Erin Moscati

Erin Moscati.

Erin Moscati (image by Onion Studio)

Published November 20, 2017 This content is archived.

Each month, we'll introduce you to an interesting member of the Professional Staff Senate. This month's featured member is Erin Moscati, sustainability education manager for UB Sustainability.

How long have you worked at UB?

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Sept. 5, 2017, marked my 17th year at UB.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love that my job allows me to interact with everyone on campus to implement sustainability, and provides me endless opportunities to think creatively. On any given day, I could be speaking with students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members. It's energizing to interact with such a variety of people, and help them to infuse sustainability in their work.

What's the most difficult part about your job?

The most challenging part of my job is ensuring our campus community is aware of all the amazing sustainability opportunities offered on campus. We are constantly thinking about different ways to reach target audiences.

What would you say is your biggest achievement at UB?

Over the last 17 years the general understanding of what sustainability is and how it is practiced has evolved. As a result, there have been limitless opportunities to adjust the way we approach sustainability on campus. I think our small team consistently does an excellent job to ensure our work is relevant, strategic and impactful.

Tell us something about your department that isn't well known.

Most semesters we have more students than staff working in the office. The energy and perspective brought by the students helps keep us on our toes!

If you were to share some advice for other professional staff, what would it be?

Be an active listener and an engaged participant in all aspects of your daily life. Being curious is an easy way to ensure you continue learning, remain a critical thinker and apply novelty when resolving issues.

Do you have any hobbies? What do you do for fun?

My husband and I race a small sailboat out of the Buffalo Harbor every Wednesday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer. I'm a competitive person and truly enjoy the comradery and competition of being a member of the crew.

Do you have a favorite meal you like to prepare?

Eggplant manicotti. It's similar to manicotti, but breaded eggplant takes the place of the pasta.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'd really like to sail the coastline of New Zealand, and sprinkle in kayaking and hiking day trips as we traveled the island.

Any other fun facts about you?

My husband and I, and our three crazy little boys, live aboard a small sailboat in the Virgin Islands for two weeks every winter. We spend a few days provisioning the boat with supplies and ensuring it's in good mechanical order prior to setting sail. The rest of our time is spent swimming, snorkeling, hiking and learning in the field. We've been making this trip since our eldest was in utero. To date, we've only had one child fall overboard, but he was quickly recovered! This trip is a sacred time for us. We are without the distractions of technology, and can simply focus on each other and the beauty which surrounds us. Unfortunately, hurricanes Irma and Maria had a devastating impact on the places we love, and many of our island friends are now simply attempting to survive. Our family has had a lot of conversations surrounding climate change and how it impacts our planet. When your children can see the impacts climate change has on a beloved place, it becomes much easier to make connections.