Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</h1> <article> <h1>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:34:39 +0000</p> <span>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:34:39-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:34">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:34</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nathaniel Liu ’26 understands why 91ֱ��’s motto, “Learning & Labor,” has stuck around so long: it’s because the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> connects students’ academic interests with real-world experiences, allowing the two to inform one another as students navigate college and life beyond 91ֱ��.</p><p>Throughout his time at 91ֱ��, Liu has participated in winter term micro-internships, which allow students to gain internship experience and winter term project credit through 91ֱ��-affiliated activities on and off campus. 91ֱ��’s <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development</a> office, within the CELA space, sponsors the program.</p><p>First, Liu apprenticed with an 91ֱ�� alumnus at his sculpture studio in New York City. There, he applied his classroom-based photography and videography skills in a professional, day-to-day context. “I realized that while I enjoyed the work, the lifestyle of a professional artist was not for me. It was a valuable lesson: learning what you don’t want to do is as important as learning what you do.”</p><p>With new career aspirations, Liu pursued another winter term micro-internship, writing articles about climate change for the National Park Service. Although the position was cut short due to political tensions in the U.S., he retained his passion for environmental communication. “I learned that unpredictability is often the price of environmental public service, yet it only solidified my commitment to the field.”</p><p>Next, with guidance and support from CELA’s <a href="/fellowships">Fellowships and Awards</a> office, Liu applied for several prestigious fellowships and ultimately earned the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship for Environmental Studies.</p><p>Overall, CELA has honed Liu’s practical skills and clarified his future plans. “CELA has done more than just provide work experience; it has helped me identify and fill the gaps in my skill set, ensuring my education remains aligned with my professional goals.”</p><p>After graduating, Liu—a triple major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" target="_blank">environmental studies</a>, <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" target="_blank">East Asian studies</a>, and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" target="_blank">politics</a>—plans to pursue a fellowship in Asia. He looks forward to further refining his interests and goals, with the hope of returning to Maine for a long-term career in environmental public service.</p><p>Liu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through an arts apprenticeship, climate communication, and a Udall Scholarship, Nathaniel Liu ’26 connects experiential learning with a career in environmental public service.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4074">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>From the Great Lakes to the East Coast: Connecting Research and Service</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:19:57 +0000</p> <span>From the Great Lakes to the East Coast: Connecting Research and Service</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:19:57-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:19">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nyrobi Whitfield ’26 found that learning beyond the classroom through 91ֱ��’s <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for the Engaged Liberal Arts </a>(CELA) has informed her personal values as well as her plans for the future.</p><p>Whitfield began her CELA journey at 91ֱ�� as a member of the <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> and <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Scholars</a> programs, which she cites as integral to establishing a sense of confidence and intentionality in her research pursuits.</p><p>Run by 91ֱ�� Undergraduate Research (OUR), the STRONG Scholars Program provides a specialized first-year experience designed to help students adapt to college and thrive in their STEM journey at 91ֱ��, including early research opportunities, close mentoring from STEM faculty and staff, community building, and academic skill-building for STEM courses.</p><p>Whitfield’s first research experience through STRONG was in Professor Rachel Eveleth’s aquatic science lab. It was there that she connected her passion for swimming with her interest in environmental and geological science, studying the biogeochemistry of the Great Lakes.</p><p>After her first-year research experience at 91ֱ��, Whitfield conducted marine ecology research at UConn Avery Point’s summer program. There, she put classroom material into action, gaining hands-on experience studying coastal environments. “Concepts that once lived only in lecture notes—nutrient cycling, species interactions, environmental gradients—became tangible in the ecosystems I was studying,” she says.</p><p>The Bonner Scholars Program is a four-year scholarship that provides selected students with community service and leadership opportunities. For her Bonner service, Whitfield worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, which demonstrated to her the value of making a difference in the lives of others through community engagement. Additionally, as an eco rep for the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Whitfield connects her passion for environmental science with real-world event management and campus engagement, further affirming her commitment to service.</p><p>“Together, these two experiences taught me something central to my CELA journey: impact is not only measured by scale, but by intention.”