Stacey Snow ‘26: Building a new path through environmental policy

From environmental engineering to renewable energy 

After more than 35 years working as an environmental engineer, Stacey Snow decided it was time to learn something new. 

Snow enrolled in UMass Dartmouth's online Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy while continuing to work nearly full-time in environmental permitting and renewable energy projects. 

“I wanted to take all of this experience and use it differently,” Snow said. “I want to use it in a policy and advocacy space.” 

For the last eight years, Snow has specialized in offshore wind permitting and renewable energy projects. She intentionally moved into the field after growing concerned about climate change and the future of renewable energy policy in the United States. 

“I remember thinking that we couldn’t rely on the federal government anymore, we were all going to have to do our part.” 

That realization pushed her to transition into renewable energy consulting and offshore wind permitting work. 

“It was exciting, I loved what I was doing because it felt meaningful.” 

But as federal policy shifts slowed offshore wind development projects, Snow began thinking differently about her future and the role she wanted to play in the industry. 

“I realized that when things picked back up again, I didn’t necessarily want to be doing the same permitting work I’ve always done,” she said. “I wanted to help advocate for offshore wind and renewable energy policy.” 

“You’re never too old to learn something new.”

Returning to school online 

That desire ultimately led her to UMass Dartmouth’s online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate. 

“The course content really appealed to me,” Snow said. “Environmental policy and ocean law were exactly the kinds of topics I wanted to learn more about.” 

The flexibility of the online format made returning to school realistic while balancing work and life responsibilities. 

“I’m 62 years old, working almost full-time, and going through physical therapy for both knees,” she said with a laugh. “I would literally listen to lectures while doing PT exercises. There’s no way I could have done this in person, the online format made it possible to fit school into my life.” 

Learning to think like a policy professional 

As an engineer, Snow said the program challenged her to think differently about problems and public issues. 

“I realized I was starting to think like a policy person and not just an engineer,” she said. 

She credits faculty members like Dr. Chad McGuire with helping students connect coursework directly to their own professional experiences. 

“By the fourth course, I could anticipate where the lectures were going because the concepts started clicking together.” 

Beyond technical knowledge, Snow says the program gave her confidence. 

“It’s helped me frame my ideas and communicate them better,” she said. “I feel more confident participating in policy discussions and advocacy work.” 

Looking toward the future 

Today, Snow is increasingly involved with environmental advocacy organizations in Rhode Island and hopes to continue contributing to renewable energy policy efforts moving forward. 

“I’m putting myself on a path toward something,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like yet, and that’s hard for me because I’m an engineer and a planner. But I knew I needed to change directions, and I just want to keep learning.”  

Despite challenges facing the offshore wind industry in the United States, Snow remains optimistic about the future of renewable energy. 

“I want to be part of helping make that future happen,” Snow said. 

For others considering returning to school later in life, Snow hopes her experience serves as encouragement. 

“You’re never too old to learn something new,” she said. “I’m starting to think differently about retirement now. I want to continue doing meaningful work that I truly enjoy, and this program helped me start building toward that future.”