Mission Statement

Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus K-12 Programs aim to support educators and youth, their schools, and their communities as they learn to drive transformation and take action to create healthy, happy, equitable lives for all people.

As an educational partner, Chatham acts as a resource hub, collaborating with regional and national partners to provide interdisciplinary learning through the lens of sustainability, social justice and problem-based pedagogies to an inclusive group of students and educators.

We use our 'living laboratory' at the Eden Hall Campus to create engaging experiential and place-based opportunities that inspire students and educators to be leaders in their communities, lifelong learners, systems thinkers, organizers for equity, globally-minded change agents and empathic beings.

Awards

Winner of the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools "Best of Green Schools 2018" award for the Higher Education Institution category. This award recognizes higher education institutions or faculty members who have made a significant contribution to the K-12 green schools movement through partnership, research and/or scholarship.

+Staff

Kelly Henderson

Eden Hall K-12 Education Manager
Sustainable Leadership Academy Director
EnvironMentors Chapter Director

Kelly has been creating K-12 school partnership programs at Chatham’s Eden Hall Campus since 2014. As Adjunct Faculty at Chatham, she has also taught courses on “Education for Sustainability,” “Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation Training,” “Intergroup Dialogue: Gender,” and “Experiential Learning and Classroom Partnerships.” Kelly is especially interested in the intersection between social justice education, project based learning, place-based education, outdoor education and education for sustainability. In her role, Kelly often co-facilitates dialogue across social identities as a means for relating social and environmental issues and centering interpersonal work in global change. This especially includes race dialogues, including white caucus groups amongst Chatham stakeholders. She is a graduate of the Buck Institute’s PBL Leadership Institute as well as the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Before coming to Chatham, Kelly worked in the green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy fields, including managing the LEED certification process for the United Steelworkers Building in downtown Pittsburgh. Kelly has a BA in Physics from Colgate University, an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and an MAT in Secondary Science Education from Chatham University. She has worked at the Green Building Alliance as well as in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researching solar panel materials. In her free time, Kelly helps to instruct the Pittsburgh Explorer’s Club Backpacking School and Mountaineering School.

Jackie Mwanjumwa

Eden Hall K-12 Field Trip Coordinator
Masters of Sustainability and Business Administration, Degree expected 2023
Kenya

Jackie Mwanjumwa is from Kenya, East Africa. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management. Ever since she was young, she has demonstrated stewardship in the care of the environment and has a passion for environmental conservation. She enjoys engaging in community projects and assisting in their development process. She has worked in different hospitality, tourism and events sectors. While working in the tourism sector, she saw a need to help the local communities benefit directly, participate in tourism projects, and help eradicate negative impacts on the environment brought about by tourism. For this reason, she decided to pursue her dual Master’s Degree in Sustainability and Business Administration. After completing her master’s program, she plans to establish an organization that will focus on sustainable tourism products that include ecotourism, rural tourism and agro-tourism. These sustainable tourism products will contribute to the development of local communities.

Nora Robb

Eden Hall K-12 Field Trip Coordinator
Bachelor of PreK-4 Education, Degree expected 2023
United States

Nora is a third year undergraduate in the Early Education program at Chatham University. Her long-term goal is to teach an elementary class and foster neonate kittens, promoting social justice and a sustainable lifestyle along the way. She is very excited to have the opportunity to get a head start on teaching children about the importance of environmental care and equity. In her free time, she enjoys playing the harp, drawing, baking, and volunteering.

Julian Kröger

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator
Sustainable Leadership Academy Coordinator
Bachelor of Sustainability, Degree expected 2025
United States

Julian Kröger is a first-year undergraduate student in the Bachelor’s of Sustainability program following the Urban and Energy Systems track. Long-term, Julian hopes to combine his passions for sustainability, urban planning, and community development to promote healthier, more equitable cities. He has interned for Mycelia Development during the creation of the first LEED certified building in his hometown of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and has attended the K-12 program’s Sustainability Leadership Academy as both a student and a counselor. Julian is excited for the opportunity to help promote and educate on all facets of sustainability as a part of Eden Hall’s K-12 office!

