Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Macenzie Peters

Associate Director (She/Her)

Hi! My name is Macenzie! I manage the administrative and logistical aspects of ESSYI. This is my 7th year with with ESSYI. I graduated Hobart and William Smith in 2015 with a BA in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Geoscience. I have a varied background in outdoor education, experiential education, outdoor trip leading, corporate recruiting and program management. In my free time I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, paddling and camping. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

Erika Schielke, Ph.D.

ADK Associate Director (she/her)

I am excited to return to ESSYI to lead our multi-day trip to the Adirondacks. I am a biologist who most enjoys working at the intersection of education, research, and outreach. As a Teaching Professor in Biology at Skidmore College I teach Biology, Ecology of the Adirondacks, and Public Science Communication. I’m also a freelance science writer with an emphasis on regional environmental issues. I grew up spending summers in the central Adirondacks, and settled in Glens Falls, NY to be close to skiing, climbing, hiking, and paddling. I became a licensed New York State guide to share my love of these activities, and to help others challenge themselves and grow through outdoor adventures.

Beth Kinne

My interests are in natural resource management, municipal law, and water rights law in China and the United States. At HWS, I teach interdisciplinary courses in environmental law, natural resource law, and global water issues.

Meghan Brown

My interests are in lake studies, specifically the interaction between aquatic organisms and their environmental. My current research uses non-native species to elucidate the biological processes of predation and competition.

H. May

My interests include theatre and performance for social change that interrogate the ways in which embodied representations challenge and limit our understanding of race and gender. My current research investigates problematic embodiment onstage and the role of racial and gender impersonation on the late American minstrel stage.

Tom Drennen

I am interested in all things related to energy. I have developed several policy models that explore the complex tradeoffs between economic growth, energy, and the environment. To protect the environment, we must find ways to become a lot smarter with our energy use.

Darrin Magee

I teach environmentally-focused courses on Asia/China, and a locally focused course on garbage, as well an introductory course on energy and occasionally water. I also focus on water and energy environmental issues in China, especially in relation to water use, hydroelectric dams, and the electricity sector.

Shannon Straub

I am interested in plant systematics, phylogenomics, genome structure and evolution. Currently, I am researching the evolutionary relationships at different scales in the milkweed and dogbane family. Courses that I teach at HWS include Topics in Introductory Biology - Plants & People, General Genetics, and Genomics.

Steven Lee

In addition to my interests in environmental ethics and environmental justice, I teach and write in the areas of social justice and the ethics of war.

Scott Brophy

I am interested in the intersection of philosophy and public policy, especially in the areas of law, education, and the environment. I also study the history of philosophy, and philosophical problems about science that are linked to policy questions, such as evolution and climate change.

Whitney Mauer

I am interested in environmental inequalities, indigenous studies, political ecology, and critical development studies. In a broad sense, my work interrogates how environmental issues intersect with issues of race and ethnicity, inequality and stratification, Indigeneity, community, and development.

Nick Metz

At HWS, I teach courses in the Geoscience and Environmental Studies Departments and lead research on Seneca Lake. My interests include
the effects of high-impact weather on climate, Southern Hemisphere cold surges, and Lake-effect Snow.

Paul Kehle

I am fascinated by mathematics, cognition, teacher education, and mathematics education in particular. I conduct collaborative research with undergraduate students and with high school teachers and their students.

Kelsey Ward

I am a philosopher who is particularly interested in the study of Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy. At HWS, I teach courses in the Philosophy Department.

David Finkelstein

Limnogeology, biogeochemistry, aqueous geochemistry, and stable isotope geochemistry are a few of my interests. At HWS, I teach a wide-range of Geology courses including First Year Seminars that investigate the social response to Climate Change and “The Blue Planet”.

Brad Cosentino

My interests include Ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology. My research explores how environmental change affects the ecology and evolution of wildlife populations. Currently, I am working on projects both in a local and global context involving the effects of forest fragmentation on movement behavior and biodiversity responses.

