Sarah Palmisano grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, and graduated with a double Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science and Psychology from Michigan State University. She became interested in environmental issues the summer of 2008, when she served as the Sustainability Coordinator Intern for the City of Grand Haven, Michigan. Here, she was responsible for setting up and managing an environmental education center as well as serving as the City’s sustainability liaison. She became passionate about global sustainability and the environment and enjoyed working in the municipal setting. Sarah completed her coursework at Michigan State University where she continued to explore the field of environmental sustainability, volunteering at an energy conservation demonstration house as well as taking general courses on global sustainability. She found the Student Conservation Association (SCA) at an Environmental and Natural Resources job fair, thereafter applying for, and receiving, a three-month internship doing Environmental Education in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She loved teaching children about the environment and wanted to continue working with the SCA, and was thrilled to find, and be accepted into, the Green Cities program. Sarah is doing her fellowship with the City of Pittsburgh, where she works in the Office of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency to help carry out the municipal recommendations of the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan.
