Hi! My name is Leslie Dame, a Sophomore History major and a member of the Swim and Dive team. I am originally from Jacksonville, Florida, but my Military child background has given me the unique experience of living all around the U.S., including Guam. Growing up on this island, I learned the importance of the ocean and the dire need to protect it. My love for the ocean only grew as my swimming career progressed. Through my love of water and passion for preservation, my journey has led me to the Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology, where I continue to advocate and educate others about our oceans.

 Hello, my name is Fatima Mayeya, and I am a sophomore at Siena College studying psychology with a minor in criminal justice. I grew up on Long Island, NY, and I am deeply passionate about justice—not only in society, but also in how we care for our planet. Being Peruvian, I have seen how much harder it can be to maintain a clean environment in places that don’t have the same resources we are fortunate to have in America. This awareness has motivated me to do my part, advocate for environmental responsibility, and ultimately led me to work with the Laudato Si’ Center.

Hello! My name is Erin Fresn and I am a sophomore marketing major at Siena University. I am from Schenectady, New York, which is about 40 minutes away. In High School, I attended a Culinary Arts program for two years which opened my eyes to how much food is being wasted day to day and its harmful impacts on our environment. With the amount of people going hungry on our planet, it’s crucial that we utilize every resource Earth gives us and stop polluting it. I am very passionate and excited about uniting as a community to help our planet thrive through the Laudato Si’ Center!

My name is Kamila. I am a senior at Siena University, studying a Business major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and International Business. I am from the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia).

In my home region, I witnessed a serious environmental conflict involving Mount Kushtau — an ancient limestone hill, known as a shihan, that is around 250 million years old. A local company, the Bashkir Soda Company, planned to mine limestone from the mountain for soda production. However, this initiative sparked strong public opposition.
Local residents, environmentalists, and activists stood up against the destruction of Kushtau, and mass protests broke out. Under growing public pressure, the authorities eventually suspended the project. Later, Kushtau was officially recognized as a natural monument and granted protected status.

My family also supported the activists and took part in this shared cause. This experience brought many people together and made me realize how important it is to protect the environment and preserve our natural resources. It was a turning point for me — I came to understand that environmental protection is not just a responsibility, but a personal duty we all share.

Hi! My name is Bella Sylvester and I am a junior here at Siena University. I am majoring in criminal justice on the human rights track as well as minoring in sociology. Throughout my life, I have always wanted to help in any way I can, especially the things most in need. I grew up in Syracuse, NY, which has had routinely one of the highest child poverty rates in the nation. In high school, I did a capstone project on this topic, which is when I first discovered the strong interconnectedness between social and environmental injustice. Ever since then and thanks to Siena, I have dedicated my studies to restorative justice and ways we can help each other and therefore, the planet.

Hi everyone! My name is Bella DeGrasse, and I am a junior economics major here at Siena. I also hold an associate’s degree in Clean Energy Management from Hudson Valley Community College and have a deep passion for the outdoors. I am from Stillwater, a small town about 40 minutes north of campus. When I am not at school, I spend a lot of time traveling to the Adirondacks to hike and fish. I also enjoy visiting Maine to nurture my love for lighthouses, with the added bonus of exploring the beauty of Acadia National Park. For me, time outdoors is both therapeutic and spiritual, and that sense of grounding carries into my work with campus organizations like Active Minds, which is dedicated to supporting student mental health.

Overall, these experiences have motivated me to bring my ideas to life at Siena and deepen my commitment to protecting the environment, which led me to the Laudato Si’ Center. I am very excited to work alongside the Center to help unify our community in exploring and addressing the interrelatedness of environmental and social issues.