Noa Greenspan ’23, English

Noa Greenspan ’23

Major

English

Project Title

Writing With the National Center for Frontier Communities

Presentation Link

View Noa's Presentation

Certificate(s): Environmental Studies

I spent the summer in New Mexico writing about frontier issues for the National Center for Frontier Communities (NCFC), which advocates for areas of the country that are rural, sparsely populated, and far from urban centers. Although the frontier is incredibly diverse, communities face several common challenges, including long distances from health care services, precarious broadband infrastructure, and sometimes a lack of access to fresh, healthy foods. The NCFC advocates for frontier-related policies, provides educational materials about frontier communities, and works to strengthen the regional food system through its Food Hub program. This internship was an exciting challenge for me — I’ve been hooked on environmental journalism since my freshman spring at Princeton, and I felt eager to learn directly from community members. A highlight was when I spoke with legislators who recently created an official position in the state government to advocate for rural equity. Another memorable moment involved meeting with young and beginning farmers around New Mexico to hear their perspectives on the risks of a career in agriculture. I’m grateful to have met so many local leaders who are working to make New Mexico’s rural and frontier communities resilient.