Jenevieve Joseph, C’2025, Awarded Distinguished FAO Schwarz Fellowship

The Environmental Advocate

Jenevieve Joseph, C’2025, has been named one of five recipients of the prestigious 2025-2027 FAO Schwarz Fellowship in social impact, which the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation announced this summer. Joseph, who currently serves at Hudson River Park’s River Project in New York City, has been engaged with environmental issues since her youth — a passion that has shaped her academic and professional journey.

Hudson River Park’s River Project is a leader in urban river education, offering hands-on STEM education and participatory scientific research to improve water literacy and communicate the ecological importance of the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary, according to its website.

Joseph earned her degree in sociology and anthropology with a focus on environmental justice from Spelman College. She has been passionate about fostering equitable and inclusive connections to nature—especially for youth in urban environments. The San Diego native looks forward to engaging with New York City communities, introducing young people to the city’s waterways, and using urban ecology as a tool for education and empowerment.

A Childhood in San Diego Shaped a Passion for Environmental Impact

“My decision to work in the social impact sector, specifically within the environmental field, has been influenced by many of my life experiences. Some of my fondest memories come from playing and learning outside in my hometown of San Diego during the summer, which was an often expensive and time-consuming endeavor for my family. Growing up to learn that my time spent outside was a privilege and not a given shifted my view of how I choose to engage with the natural world,” Joseph said.

Building on these formative experiences and her commitment to environmental stewardship, Joseph’s journey eventually took her from the sunny shores of San Diego to the dynamic urban environment of New York City.

Carrie Roble, vice president of Estuary and Education at Hudson River Park, shared her thoughts on Joseph’s qualifications and fit for the team.

“Hudson River Park was greatly impressed with Jenevieve’s depth of applied experience, relevant coursework, and communication skills. From our first interview, it was obvious that her enthusiasm for the work, relevant skills in environmental education, and collaborative mindset would help her thrive in our Park team,” Roble said. “We were also happy to hear that Jenevieve had moved to different regions of the United States for past fellowship, academic, and job opportunities and seemed prepared for the transition of living and working in New York City.”

Embracing Change from San Diego to Atlanta to New York

Though she’s bravely following her calling, the journey hasn’t always been easy for the recent college graduate.

“The most nerve-wracking part of starting this fellowship was making another big cross-country move. Moving from San Diego to Atlanta was a big step to take right out of high school, and I was not sure if heading to New York City was a leap I was ready to take so soon. But choosing not to hold myself back from such an amazing opportunity was spurred on by my amazing support system,” she said.

Joseph reflected on what inspired her to apply for the program and how she defines social impact. She shared the deep alignment she sees between the Fellowship’s mission and her own values, shaped at Spelman.

I was drawn to the FAO Schwarz Fellowship because its values closely align with those I developed during my matriculation at Spelman College. The Fellowship’s commitment to fostering joy among the youth, engaging in inspiring education, and striving to create a positive social impact reflects the kind of career I hope to have,” Joseph said.

“FAO Schwarz gives me the opportunity to work directly with community members at Hudson River Park while thinking big picture about the lasting impact of creating an equitable outdoor classroom space. I was especially drawn to this position because I get to introduce New York City’s unique waterways to children from every borough and explore the urban ecology of the country’s largest city with them.”

Cultivating Social Impact Leaders

"The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is a nationally competitive, paid Fellowship designed specifically for future social impact leaders. The Fellowship offers an intensive, transformative two-year experience in the world of social impact. It includes professional development, mentoring and a far-reaching network of alumni Fellows, host organizations and social impact leaders," said Priscilla Cohen, director of FAO Schwarz Fellowship.

"More than 90 percent of our Fellows go on to careers in social change. We are thrilled to have Jenevieve as an FAO Schwarz Fellow and know that she will grow professionally and make strong contributions to Hudson River Park's River Project and the FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program."

An Outdoor Education Adventure at Spelman

“At Spelman, it became clear my future career must directly confront the inequalities I saw around me, particularly those in education and outdoor access. Outdoor education, summer camps and green spaces were all hallmarks of my youth that I hope to pass forward. The older I get, the more I reflect fondly on those who supported my journey into the outdoors, and working with the Fellowship and Hudson River Park allows me to support others the same way.”

Joseph's deep involvement in Spelman’s Social Justice Program and her consistent dedication to collaborative advocacy did not go unnoticed by those who guided her academic journey. As Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence, C'78, co-chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department and the Social Justice Fellows Program director, reflects:

“I am very excited and proud of Jennieve Joseph. I had the opportunity to teach and mentor Jenevieve throughout her tenure at Spelman as a Sociology major, member of the Social Justice Program and as a UNCF/Mellon Undergraduate Fellowship Program. Her membership in the Social Justice Program and the UNCF/Mellon Undergraduate Fellowship Program serves as testimony to her commitment to intellectual engagement and social transformation. I am not surprised by FAO Swartz recognizing her intellect, passion and talent for interrogating social equity concerns,” Dr. Spence said.

Joseph served on the Dream Team as a Social Justice Program assistant. She worked with others to raise awareness of various advocacy concerns.

“While her primary interests were focused on environmental justice, as a Dream Team member, Jenevieve made herself available to support her social justice advocacy projects and the advocacy projects of other members of the Social Justice Program,” Dr. Spence said. “We could always count on Jennevieve to be in place for support and help us execute programming.”

This move and her go-getter attitude will positively impact her future to be a rising star in STEM education. “The fellowship will impact my future career goals,” Joseph said. “It will allow me to continue working to ensure that everyone can continue to experience joy outdoors, regardless of their background.”

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