Student Engagement
Pathways for Students in Climate & Environmental Work
POCIE is committed to building pathways for students and early-career professionals who have been underrepresented in the environmental field. Historically, environmental fields have not fully reflected the diversity of the communities most impacted by climate change and environmental inequities, and we aim to help close that gap.
Pathways Program
Our Pathways Program creates real opportunities for students to gain experience, build connections, and find support in Massachusetts’ environmental field.
Fellows receive:
- Hands-on experience in climate and environmental work
- Equitable compensation, including travel and conference stipends
- Mentorship from leaders within POCIE’s community
Through this program, fellows develop essential skills, learn directly from experienced mentors, and present their work at professional conferences. More than just a line on a resume, the Pathways Program is about ensuring that students feel a sense of belonging in this field.
“I can definitively say that were it not for POCIE’s internship program, we would not have hired any fellow this summer to work with our climate adaptation team. Count that as one job created by the POCIE program! ”
“These programs provide the much needed structure and scaffolding for critical work to recruit and retain BIPOC students in our field.”
“The ability to connect with someone who understands the specific challenges and opportunities faced by BIPOC individuals in the workforce has been invaluable.”
“BIPOC mentorship reinforced my belief that I belong and can thrive in this space.”
Past Fellows
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Past Fellows 〰️
2025 FELLOWS
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“Exploring Sites for Livable Seawalls on Cape Cod”
Living seawalls are an emerging nature-based solution designed to enhance biodiversity while mitigating the environmental impacts of traditional seawalls. This project explored potential sites for installing living seawalls on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, building upon the recent introduction of North America’s first living seawalls in Boston Harbor in 2024.
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Elisa worked with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension to support the proactive and equitable coastal relocation projects in the face of extreme weather and climate change - her work assists practitioners, policymakers, academics, and coastal communities.
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Julia worked with the Sustainability Office at the City of Beverly, Massachusetts to advance the City's climate goals. Through her Fellowship, Julia supported work on projects related to climate adaptation planning, public outreach, and state and federal climate funding research.
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Amir focused on data, Climate Safe Neighborhoods, and climate resilience projects. Through this work, he used GIS and other mapping tools to track and analyze environmental data, conduct analyses, and more! Amir is passionate about uplifting New Bedford, and used innovative outreach strategies to enhance the organization's visibility and impact. He also contributed to projects focused on the air quality of New Bedford.
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Arin worked with the Conservation Law Foundation’s Oceans Team Massachusetts on a variety of exciting issues related to their North Atlantic Right Whale, New England fisheries, and habitat protection campaigns. Arin's work included projects focusing on defending the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, and CLF's campaign to designate Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine as a National Marine Sanctuary.
2024 FELLOWS
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"Salt Marsh Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in the Lower Cape Cod Region: Finding Potential Conservation Sites for Resiliency."
Tiare presented at the Northeast Arc Users Group (NEARC) Fall Conference in Vermont, wrapping up her time in the first cohort of POCIE Fellows in our Pathways Program. Tiare worked directly with POCIE Member and mentor Nasser Brahim at Woods Hole Group, Inc. completing GIS analyses, fieldwork, and memo writing regarding low-lying roads along Cape Cod's shoreline.
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"Protecting Communities and Adapting to Climate Change Through Coastal Resilience" Lucius worked directly with POCIE member and mentor Pallavi Mande at the BSC Group, conducting research, site visits, field work, and more.
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"Biodiversity Conservation in the Face of Climate Change: Fucoid Macroalgae Dynamics on the Boston Harbor Islands".”
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“Protecting Communities and Adapting to Climate Change Through Coastal Resilience”.
2024 FELLOWS
Name: Tiare Sierra Rivera
Host Org: Woods Hole Group
Project Description: Research entitled "Salt Marsh Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in the Lower Cape Cod Region: Finding Potential Conservation Sites for Resiliency"
Tiare presented at the Northeast Arc Users Group (NEARC) Fall Conference in Vermont, wrapping up her time in the first cohort of POCIE Fellows in our Pathways Program. Tiare worked directly with POCIE Member and mentor Nasser Brahim at Woods Hole Group, Inc. completing GIS analyses, fieldwork, and memo writing regarding low-lying roads along Cape Cod's shoreline.
Name: Lucius Yu-Kisselbach
Host Organization: The BSC Group
Project Description: Research entitled "Protecting Communities and Adapting to Climate Change Through Coastal Resilience" Lucius worked directly with POCIE member and mentor Pallavi Mande at the BSC Group, conducting research, site visits, field work, and more.
Name: Angel Checo-Reynoso
Host Organization: UMass Amherst Salt Marsh Working Group / Gloucester Marine Station
Project Description: Research Entitled "Biodiversity Conservation in the Face of Climate Change: Fucoid Macroalgae Dynamics on the Boston Harbor Islands".
Name: Juan Soler Ramos
Host Organization: The BSC Group
Project Description: “Protecting Communities and Adapting to Climate Change Through Coastal Resilience”.