Isabel Smith

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator
Sustainable Leadership Academy Coordinator
Bachelors of Environmental Science and International Studies Certificate: Middle East, Degree expected 2023
United States

Isabel Smith is a second year undergraduate student at Chatham University in the Environmental Science program and the International Studies program focusing on the Middle East. Her long term goals include working to promote sustainable communities and maintain healthy ecosystems through renewable energy and ecology. She has interned at Ohio State University working as a lab assistant and running a project studying microbial community differences in types of compost. She has also interned with the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network, working to promote sustainability and renewable energy on the local level. Isabel has also worked as a camp counselor with the YMCA and in customer service. She is looking forward to teaching and learning about sustainability and agroecology as part of the Eden Hall K-12 education office.

Lenka Platt

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator
Sustainable Leadership Academy Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Cell & Molecular Biology, Integrated Degree Program (IDP) in Master of Science in Sustainability, Degrees expected 2025
United States

Lenka Platt is a second year undergraduate student at Chatham University pursuing degrees in Sustainability: Natural Resources Management track and Cell & Molecular Biology. Her long term goals are to educate students about sustainability and the environment and combine science and research in this work. She has interned at Wildwood Park and Olewine Nature Center in Harrisburg, PA, where she assisted in planning and leading summer camps for students ages 6-14. She also advises an environmental club she created in her hometown of Halifax, PA, which focuses on bringing environmental experiences to students and teaches members leadership skills. Lenka is excited to have the opportunity to share her passion for sustainability and teach students about its importance as a part of the Eden Hall K-12 Education Office.

Brett Deresienski

Eden Hall ADG K-12 Coordinator
Master of Arts - Food Studies, Degree expected 2023
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Cell & Molecular Biology, Integrated Degree Program (IDP) in Master of Science in Sustainability, Degrees expected 2025
United States

Brett is a first-year graduate student in the Food Studies program at Eden Hall. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from High Point University. He grew up in Connecticut where his dad taught him how to garden before he even learned how to walk. Since his first job as a summer harvester on a vegetable farm when he was 13, he has worked and volunteered with urban agriculture programs all over the East Coast, including most recently in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he served as the youngest member of his neighborhood's community garden board. Brett is deeply committed to the practice of sustainable agriculture and eager to get young people interested in the process. As such, he is excited to serve in this role of teaching students about sustainable farming through hands-on projects in the Agroecology Demonstration Garden (ADG). Upon completing his masters, he plans to work with a non-profit that focuses on urban farming education and small space gardening.

Rachel Lloyd

EnvironMentors Program Coordinator - Westinghouse Academy
Bachelors of Environmental Science and Botany minor, Degree expected 2023
United States

Rachel is currently a second-year undergraduate student in Chatham University’s Falk School of Sustainability and the Environment. She is studying Environmental Science, with a minor in Botany. After graduation, her long term goals include a career in ecological research, working to protect and conserve the natural world. Previously, Rachel has worked as an undergraduate research assistant on Eden Hall’s campus, analyzing native biodiversity and pollinator habits. She has also interned for Ecotone Renewables, a Pittsburgh based company that eliminates carbon emissions and waste by recycling unwanted food. Rachel is extremely passionate about sustainability and protecting the environment, and is eager to share that passion and knowledge with students.