</p><p>Now, Whitfield—who is double-majoring in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences">geoscience</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies">environmental studies</a>—is a research ambassador for OUR. In that role, she helps fellow students forge their own paths through research and community engagement, drawing from her experiences in Bonner, STRONG, and CELA more broadly. “Being a research ambassador feels like the natural extension of everything Bonner and STRONG taught me.</p><p>“Each opportunity taught me something different, yet all reinforced the same lesson: learning extends far beyond the classroom,” she adds. “It happens in community pools, labs, offices, and during late-night conversations—wherever students show up with purpose.”</p><p>After graduating, Whitfield plans to pursue a PhD in marine ecology and a career in climate change research. “My CELA journey has given me the tools, values, and sense of purpose I will carry with me as I begin my post-91ֱ�� path.”</p><p>Whitfield is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A STRONG Scholar, Bonner Scholar, and research ambassador, Nyrobi Whitfield ’26 blends marine ecology research, community engagement, and experiential learning to shape a career path.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences" hreflang="und">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Knocking It Out Of The Park</h1> <p>dfrezza — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:40:11 +0000</p> <span>Knocking It Out Of The Park</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-24T11:40:11-04:00" title="Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 11:40">Thu, 04/24/2025 - 11:40</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Last fall, Max Anastasio ’23 set himself a goal to find a new job in 2025. That ambition became a reality in February when he was hired by the Cincinnati Reds.</p> <p>“I just had my whole life picked up and rustled around,” he says. "I got the job offer and I packed all my stuff up, moved back home, and caught a flight out to Arizona for spring training.”</p> <p>Max has recently begun his first season as a performance affiliate coach for the Reds, working in tandem with the organization’s player development and sports science departments.</p> <p>“In my performance coach role, I do athlete monitoring,” he explains. “I’ll be in the weight room doing strength testing on players; we do a lot of grip strength and jump testing. I work with them to get those measurements and do reports to make sure that our athletes are not only staying healthy but also progressing. I’m also able to be on the field in full uniform and do the coaching aspect.” </p> <p>Max played first base for 91ֱ�� College’s varsity baseball team and continued his college sports career as he earned his MBA at Baldwin Wallace University. He’s delighted to be working in professional baseball now, calling the opportunity “a gift.”</p> <p>“I’m so lucky to have even been given this offer,” he says. “The coaching side of the job requires a lot of rapport that you need to build up with players, so working on that will make for a fun season of learning. I’ve been learning from the other coaches who have so much experience and have done this a million times before me, so I’ve been trying to soak up information from them.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Max Anastasio, in his Cincinnati Reds uniform,<br> works for the organization both on and off the field.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Max’s position also requires him to play an analytical role, which he enjoys. </p> <p>“I pull the data of all the strength training we’ve ever collected on players and cross-reference that across similar position groups,” he says. “I can look at a player’s history and see how they’ve progressed during their time in the organization. So my main concern has been data-oriented: Are our players getting better at the rate we want them to get better?”</p> <p>Max got an introduction to this skill set during his time at 91ֱ��. As an <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> and <a href="/node/3196">environmental studies</a> double major, he got his first taste of coding languages and data analysis in associate professor <a href="/node/43971">Paul Brehm</a>’s classroom.</p> <p>“Professor Brehm was such an awesome professor to have,” he says. “What I really enjoy about econ is the data analysis. I took his environmental economics and energy economics courses and those were what I enjoyed the most.” </p> <p>In true Obie fashion, Max is dedicated to growth and improvement, and believes camaraderie brings joint success.</p> <p>“I want to build up that rapport, résumé, and wealth of knowledge in my own head so I can be of use to the athletes I work with,” he says. “I want to keep developing myself and promoting my professional development for the foreseeable future.”</p> <p>Max also imparts some advice he learned from a grad school mentor, who discouraged him from accepting any career that felt like settling or compromising. </p> <p>“You could be making a sacrifice that you don’t necessarily want to make,” he says. “Do exactly what you want to do and don’t concede an inch on that.”</p> <hr> <p><em>If you’re excited about everything the future has in store, check out <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration and Development</a> to learn how 91ֱ�� can help you turn your passions into a fulfilling career.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">From studying economics to MLB coaching, Max Anastasio '23 is paving his way with perseverance.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-04-28T12:00:00Z">Mon, 04/28/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Danielle Frezza</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4299">Baseball</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4300">MBA</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4301">Grad School</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Steve Schooner</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>