Alaina Olivieri

I am interested in collaborative dance performances throughout the Finger Lakes Region. I currently serve as Head of the Ballet Studio at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy, but also work with the HWS dance community as well.

Leah Riewerts

Leah Riewerts is a rising Junior from New Jersey, studying Environmental Science and International Relations, and intends on pursuing a career in Environmental Law. She has previously been a staff member during the Summer of 2025. On campus, she’s a part of Kinetic Dance Collective. She loves spending time outdoors, cooking, and traveling. She is so excited to be a part of ESSYI for another year and cannot wait to meet everyone!

Jacob Franchi

Hello, my name is Jacob Franchi. I am a rising Senior at Hobart and William Smith, pursuing a double major in International Relations and Asian Studies. After graduating, I hope to achieve a graduate degree in International Relations and work in Middle Eastern policy. On campus, I am a part of the Debate Team and Students for Humanitarian Justice. In my freetime, I enjoy reading, video games, hiking, and camping. I can’t wait to meet everyone this summer!

Rachel Brooks

Hi, I’m Rachel! I’m a recent graduate of HWS, where I double majored in Environmental Studies and International Relations with a minor in Spanish. At HWS, I was the Treasurer for the Kinetic Dance Collective, was the Lead Global Ambassador for the Center for Global Education (I studied abroad in Wales and The Netherlands), and did research on Air Quality & Environmental Justice. I love doing anything outside and I’m super excited for ESSYI!

Angela Ciconne

Hi, my name is Angela Ciccone, and I am a rising junior at Hobart and William Smith! I am from Utica, New York, and am double majoring in Geoscience and Environmental Studies. This summer I had the great opportunity to learn more about volcanic eruptions and the Oregon coastline through the GEO 299 Field Studies class in the Pacific Northwest. I am very excited to join ESSYI and meet everyone!

Natalie May

Hi, I'm Natalie! I'm currently studying Biology and Environmental Studies and hope to become a dentist in the future. I play hockey at HWS and love being active. I am originally from Colorado and I love to hike, camp, and spend time in the mountains. I'm excited for this opportunity and can't wait to meet everyone!

Marshall Hemmerich

Hi, my name is Marshall Hemmerich. I’m an Environmental Studies and International Relations student from Pennsylvania. I recently studied abroad in Wales as part of an outdoor adventure education program run through UWTSD and HWS. I love the outdoors and the environment, and I’m looking forward to being on the ESSYI staff this summer.

Bianca de Nola

Hi! I'm Bianca, a rising junior majoring in Philosophy. I love being outdoors (rock climbing especially), painting, drawing, and reading (I'm always looking for book recommendations!). I'm so excited to meet all of you and learn more about environmental science and ethics together before I go to Prague in the fall!

Cyra Pacher

Hi! I'm Cyra, a junior at Hobart and William Smith majoring in Sociology and Politics. I love spending time outdoors, staying active, and exploring nature. I'm also involved with HWS Votes and enjoy participating in volunteer work on campus. I'm excited to be part of ESSYI this summer and I look forward to meeting everyone!

Holton Frank

Hi, my name is Holton! I'm a rising senior at HWS studying Physics and Mathematics. I'm passionate about fishing, environmental science, and the outdoors, and I can't wait to spend the summer exploring, learning, and growing alongside ESSYI participants. When I'm not on campus, you can find me hiking, jogging, cooking, weightlifting, and listening to all sorts of music. So excited to be part of this incredible community!

Margaret Murphy

Margaret is a rising sophomore at Hobart and William Smith. She is an Environmental Science major and intended Aquatic Science minor. She will be studying abroad this fall in Queensland, Australia. From Upstate New York, she has always felt a deep connection to the outdoors. On campus, Margaret is the treasurer of the HWS Women’s Collective and a member of the equestrian team. She loves spending time outside, reading, swimming, and skiing. She is super excited to be a part of ESSYI this summer!