Em Cantalupo
Student Ambassador at University of Vermont
Em is a senior Biological Sciences major with a minor in Sustainable Landscape Horticulture. Their hometown is a tiny town, Candia, New Hampshire, but they’ve been living all over New England since graduating high school. Em was a Semester in the City Fellow in Spring 2025 as a Special Projects Fellow at Preserve.
On campus, they are a Greenhouse Research Intern at the UVM Greenhouse & a Resident Advisor on Trinity Campus. Bad day? Em’s grabbing a Picante burrito. This year, they’re planning a roadtrip to Chicago, with tent-camping on the way, which will be “a blast and a half!”
Q: How did you find out about SITC & why did you decide to join?
A: “I found out about SITC through an email I got from CAS shortly after transferring to UVM. It seemed like a good opportunity to take what I'd learned in school and contribute to the real-world. I was also looking to see if I'd like living in Boston after graduation.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: “I grew up being outdoors constantly - working in barns and landscaping - which made me want to turn that into a career. In college, I was introduced to the full-picture view of how nature, plants, and sustainability are all tied to social injustice, politics, and the economy, which led me to want to be part of mission-based work. I am passionate about making the world a more comfortable place for those who haven't had many people looking out for them, whether that's designing a green roof or helping companies reduce their carbon footprint.”
Q: What are some of your interests?
A: “I grew up riding horses, which has always been where a lot of my time goes. But, I also play guitar, attempt to snowboard, make coffee, hike, wear hats, and grow my plant collection.”
Q: If you could visit a fictional world for a day & be immersed in it, where would you go?
A: “I would go the Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon, but it wouldn't be scary and the whole purpose would be to fly on a dragon and also maybe just to see a dragon. Or Narnia.”
Q: What motivates you?
A: “I feel most fulfilled when I'm around people who love what they do. It pushes me to work harder so I can spread some joy too.”
Q: What advice do you have for incoming fellows?
A: “My experience with SITC was pivotal to understanding what my next move after college should be. I learned so much about myself and my interests, as well as developing professional and interpersonal skills through my internship and living amongst my cohort. It was scary at first because I did not know what to expect, but I left having gained confidence and lifelong connections. I wish someone had told me that is was okay to feel unprepared because this is one of the rare internship/study away opportunities that has a strong safety net and team of people there to support you. Ask so many questions and explore as much as you can!”