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BRISTOL, R.I. – When Sean Costello arrived at Roger Williams University, he wasn’t sure what path he would take. But after exploring a range of courses, stepping into leadership roles, and discovering hands-on research opportunities, he found his calling rooted in the natural world.

An Environmental Science major with minors in Sustainability Studies and Physics from Milford, Conn., Costello found his academic spark while conducting research with Assistant Professor of Biology Joel Singley. Working in  with permission from the , he studied how the position of a tree on a slope affects the width of its growth rings. His research revealed that even trees of the same age grow differently depending on where they stand.

“I went in nervous about student research and came out loving it,” Costello said. “Being able to go out into the field and physically interact with what I’m studying completely rewired what I thought I wanted to learn and how I wanted to learn it. This project has been the most rewarding part of my academic journey.”

He continued that research as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) through  program, gaining even deeper experience in environmental fieldwork and scientific inquiry.

Beyond the classroom and lab, Costello made his mark on campus life. As President of  and a student worker at the Queer and Trans Resource Center, he built confidence and community, encouraging others to explore their identities and passions.

“I’ve always had an interest in the natural world, but I never really considered it as a potential field of study until I came to Roger,” said Costello. “I started my journey here as undeclared and took classes from many different fields. I found myself continually drawn to the Environmental Science classes, which eventually led to me declaring.

After graduation, Costello will continue his journey in sustainability, living, and learning at the Lost Valley Educational Center in Oregon as a permaculture intern in an ecovillage. Before leaving campus, he was invited to speak at a QTRAC ceremony, where he reflected on how he found his voice at Roger.

Involvements that Promote Growth: “Being part of RAD taught me to trust myself and others. Coordinating student events helped me realize how much I enjoy teamwork and supporting my peers. Effective communication is necessary in all aspects of life, which is something I was able to practice. Living on campus for SURF and attending the  in Washington, D.C., showed me how much I love presenting academic research and exploring new places. These experiences helped shape my goals and set me apart in my field.”

Field Experience: “My friend Rachel Rodrigues encouraged me to connect with Professor Singley, and I was immediately drawn to one of his projects. I gained confidence and hands-on skills in dendrochronology, R coding, and fieldwork.”

Inspiring Mentors: “Professor Singley opened my eyes to opportunities that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Assistant Director of Queer and Trans Student Initiatives Henley Ballou’s kindness and support inspired me to do the same for others through my campus job. And Associate Professor of Physics Jennifer Pearce’s friendliness and encouragement helped me find direction in my academic journey.” 

Advice for Incoming Students: “Get involved. Join clubs, connect with classmates, and go to office hours. Ask your professors about their research. College offers so many opportunities, so take advantage of them because they may significantly help you.”