Rocco grew up in Bellport, New York and went to the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, in Syracuse, NY. He received a BS in Conservation Biology focusing on social aspects of Conservation. After graduating in 2007 he served in Peace Corps and was assigned to the small Wolof community of Gani in the Southwest of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (West Africa). As an Environmental Education Volunteer he worked with the local primary school to add more environmental themes to the curriculum and assisted women on the local co-operative farm. After finishing his first service in June 2009, he joined Peace Corps Response (a program for seasoned volunteers) in Liberia. There he taught high school math, biology, and chemistry in remote Kanweaken, River Gee County until June 2010. Currently, he works in a logistical capacity for the Complexity and Governance research group.