10/20/2026
Alumni spotlight ✨
Emily Romberger, '23 RPTM (outdoor recreation), is an environmental education planner at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center with the Philadelphia Water Department.
Emily educates and engages the public to make informed decisions about land and water use. This can include leading K-12 field trips, tabling at community events, and working with local artists to create exhibits in the center.
"I think fostering relationships between people and places is at the heart of RPTM," Emily said. "Exploring what can be learned from human-nature relationships is critical for creating sustainable pathways for the future. Sustainability intersects with every part of the industry, from implementing nature-based climate solutions, to historic preservation, to empowering our youth to be the next generation of climate stewards.
"My experience at Shaver's Creek was so impactful and still guides me in my current role, but SEED Semester was especially formative for my professional career. Learning how to design informal education programs is a skill that helped me land this role and a skill that I continue to grow and refine as time goes on.
"When I got to Penn State my first year, I had no clue what I wanted to study, but I knew that I cared about the environment and enjoyed working with others. When I discovered RPTM, the versatility of the program and blend of my passions made me feel like I found my niche. The department and professors were so awesome. Most times, class didn't even feel like class. We were out of our seats and moving around, having conversations, doing team-building exercises, or interacting with nature, which made learning so fun. I might be biased, but RPTM-ers are some of the coolest people ever!"
