Executive Summary
Strategic environmental education leader with 10+ years of progressive experience building and scaling innovative initiatives that advance STEM learning, conservation, and community engagement. Proven track record securing competitive grants from National Science Foundation (NSF) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and managing multi-million-dollar projects. Expert in stakeholder engagement, having cultivated more than 25 strategic partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and schools. Demonstrated success developing high-impact programs serving over 250 participants with measurable outcomes in knowledge gain, behavior change, and local environmental action.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic Planning & Program Development • Organizational Leadership & Team Management • Grant Development & Resource Mobilization • Budget Administration & Financial Oversight • Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership • Program Evaluation & Impact Assessment • Community Engagement & Public Relations
Technical Skills
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) • Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms) • Automation (Zapier) • Collaboration & Communication (SharePoint, Teams, Zoom, Webex, Slack) • Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, PowerSchool) • Web Development (WordPress, Wix) • Fundraising & CRM (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, AwardSpring) • Content Creation (Canva, Adobe) • Geospatial Technology (ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps) • Survey Design (Qualtrics)
Professional Experience
Advancement Services Stewardship Coordinator
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ | November 2025 - present
- Support donor stewardship efforts through timely acknowledgment letters, scholarship coordination, and data management in alignment with institutional goals
- Manage scholarship recipient outreach, database updates, and fund transfer documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Draft, edit, and process correspondence, reports, and templates that enhance communication and operational efficiency
- Digitize and archive donor agreements and financial statements while maintaining strict confidentiality and data integrity
- Collaborate with Advancement staff to strengthen donor relations systems and promote a culture of transparency and engagement
Visiting Assistant Extension Educator: Natural Resources & the Environment
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT | August 2019 - August 2025
- Led strategic development and implementation of multi-million-dollar environmental education portfolio, directing 3 major federally-funded programs serving 260+ participants and achieving documented increases in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) identity, technology proficiency, and environmental action
- Secured and managed $1.5M+ in competitive grants from NSF and EPA as lead writer and team member, including $133K EPA grant (sole lead)
- Built and sustained strategic partnerships with 25+ external organizations including NGOs, government agencies, schools, and community groups, strengthening organizational reach and impact in environmental justice communities
- Managed comprehensive program operations including $133K budget administration, subaward relationships, procurement, compliance, and resource allocation across concurrent initiatives
- Led team of 20+ faculty and staff, facilitating cooperation, providing coaching and professional development, and incorporating feedback to ensure program quality and participant outcomes
- Drove curriculum innovation by facilitating collaborative design processes with multidisciplinary university faculty teams to develop programs integrating environmental science, geospatial technology, and community engagement
- Established data management and evaluation systems for impact assessment, generating reports for funders and stakeholders that documented program effectiveness and informed improvement
- Championed equity and inclusion initiatives by centering voices of historically underserved communities in program design and partnering with environmental justice organizations to ensure culturally responsive programming
- Represented programs at state and national conferences, effectively communicating organizational impact and building visibility for institutional mission
High School Science Teacher
Tolland High School, Tolland, CT | August 2015 - June 2019
- Delivered high-quality science instruction to 140+ students annually across Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science, consistently achieving strong student outcomes through innovative pedagogy
- Designed and implemented semester-long authentic research project connecting students with professional scientists, developing program model that enhanced student engagement and career awareness
- Provided leadership as co-supervisor of National Honor Society and advisor to Kind Campaign Club, mentoring student leaders and coordinating community engagement initiatives
Laboratory Manager: Ecology and Evolution
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT | August 2012 - July 2014
- Directed comprehensive laboratory operations including budget management, regulatory compliance, data systems, and quality control protocols for active research program
- Supervised research team including student staff, providing training, performance management, and technical guidance to ensure research integrity and productivity
