Stacy Luke is among the first students enrolled in PSU’s new Master of Science in environmental science and policy degree program, coordinated by the Center for Environment.

Luke divides her time among graduate-level classes, her own graduate research project and her position with the Squam Lakes Association, a mostly volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the health of the Squam Lakes of New Hampshire. Her work at both organizations was featured in the “University Research” section of the winter 2005 issue of Natural New England, a quarterly magazine covering outdoor activities and natural science topics.

Luke earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston University in 1997, and a master’s degree in education from Plymouth State in 2002. Between formal education programs, she has worked as a field biologist, a para-taxonomist, a non-profit administrator, a fundraiser, and a secondary school teacher.

“Ultimately, I intended to earn a Ph.D., and my plan is to teach and do research and be out in the field, all within a university community,” Luke said, “I might very well stay right here in this community where I grew up. I like it here. I’m sure I’ll always be in the Northeast and I like the idea of helping the community in which I live.”

Read more about Stacey Luke by requesting a free sample issue of Natural New England online.—Michele Barney Hutchins