Sarah Luersen
Sustainability Fellow 2026-2027
Sarah is a recent Environmental Studies graduate from SMCM. She is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and is serving as the Sustainability Fellow for the 2026-2027 year. Sarah is most excited to promote the Office of Sustainability and show off the green initiatives and activities happening in and around SMCM. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, crafting, and trying out new cafes.
Cathy Apolot
Regenerative Agriculture Fellow 2026-2027, Chesapeake Climate and Conservation Corp Member
Cathy will be serving as the 2026-2027 Regenerative Agriculture Fellow at Kate Farm/SMCM through the Chesapeake Climate and Conservation Corps program. She grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, but recently graduated from Northwestern University in Illinois, where she majored in Biology and Environmental Policy & Culture. Cathy is excited to get more people engaged with and form partnerships at Kate Farm, explore the SoMD area, and meet new people. In her free time, Cathy likes reading, trying new recipes, and being outside.
Julia Jovel
Sustainability Intern
Julia is the Office of Sustainability intern, working towards expanding community outreach and taking small but important steps to garner a more sustainable and ecocentric campus. Julia is a 2nd year student at SMCM, majoring in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Spanish. From a bustling Baltimore City to the quiet of St. Mary’s County, she looks forward to working with her hands, being in nature, and meeting new people with similar interests to her own. In her free time, Julia likes to play with the rabbits at the Kate Farm, play video games, and thrift.
Haylie Katz
Green Systems Intern
Haylie is a Green Systems Intern, continuing the startup compost program from the Spring semester of 2026 at SMCM. She is a junior majoring in Environmental Studies, with a focus on environmental policy, and a Sociology minor. She is from Baltimore County, Maryland, but enjoys traveling and exploring other places.
Samantha Peña
Green Systems Intern
Samantha is one of the Green Systems Interns, striving to reduce food waste at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She is from Howard County, Maryland, where she worked with Howard EcoWorks and Patapsco Valley State Parks. At St. Mary’s, Samantha is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy. In her free time, Samantha enjoys hiking, thrifting, swimming, paddleboarding, and going on picnics.