A Community Fellowship in Environmental Policy

A Community Fellowship in Environmental Policy
A Community Fellowship in Environmental Policy is ideal for students who are interested in combining rigorous academic training with meaningful, community-based work.  While completing a Master’s in Environmental Policy, fellows work 15 hours per week at a participating agency, gaining hands-on experience in environmental conservation, environmental education, environmental advocacy, efforts to address food insecurity and availability, and community and economic development. Students are also welcome to review our recorded information session on the Community Fellows Program, available here...
 
Students awarded a Community Fellowship are only financially responsible for nine credits of graduate school tuition, payable in three installments:  three credits are due in the fall, three in the spring and three in the summer.  The Fellowship covers those tuition costs associated with the remaining 21 credits (thanks to support from both Lehigh University and partner agencies). 
 
If you would like to be considered for a Community Fellowship in Environmental Policy, please include a letter indicating your interest with your application.  (Information on how to apply for a Master’s in Environmental Policy is available here.  More details on what to include in that letter are available below.) 
 
Initial planning for the Community Fellows Program was made possible through funding from the Pennsylvania Campus Compact (PACC) and the Corporation for National Service.
 
Letter of Interest 
Be sure your Letter of Interest to apply for a Community Fellowship in Environmental Policy answers the following questions:
Why would you like to be a Community Fellow?
What type of fellowship (at what kind of organization, doing what kind of work) would be your top choice?
What would you bring to a community partner?
How do you see this connecting to your academic coursework?
If you have further questions, please contact the Director of the Community Fellows Program, Karen Beck Pooley, at kbp312@lehigh.edu or 610-758-2637.
 
Profiles of Environmental Policy Community Fellows:
 
       
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Julie Benco
Master’s in Environmental Policy 
Community Fellow for Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
Julie’s fellowship was with the Environmental Planning division of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC).  She researched how LVPC has integrated climate mitigation and adaptation strategies into its existing plans and planning processes.  She also helped update several stormwater plans and ordinances for municipalities within the Lehigh Valley. 
 
Vincent Behe
Master’s in Environmental Policy 
Community Fellow for Lower Macungie Township, Department of Planning and Community Development
Vincent worked in Lower Macungie Township’s Department of Planning and Community Development. He documented commuting patterns and business trends, and investigated the possibility of expanding public transit networks to better serve companies, their employees, and the general public.  His work was part of a larger effort to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs) and promote smart and sustainable growth.
 
Lauren Fosbenner
Master’s in Environmental Policy 
Community Fellow for Nurture Nature Center
As a Community Fellow at the Nurture Nature Center (NNC), Lauren helped develop the “6 Degrees of Connection” program for middle school students, meant to inspire an interest in STEM careers and topics. She also created a Science on a Sphere® show highlighting the personal journeys of various STEM professionals.
 
Amy Hitch
Master’s in Environmental Policy 
Community Fellow for Community School Coordinator, Broughal Middle School, Lehigh University- Center for Developing Urban Educational Leaders
Amy spent her Community Fellow at Broughal Middle School, near Lehigh University in South Bethlehem.  She oversaw the pilot year implementation of the Broughal Farm to School Program.  This involved helping with the program’s logistical setup, connecting the program to students’ classroom experiences, and conducting community engagement.
 
Brooke Kohler
Master’s in Environmental Policy 
Community Fellow for Nurture Nature Center
Brooke was also at the Nurture Nature Center (NNC), supporting the organization’s efforts to raise awareness of local environmental risk.  Brooke helped with program development, event coordination and promotion, community engagement, environmental educational outreach, and grant-writing and research, and oversaw NNC volunteers and interns.  In addition, she worked on a community needs assessment, which sought to understand environmental concerns and awareness in the Easton community.
 
Amanda Chapin
Master’s in Environmental Policy 
Community Fellow for St. Luke's Community Health and Preventative Medicine
Amanda spent her fellowship at St Luke’s University Health Network, writing and researching for the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).  For this, she worked closely with Census data, ALICE data, and multiple mapping systems, all to assess the social determinants of health in each of the health network’s service areas.  She also gathered information for Substance Use Disorder grants and helped with transportation mapping in Schuylkill County.