University of Vermont senior Andrew Romano ’21 has a mantra. “Everything and everyone outdoors,” he says. “I’d like to help close the gap between less represented People of Color and White-dominated participation in outdoor recreation.”

From hiking and skiing in the mountains to exploring the lakes and ponds in his canoe and three kayaks, Andrew took advantage of the spectacular outdoor recreation that Vermont offers and decided to make it a career. He majored in Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

He originally came to the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources for the reputation of its Wildlife and Fisheries Biology program and his passion for animals. While young, Andrew developed a love for the llamas, goats, and, his special favorite, chickens in the petting zoo at his mother’s amusement park near Coney Island, New York.

Born in Guatemala, Andrew and his adopted mother moved around as he grew up—from Brooklyn to Virginia to Pennsylvania and, finally, Connecticut. There, as a high school student, he volunteered at a local wildlife rehab center, The Wildlife Line, where he cared for injured mammals and birds and educated the public about proper interaction with wild animals. For three summers, he worked as a park interpreter and caretaker at Squantz Pond State Park. He became active in hiking, fishing, and water sports, including canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, and wake boarding.

During his college search, he had the chance to visit UVM and to stay in a residential dorm with an undergraduate.

“I got to see behind the scenes and to experience the student culture,” says Andrew, who decided to pay that forward. As an undergraduate himself, he hosted two high school students—one from Puerto Rico, which, for Andrew, was a fun connection to his Latino roots.

“Ironically, I couldn’t speak Spanish, but I had a great time showing the student around,” says Andrew.

To pull together his interests in all things outdoors, Andrew minored in Wildlife Biology and then added a minor in Forestry.

“By studying recreation, wildlife, and forestry, I built a triangle of knowledge and understanding of the world around me and a foundation for my career,” says Andrew, who added several jobs and campus involvement to his learning experience.

He joined the UVM Outing Club and its sister club POCO, or People of Color Outdoors, and soon led student trips for both. He met Miguel Reda ’17, a POCO leader, who became a friend and cohort in encouraging and supporting BIPOC individuals in the outdoors. 
  
Andrew credits Marie Vea, of Rubenstein School Student Services and advisor for POCO, with influencing his involvement on campus.

“Marie was critical in helping me to understand and to develop my personal beliefs as a Person of Color in a mostly White environment,” says Andrew, who, as a USDA Multicultural Scholar in the School, met regularly with Marie and three other undergraduate scholars. “I plan to continue to influence People of Color to get involved in the outdoors.”

When he came to UVM, he immediately took up skiing, and his newfound winter sport turned into employment. This past winter, Andrew worked as a ski instructor for Vail at Stowe Mountain Resort and a backcountry skiing guide for Umiak Outdoor Outfitters in Stowe.

In two retail jobs, he shares his knowledge of outdoor recreation and gear with customers at Umiak and at Outdoor Gear Exchange (OGE) in Burlington. At OGE, Andrew works with Miguel, OGE’s diversity manager, to help increase inclusion of People of Color in outdoor sports. Andrew hopes to work alongside Miguel at OGE-sponsored events such as an all-access mountain biking event for BIPOC individuals.

For the summer, Andrew has been hired as assistant park manager at Alburgh Dunes State Park in North Hero, Vermont. Because of his wide-ranging outdoor interests, after he graduates in December 2021, Andrew intends to pursue seasonal jobs—particularly involving whitewater sports in the summer and snow sports in the winter, whether in the Northeast or out west.

His ultimate dream is to become a program coordinator for an outfitter or to run an outfitter shop. He would like to stay in touch with his other interests by doing seasonal wildlife and forestry work on the side, and he is not counting out a job that combines all three interests!

New Zealand and Australia are in his travel sights and especially a return to Guatemala to give back to his roots. Wherever Andrew goes, he will share his love of the outdoors and recreation with all people.