3 Environmental Educators Making an Impact

Florida Tech has had the honor of educating returned Peace Corps volunteers through a prestigious Peace Corps Graduate Fellowship. These resourceful and entrepreneurial students have gone on to inspire new generations of students.

Vanessa Spero-Swingle ’06, started a women’s collective in Africa and literally wrote the book on environmental education, contributing a chapter to the International Handbook of Research in Environmental Education.

“The program taught me how to teach effectively.  Having the opportunity to participate in a fellowship allowed me to network in the community.”

Katrina Morell ‘00, was the first graduate of the Peace Corps Fellowship program at Florida Tech. She helped start the Teen Volunteer Program at the Brevard Zoo, was the Director of Brevard Public Schools EEL Program and is now the director of Sam’s House, a nature center on Pine Island in Merritt Island, Fla. 

“Having a fellowship carries a ring of prestige and it shows an organization you have a lot to offer. Fellowships are excellent résumé material and can serve as a good discussion item with potential employers.”

Richard Santangelo ‘09, is working with the National Audubon Society in New York where he applies his education and program development skills learned as a graduate student.

“If it weren’t for my fellowship and Florida Tech I don’t think I would ever be employed by the largest bird conservation organization in the country.”