- Contributed to peer-reviewed publications and developed outreach materials, supporting organization's research and public engagement mission
Laboratory Manager: Ecology and Evolution
Rice University, Houston, TX | August 2011 - April 2012
- Managed all operational aspects of active biological research laboratory including staff supervision, experiment implementation, and publication support
- Developed documentation systems for data management and methodological procedures to ensure research quality and institutional compliance
Laboratory Manager: Ecology and Evolution
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA | April 2008 - August 2011
- Led data collection and analysis across multiple ecological research projects, ensuring quality standards and timely deliverables
- Coordinated procurement, managed lab documentation systems, and maintained web presence to support organizational communication
Education & Certifications
Master of Science (MS), Natural Resources: Wildlife Ecology
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology with Chemistry minor
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT
Certifications
- Initial Educator - Connecticut Department of Education
- Youth & Adult Mental Health First Aid - National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Adult First Aid/CPR - American Red Cross
Grants, Awards & Recognition
Grant Funding Secured
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Grant - Lead ($133K, 2023)
- Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Environmental Education Grants - Lead ($60K, 2023; $30K, 2022)
- University of Connecticut (UConn) College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) Teaching Enhancement Grant - Team Member ($13K, 2023)
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students & Teachers (ITEST) Grant - Team Member ($1.35M, 2022)
Recognition & Awards
- Facilitators' Choice Recognition, STEM for All Video Showcase - Lead (2021)
- Excellence in Land Conservation Award, Connecticut Land Conservation Council (2020)
- David & Nancy Bull Extension Innovation Award - UConn CAHNR Team ($5K, 2019)
Board & Committee Leadership
Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association (COEEA)
Board Member (2021-present) & Treasurer (current)
Provide strategic governance, financial oversight, and organizational leadership for statewide professional association
UConn College of Agriculture Health & Natural Resources Communications Committee
Department Representative (2023-2025)
Advise on communications strategy and public engagement initiatives
UConn Institute of the Environment BEDI Committee
Committee Member (2023-2024)
Advanced belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives across the institute
Publications & Presentations
25 peer-reviewed publications (8 as first author) and 15+ national conference presentations with recent focus on environmental education program design, evaluation, and community engagement. Relevant research has informed best practices in informal science education and intergenerational learning.
Full publication list: Google Scholar
Selected Recent Publications
- Rodriguez, Campbell, Cisneros, and Freidenfelds. 2024. Daily Do Lesson Plan: How can we work with our families or other community members to address socio-environmental issues within our community? National Science Teaching Association.
- Freidenfelds, Deitloff, and Langkilde. 2023. Lessons from Lizards: Adaptation to Introduced Ants. Lessons in Conservation.
- Cisneros, Campbell, Freidenfelds, Lindemann, Elliot-Famularo, Chadwick, Dickson, and Park. 2023. Eco-digital storytelling: Engaging historically excluded populations in environmental action through mentoring, geospatial technology, and digital media storytelling. Frontiers in Education.
- Simmons, Campbell, Moss, Volin, Arnold, Cisneros, Chadwick, Dickson, and Freidenfelds. 2022. 'Part of our DNA': intergenerational family learning in informal science. International Journal of Science Education, Part B Communication and Public Engagement.
- Freidenfelds, Cisneros, Cabaniss, Colby, Meadows-McDonnell, Arnold, Campbell, Chadwick, Dickson, Moss, Simmons, Singh, and Volin. 2022. Pivoting during a pandemic: Transforming in-person environmental STEM field programs into immersive, experiential distance learning. Connected Science Learning.
- Cisneros, Simmons, Campbell, Freidenfelds, Arnold, Chadwick, Dickson, Moss, Rodriguez, and Volin. 2021. Program design principles to support teen-adult community conservation efforts. Frontiers in Education.
- Freidenfelds, Cisneros, Rodriguez, Byung-Yeol, Campbell, Arnold, Chadwick, Dickson, Moss, Volin, and Willig. 2020. Investigating human impacts on local water resources & exploring solutions. The American Biology Teacher.
Selected Recent Presentations
- North American Association for Environmental Education Conference. Pittsburgh, PA. 2024. Eco-Digital Storytellers: Environmental action through geospatial & media arts technology
- Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association Workshop. Virtual. 2023. Environmental Education Messaging
- Connecticut Land Conservation Conference. Wesleyan, CT. 2023. Culturally-relevant youth mentorship for inclusive environmental action
- Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association Conference. Windsor, CT. 2022. Measuring the impact of an informal science education program
- National Science Foundation STEM for All Video Showcase. Virtual. 2021. Socially-Distanced Community Conservation Partnerships
Contact
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