St. John's Alumna's Journey to National Parks Service Career

A graduate of the B.A./M.A. in History degree program at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Ms. LaRochelle thrived on the Queens, NY, campus. “With a history degree, you can think, and when you can think, you can figure out what to do in life,” a mantra once expressed by her late mother, has guided her into a public service career. 

As the Youth Programs Coordinator, Ms. LaRochelle’s primary goal is to connect young adults to the National Park Service (NPS). She specializes in partnerships with local high schools and colleges, including St. John’s University. She also leads programming development to promote engagement and provide education on NPS services. 

One of her most recent programs was in partnership with Stephen T. Mather School Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School. Ms. LaRochelle and her team took six upper-class students to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks. The students, all from New York City, were exposed to what life is like beyond New York. Together, students and employees assisted in restoring the Museum of the National Park Ranger, leaving with a new understanding of community service. 

Ms. LaRochelle also organizes partnerships outside of institutions of learning. Her most successful external collaboration has been with Amtrak through the Amtrak Trails & Rails Partnership. Through partnering with Amtrak, National Park Service volunteers onboard select trains as they share stories about national, state, and local parks and places of interest along the chosen routes. Ms. LaRochelle stations volunteers on the path from Penn Station to Albany, where they tell stories about the sights of New York State, as well as the history of the land. 

Ms. LaRochelle and her team won the Presidential Award for National Service and Safety from Amtrak this year. This award recognizes those who surpass the company’s objectives in safety, customer focus, leadership, and innovation. It is the highest honor given by Amtrak. 

One of her favorite parts of the job is her continued connection with St. John’s College and its students. “I find working with students significant, and it has allowed me to give back to a department that has given me so much,” she said. 

“Elizabeth has been unfailing in her support for the Department of History,” said Kristin M. Szylvian, Ph.D., Director of the M.A. in Public History program. “She has helped arrange internships and volunteer work. She has visited numerous classes in person and online to provide students insight into federal and NPS careers and feedback on their NPS-related research.” 

She found a home within the Department of History, even during challenging times. As an undergraduate student, her father was diagnosed with ALS in October 2017 and passed away shortly after. Her mother, the sole caregiver of her father, unexpectedly passed away in January 2018, a mere four months before her father. 

Despite this, Ms. LaRochelle persevered, understanding that her undergraduate and graduate success was her parents’ greatest wish. During such a difficult time, she discovered her love of public history through an internship back home with the Maine Historical Society.

Upon returning to campus for her final year, she connected with Dr. Szylvian to explore further pathways toward public history. Dr. Szylvian helped Ms. LaRochelle obtain an internship at Ellis Island, a National Park site. 

“I loved getting to meet visitors and hear their connections to immigration,” she said. 

After completing her internship, Ms. LaRochelle chose to stay on as a volunteer, deepening her passion for public history. In the summer of 2020, she became a seasonal park ranger at Sagamore Hill, where she created interpretive videos to enhance visitor experiences. This role paved the way for her two-year tenure as a Community Volunteer Ambassador for the National Parks of New York Harbor, ultimately leading to her current position.

“I am very grateful to know that I am on the right path and doing everything I have wanted to do,” she stated. 

“Ms. LaRochelle’s journey exemplifies resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of a liberal arts education,” said Dr. Szylvian. “She is committed to connecting others to history and nature, and continues to honor her parents’ legacy through her meaningful work with the NPS and the greater New York community.”