Alethea Cariddi is the Director of Sustainability at the University of New England, where she is responsible for monitoring and managing greenhouse gas emissions and the university’s Climate Action Plan, waste reduction and recycling initiatives, sustainable transportation alternatives and many other environmental initiatives. Alethea works closely with the Facilities Management team to improve equipment efficiencies and implement energy savings measures with lighting retrofits and direct digital control upgrades. She received her Building Operator Certification from Northwest Energy Efficiency Council in May 2012, and her Certified Energy Manager credential in February 2022. Her pragmatism in addressing costs associated with conservation initiatives and finding creative funding and logistical solutions has been an asset in advocating and winning champions for efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.
Alethea received her Masters of Science in Education from Alfred University in 1998 and occasionally teaches at UNE as an adjunct instructor. She works closely with students in other capacities as well; she manages 10 workstudy students in the Eco-Rep program, developing their peer leadership, event and project management skills.
Alethea owns a small farm in Gray, Maine, where you can find her milking goats, making cheese and yogurt, beekeeping, raising laying hens and weeding an organic garden.
Meet the Eco-Rep Stars!
Hey everyone! My name is Kara Mickiewicz and I’m a double major in marine science and environmental science, graduating in December 2026. I’m from Pennsylvania and have enjoyed lots of hiking, but ever since moving to Maine, tide-pooling has quickly become my favorite hobby. While trying to get more involved in sustainability on campus, joining and participating in the Environmental Council has quickly become my favorite sustainability initiative – as a student, I’ve grown so much by contributing my voice on this council and working with such passionate and hard-working people.
My name is Weston Barker and I am a class of 2027 Environmental Science student! I live in South Portland, Maine and am an avid birder and naturalist, aiming to pursue a career in avian ecology and conservation. I also enjoy photography, art, and music, and am keen on sustainability and environmentalism. One of my favorite sustainability initiatives on the UNE campus is the EV charging stations and solar power systems, providing clean and renewable energy sources to our campus.
Adeline (Addy) Record is a Sophomore here at UNE. This is her first year as an Eco-Rep. She is currently figuring out her major, but has been involved with a lot of environmental programs and hopes to join the Peace Corps. She is from Cambridge, NY, and grew up loving the outdoors. She sees the Eco-Rep experience as a great opportunity to get her hands in some sustainability efforts and a great way to be involved with her school.
Elizabeth O’Brien is an Honors student in the class of 2029 from Joppatowne, Maryland, majoring in Marine Science. Their favorite sustainability initiative on UNE’s campus is the bird-safe glass in the Ripich Commons. Elizabeth also works in Dr. Will Kochtitzky’s GIS Coastal Research Lab, and they love drawing, painting, and creating stained glass mosaics.
My name is Kaden Paré and I am a double major in Marine Sciences and Environmental Sciences, graduating in 2029. I’m from the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, and have been playing soccer ever since I could walk. I also enjoy drumming, thrifting, and all things sustainability. My favorite sustainability aspect of UNE is the S.W.A.P. Shop since it keeps clothes and other various items from going to the incinerator.
Hi! My name is Madison Gilbert and I am an Environmental Studies major with minors in Climate Change Studies and Aquaculture and Aquarium Science. I am also a part of UNE’s Honors College and will be graduating in December of 2027. I am from Enfield, Connecticut and I enjoy reading, hiking, and baking. My favorite sustainability initiative on campus is the S.W.A.P. Shop! Not only can students and the Biddeford community find inexpensive everyday items there, but the shop prevents these things from becoming waste at the incinerator!
Hello! I’m Owen Robb, this is my third year at UNE, and I am an environmental studies major. I’m from Plainfield, New Hampshire, a very small town that sits almost on the Vermont boarder. My favorite sustainability initiative on campus is truly the composting that we do both in dorms and as Eco-Reps. My family has always composted, and it is a very rewarding process of reusing and recycling because you can visually see the progress being made and what you create can be used personally. A fun fact about myself is that my friends and I planned an entire trip to London last summer because we wanted to see a play. It was definitely the best trip that I’ve ever taken!
My name is Julia Hobbs and I am a class of 2027 Marine Science student. I am from rural Alaska and am passionate about conservation, sustainability, and making environmental spaces accessible to everyone. Outside of academics I also have a love for theatre, music, and game nights with friends. One of my favorite sustainable initiatives on campus is the community garden! It’s a wonderful way to spend time outdoors in the spring and summer while also supporting local pollinators and fostering a sense of community.