Alexia Page-Boyd

EnvironMentors Program Coordinator - Environmental Charter High School
Master of Sustainability, Degree expected 2022
United States

Alexia is currently a second-year Graduate Student at Chatham University, pursuing a Masters of Sustainability, and working as the Graduate Assistant in the Aquaculture Lab. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Heidelberg University. She was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, where she discovered her passion for the outdoors and connection with nature in small places. During her time at Heidelberg University, in Tiffin, Ohio, her love for the environment met with her love of research. She has been a part of several small environmentally focused research projects from microbiology to land surveys. Along with her desire to be involved in nature, Alexia loves athletics and coaching. She is currently in her sixth year of Track and Field as a thrower. Coaching and loving the environment has helped her begin journey into urban farming and working with local youths through the Oasis Farm and Fishery in the summer of 2021. Alexia is eager to help students discover their own relationships with research, education, their community, and the environment

+Past Student Employees

Genesis (Sega) Caplan

EnvironMentors Program Coordinator
Master of Arts - Food Studies, Degree Expected 2023
USA

Jeremiah Davis

Eden Hall K-12 Youth Advisory Board Coordinator
Pittsburgh Youth Council for Change Liaison
Bachelors of Science in Sustainability, Degree expected 2024
USA

Leo Liotta

Eden Hall K-12 Marketing Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management, Class of 2023
USA

Lexi Kapla

Eden Hall K-12 Field Trip Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability, Bachelors of PreK-4 Education, degree expected 2021
USA

Rashmi Salamani

Eden Hall K-12 Graduate Assistant
Masters of Sustainability Student, degree expected 2021
India

Brooke Duplantier

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator
Masters of Food Studies, 2021
USA

Jared Greenberg

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator
Master of Food Studies, Degree expected 2022
Chicago, United States

Tashi Cheozum Lama

Eden Hall K-12 Educator & Data Wizard
Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability student, degree expected 2021
Nepal

Connor Mulvaney

Eden Hall K-12 Social Justice Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Master of Sustainability
Pittsburgh PA USA

Fernando Soriano

Eden Hall K-12 ECology Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, concentration in Environmental Science
USA

Julia Saintz

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Master of Sustainability 2019
USA

Morgan Block

Eden Hall K-12 Climate Educator & Graduate Assistant
Master of Sustainability 2019
USA

Emma Meng

Eden Hall K-12 Built Systems Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability, degree expected 2020
USA

Jayashree Iyengar

Eden Hall K-12 Culinary Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2019
India

Zoe Davis-Bowers

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability, degree expected 2022
USA

Ericka Gibson

Eden Hall K-12 Sustainability Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, degree expected fall 2019
USA

Michael Nelson

Eden Hall K-12 Food Systems Educator
Bachelors of Business & Sustainability, degree expected 2020
USA

Patricia Dufane

Eden Hall K-12 Food Systems Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2019
Haiti

Audrey Lomax

Eden Hall K-12 Outdoor Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2019
USA

Danielle San Filippo

Eden Hall K-12 Outdoor Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies/MBA 2018
USA

Diarra Clarke

Eden Hall K-12 Social Justice Educator
Bachelor of Arts in Women's Entrepreneurship & Institutional Culture 2018
USA

Emma Honcharski

Eden Hall K-12 Ecology Educator & Marketing Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability 2018
USA

Kai Kyles

Eden Hall K-12 Social Justice Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies
USA

Dante Barbetti

Eden Hall Trail and Volunteer Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability 2019
USA

Bethany Bookout

Eden Hall Trail and Volunteer Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability 2018
USA

Kelcy Wagner

Eden Hall K-12 Field Trip Coordinator
Master of Sustainability 2017
USA

Cameron Heyder

Eden Hall K-12 Summer Educator
Bachelor of Science in Sustainability 2019
USA

Felicity Moffett

Eden Hall K-12 Food System Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability Student, degree expected 2022
USA

Gabrielle Marshall

Chatham University EnvironMentors Chapter Coordinator
Bachelors of Sustainability student, degree expected 2021
USA

Silvia Nuñez

Eden Hall K-12 Graduate Assistant
Masters of Sustainability Student, degree expected 2021
Honduras

Amanda Paduch

K-12 Ecology Educator and Project Support Coordinator
Masters of Sustainability and Business Administration Student, degree expected 2020
USA

Chloe Martin

Eden Hall K-12 Educator & Project Support Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Secondary Education Certificate, degree expected 2020
USA

