonhuman beings. That in conjunction with learning from Indigenous ways of being and knowing has deepened my perception of what it means to be in relation to others, a lesson I'll hold onto for a long time.

Thanks for stopping by!

Elke xx

Hi! Hallo! Kia ora!

I'm Grace and I'm a senior studying Wildlife Conservation at Juniata. I am a member of the concert choir, women's tennis team, and was formerly the secretary for Juniata Christian Fellowship as well as the JC Chapter of The Wildlife Society. I'm also super excited for the opportunity to be a part of EcoHouse for the 20/21 academic year! Though I am spending my spring semester out at the Raystown Field Station, I am thrilled to still be able to stay involved in this incredible community as I am able.

I spent a lot of time as a kid playing outside, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, and many things in between. All of these hobbies have stuck around and have grown to include hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing, and gardening. I also enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, photography, singing, playing the ukulele, & sending snail mail.

I deeply resonate with a land ethic of conservation and I strive to grow more connected to my food and natural surroundings each day. In high school I took an AP Environmental Science class that added depth and breadth to my understanding of and concern for our natural world. Since then I have continued to explore avenues of understanding our environment, living sustainably, and adovcating for our humble home. My love for skiing and enjoying snow has also led me to become a passionate advocate for climate change and our warming winters.

A few summers in environmental education jobs and internships have helped me realize that bridging higher science with the general public is not only critical to the future of our environment but something I tremendously enjoy. WIth that said, I'm also passionate about wildlife biology and working in the field so who knows what the future holds!

Coming soon!