Mike Jarvis ’01’s diversified education led into a diversified career. After graduate study, during which he was also the Legislative Assistant to the Delaware Senate Majority Leader for environmental, energy, land-use and transit issues, Mike joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) office that provided scientific and technical support to prepare for and respond to oil and chemical releases; determined injury to natural resources from these pollution events; and protected and restored marine and coastal ecosystems.  His current responsibilities as chief of staff at the Assessment and Restoration Division of the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration in Washington, DC, include budget planning, Congressional monitoring and public outreach; he is still able “to lend a hand with some field work.

“At St. Lawrence I learned to think and write critically, to synthesize a great deal of information and to exchange knowledge, ideas and concepts,” says the environmental studies and government major. “The small classes created an environment conducive to exchanging knowledge, ideas and concepts.  In my Environmental Thought course we all fit around one large table.

“Another great aspect of St. Lawrence is the location,” Mike points out. “It is close to the six-million acre Adirondack Park, which affords great opportunities for outdoor learning, hiking and other activities.” A member of the Environmental Action Organization as a student, he also studied on St. Lawrence’s program in Austria.

Mike is a proponent of diverse experiences for those interested in environmental careers. “By exposing yourself to as many areas of the environmental studies field as possible – whether it be land use planning, waste management, energy, wetland restoration – through courses, field trips and internships, you will help put yourself in a good position to see what most interests you for your own career path.  What’s great is that St. Lawrence has so many opportunities to offer.”