Stacey Jane Victor

Eden Hall K-12 Program Assistant
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2017
Malaysia

Issa Secaira

Eden Hall K-12 Food Systems Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2016
Guatemala

France Gina Beauzil

Eden Hall K-12 Educator
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2016
Haiti

Komal Koodovalli

Eden Hall K-12 Educator
Master of Sustainability 2016
India

Feyisola Alabi

Eden Hall K-12 Program Educator
Master of Sustainability and MBA 2016
Nigeria

Emily Gallivan

Eden Hall K-12 Program Food & Farm Intern
Master of Arts in Food Studies 2015
USA

+Advisory Board

Eden Hall's K-12 Advisory Board helps to drive the direction of school engagement programming coming out of Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus. Board members serve 3-year terms, during which they attend regular meetings to provide feedback and participate in group brainstorming sessions. This group meets 4 times per year with mandatory attendance at 3 out of 4 of these meetings required to maintain board seats. The board is comprised of educators, district administrators, and employees of school partner organizations/initiatives. Public, private and charter schools are all represented.

2020-21 meeting dates are:

• Tues, Sept 22, 2020
• Tues, Nov 17, 2020
• Tues, Feb 9, 2021
• Tues, Apr 6, 2021

Our board also has dedicated seats for specific organizations, schools and districts.

Apply to join our board

Current Board Members and Terms:

• Katie Lockley (2018-2021) - Director, Green and Healthy Schools Academy, Green Building Alliance
• Angelique Drakeford (2018-2021) - Principal & Chief Academic Officer, Urban Academy
• Floyd Cephas Jr. (2018-2021) - Director, FAME
• Nannette Farmar (2018-2021) - Principal, Rowan Elementary, Seneca Valley School District
• Nikole Sheaffer (2018-2021) - Director of Innovation, Communications and Outreach, Environmental Charter School
• Alex Dragon (2018-2021) - Middle School Science Teacher, Falk Lab School
• Steve Cooper (2018-2021) - Outdoor Education Coordinator, PE Teacher & School Nurse, Winchester Thurston
School
• Na-Tisha Washington (2018-2021) - Green Initiative Coordinator, Operation Better Block, Junior Green Corps
• Deborah Domingues-Murphy (2018-2021) - Information Literacy Teacher, City Charter High School
• Darren Myzak (2018-2021) - Biology Teacher, Pine Richland High School
• Kris Hupp (2019-2022) - Director of Technology & Instructional Innovation, Cornell School District
• Julia Saintz (2019 - 2022) - Sustainability Program Coordinator, Evoqua Water Technologies
• Morgan Block (2019 - 2022) - Modernization Project Manager, Housing Authority of City of Pittsburgh
• Michele Hurst (2019 - 2022) - Science Teacher, Hampton Township School District
• Nadine Pisani (2019 - 2022) - 8th Grade Science Teacher, Keystone Oaks Middle School
• Nikki McAllen (2019 - 2022) - Enrichment Teacher, Propel Charter Schools
• Kevin Boden (2019 - 2022) - First Grade Teacher, Manchester Academic Charter School
• Susan Tanski (2019 - 2022) - World Language Teacher, Woodland Hills School District
• Jerone Morris (2019 - 2022) - First Grade Teacher, Faison Elementary School
• Keino Fitzpatrick (2019 - 2022) - Community Schools Site Manager, Pittsburgh King K-8
• Terry Smith (2019 - 2022) - Founder, President and CEO, M-Powerhouse of Greater Pittsburgh
• Rhonda Graham (2019 - 2022) - Science Curriculum Supervisor, Pittsburgh Public Schools

Open Dedicated Seats

• Penn Hills School District (1 seat)
• Clairton City School District (1 seat)
• McKeesport Area School District (1 seat)
• East Allegheny School District (1 seat)
• South Allegheny School District (1 seat)
• Duquesne City School District (1 seat)
• Aliquippa School District (1 seat)
• Sto-Rox School District (1 seat)

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