Sophomore Jocelyn Mack Awarded Inaugural Brian S Noel Memorial Scholarship

COBLESKILL — Jocelyn Mack (Lyndonville, NY), a sophomore studying Environmental Management, has been selected as one of two inaugural recipients of the Brian S. Noel Memorial Scholarship. The $500 award, given by the Eastern New York Air and Waste Management Association, recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to environmental stewardship, and career goals that align with the award’s mission.

"My goal after graduation is to work in the soil and water management field and contribute to ecological restoration projects," says Mack. Her environmental focus aligns with her campus service role - Mack is among sixteen SUNY Cobleskill students taking campus service roles with SUNY's Empire State Service Corps this year. Participating students engage in paid public service work for 300 hours over the course of this academic year.

Focused on all-things sustainability in her work through the Empire State Service Corps, Mack is heavily involved in the College’s Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities Program, a partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, assisting communities in rural New York State further develop their brownfields programs. She is also the lead student coordinator for the campus Share Shop, a community space for students, faculty, and staff to exchange gently used items and reduce the environmental impact of waste.

“Jocelyn’s leadership in important sustainability initiatives speaks to her ability to translate her studies into meaningful community action,” said Karina Benninger, Chief Sustainability Officer for SUNY Cobleskill. “She approaches every project with professionalism and genuine passion for making a positive impact. These contributions she’s made, in just a short amount of time on campus, make her so deserving of this award.”

The Eastern New York Air & Waste Management Association established the scholarship in honor of their late Chair, Brian S. Noel, who passed unexpectedly in September 2024. Throughout his career as a Chemical Engineer in both industry and consulting, Noel made tireless efforts to improve and protect the environment and its inhabitants, founding Trinity Consultants' Environmental Consulting operations in Albany, N.Y.

The scholarship reflects the association's commitment to supporting students who will continue the vital work of environmental protection and engineering excellence that defined Noel's legacy. SUNY Cobleskill congratulates Jocelyn Mack on this achievement and recognizes her dedication to environmental preservation.