Meet Our Staff

 Melissa Griffiths Parrott has been in the environmental education field for over 25 years.  After receiving her degree from California State University, Long Beach, she focused her career in environmental education, attending Harvard University for environmental policy. Melissa became the Director of Environmental Education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, working directly with the Governor and the Education Commissioner to incorporate environmental education into the State standards and using the environment as an integrated context for learning throughout cross curricula. In 2015, Melissa was trained by former Vice President Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project (CRP) on climate science and communications. She is now a Mentor, Chairperson of the CRP: Suffolk Chapter, and an active Climate Reality Leader working with youth and climate action campaigns. Melissa is currently the Director of Education and Outreach for the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the Founder and Executive Director of Students for Climate Action. 

 Harrison Bench is a sophomore student at the University of South Carolina Honors College. He is pursuing a combined Bachelor’s of Arts and Science degree in Environmental Policy and a minor in French. Harrison began working with Students for Climate Action (formerly, the Suffolk Student Climate Action Committee) when he was a sophomore in high school. He quickly found a passion for environmental/climate advocacy and ascended to the role of President of the Sayville, NY chapter. With Students for Climate Action, Harrison has met with dozens of municipal, State, and Federal legislators to encourage sustainability and climate action. In October 2017, he attended the Climate Reality Project’s Leadership Training Corps with former Vice President Al Gore in Pittsburgh, PA. In August 2018, Harrison was appointed to the Islip Town Environmental Council, an environmental advisory body to the Islip Town Board. He was the first youth member. In this capacity, he drafted pieces of climate legislation and lobbied the Town Council on the subject of climate change. At college, he’s been largely involved with environmental clubs and student advocacy. Harrison has spoken at numerous conferences, most notably the United Nations’ Youth Assembly (Feb. 2020) and the New York State Climate Reality Project’s Annual conference (Mar. 2020). Prior to serving as the Deputy Director, he sat on the Board of Directors, where he provided guidance to S4CA’s multiple student-led chapters nationwide. He is also a beach lifeguard and a swim instructor. 

Clare Dana is a second year student at Stony Brook University studying marine science and environmental studies. She plans to use a background in science and policy to improve and implement ecosystem-based solutions to the climate crisis and restoration efforts in coastal areas. She is delighted to be joining S4CA as the leader of the County Team and helping facilitate students to become involved in the vital decisions being made to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.   

Sarah Golden- is a currently a student at Stony Brook University studying Environmental Studies and Marine Science. At Stony Brook she participates in many environmentally-focused clubs such as the Marine Science Club, the Environmental Club, and the Society for Women in Marine Science. All her life she had a passion for protecting nature and wildlife. Joining S4CA whose mission is to expand the renewable energy industry through policy and advocacy work allowed her to work towards her passion and help others.