Jasmine Smith, Co-Director

Jasmine grew up exploring the woods and waterways of northern New England, acquiring an early curiosity and appreciation for ecology and natural history. She graduated from College of the Atlantic with a focus in Education and Environmental Studies. As an educator she has led wilderness trips for the Chewonki Foundation, taught in Maine public schools, for Summer Field Studies, and was the resident Environmental Science teacher at a high school in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Recently, Jasmine has taught field-based home school classes on Mount Desert Island and consulted on a school garden and greenhouse project. Jasmine's past teaching experience at Summer Field Studies was influential in her career path as an environmental educator, as was the natural landscape and ecology of Mount Desert Island. She is thrilled about co-directing Summer Field Studies this season, sharing the natural wonders of this very special island. Jasmine enjoys paddling on Northeast Creek, pressing seaweed, and swimming in the ocean. She looks forward to a summer of adventurous learning, song, and sunshine.

Nick Jenei, Co-Director

Nick graduated from College of the Atlantic with a focus in sustainable entrepreneurship. After COA he lived in China and India for a year studying sustainable entrepreneurship and walking pilgrimages as a Thomas J. Watson Fellow. Growing up in the coastal mountains of southern California and being an avid hiker, biker and diver, Nick has deep connection to the natural world. He is an Eagle scout and an active mountaineer and long distance trekker. Right after high school he traveled the world for 4 years working on ships in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. His passion for teaching comes from his experience as an elementary school music teacher. In addition to leading Summer Field Studies, Nick is co-founder of Summit Learning consultants, a MDI based firm that focuses on creating experiential educational programs for schools and communities that focus on sustainability and the environment. Nick believes that if we are to create a truly sustainable human culture, people need to have a deep and personal relationship with the natural world, and he thinks that COA’s Summer Field Studies is the perfect place to do just that.

Abigail Dunn, Assistant Program Leader

Abigail Dunn is a student at College of the Atlantic with a focus on Education and Writing. Growing up in the city environment of Boston, Mount Desert Island became her escape and natural retreat in the summer. From hiking up Cadillac, to canoeing on Echo lake, to biking around the bike trails, Mount Desert Island was her childhood Narnia. One of her fondest memories is of building little fairy houses under tree stumps in the woods and in elaborate cairns on the shore. After coming to College of the Atlantic, she has deepened her love for our planet and her desire to learn and educate about it and its care. Her summers are usually spent, hiking, boating and generally frolicking in the wilderness. One of her favorite things to do is lie down in the warm grass and paint wildflowers (especially dandelions) with watercolor. She is happiest in all weather, wether sunny, rainy, misty, or cold, and her favorite times of day are morning, afternoon, evening and nighttime. In other words, she is happiest when the world is being the world. This summer she is looking forward to exploring the island, discovering and learning, and using it all to stimulate her own and others creative process.

Talia CHorover, Assistant Program Leader

Talia Chorover is entering her junior year at Oberlin College, majoring in Geology and Environmental Studies. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona, located in the Sonoran Desert, and has spent almost every summer of her life living at her grandparent’s house on Mount Desert Island. Her interests outside of environmental science include music, writing, and travel. Talia has played piano for 15 years and sings in a jazz and folk a capella group at Oberlin. Her other love is theatre, and she has performed in a number of plays (of which her favorites were Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Angels in America" by Tony Kushner). Talia was lucky enough to spend part of her sophomore year in high school living in Zurich, Switzerland, where she made many great friends, learned a bit of German, and traveled all over Europe. She plans to spend next spring studying geology abroad, possibly in New Zealand or South Africa. Upon graduation, Talia would like to join the Peace Corps and work in natural resource management, regional sustainability, and environmental education. When she’s not at school or traveling, Talia lives with her mom and dad, her 16-year old brother, and her two dogs.

Audrey Post, Assistant Program Leader

Audrey will be entering her last year as a student at COA where she has been studying food systems, agriculture and ecopsychology - among many other topics! She recently completed an internship with Green Mountain Farm to School where she worked on two educational guides related to the farm-to-school movement, assisted with taste tests and after-school programs, and helped compile educational material for summer programs much like Summer Field Studies. Aside from an interest in connecting farm and nutrition education with public schooling, her interests are many and include yoga, herbalism, gardening, horseback riding, and pottery. Audrey is thrilled to be a part of the SFS team this summer and is looking forward to long days spent exploring the natural wonders of MDI, fun games, and artful expressions.