Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Sammy Parnin

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Hello! My name is Sammy and I’m a Difference Maker Mentor with NRCA for 2026-27! I am going into my Junior year studying for my bachelors in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I’m interested in entomology, specimen preparation and public outreach! Being able to facilitate projects for high school students as a DMM has been something I have been looking forward to.

Sammy in highschool working on her CAP project.

As a rising Senior in high school, I participated in the Conservation Ambassadorship program with a wonderful DMM! It is actually the reason I went to UConn. This program was so important in shaping my choice to go into both ecological sciences and work with public outreach. I can’t wait to give my students the opportunity that was so influential to me.

 

Sammy posing before helping with Connecticut State Museum of Natural History’s Big Bird Day.

Besides working as a DMM, I enjoy assisting in the Biodiversity Research Collection and the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History. I also am the Vice President of Tabletop Gaming Club on campus- every Friday night during the semester I partake in board games with lots of friends and strangers! Creating communities is a large passion of mine, whether it be for science or playing games after a long week of classes. 

 

When I’m not working on academics or extracurriculars, I enjoy cooking, playing video games with friends and cuddling my cat or my roommate’s cat.

Sammy’s insect collection from her entomology course.
Sammy’s cat Charlie.