STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
It would be nearly impossible to convey the impact my professors had on my life. I decided to become a professor because I wanted to pass on that same encouragement, intellectual curiosity, confidence, global perspective and belief in the possibility of a better world.
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I am more proud of these testimonials than anything else in my portfolio and they inspire me to continue on this path...
Maggie Lee - University of Vermont-RSENR, Class of 2021
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"Dr. Mach was a great advisor to have for my first research experience. He pressed our group to reach our own conclusions and take ownership of our work in a way I think few undergraduates are. From this research experience abroad, I’ve discovered a passion at the intersection of social science research and the natural world and have taken this passion back to my home institution where I’m currently working on a senior capstone thesis on environmental values. Further, the empowering way Dr. Mach made me think about my research has helped me find the confidence to apply to graduate school, something I was previously on the fence about."
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Sarah Bayer - University of Vermont, Class of 2021
Dr. Mach’s Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values class was one of the most impactful educational experiences I have had. From the outset, Leon made every student feel comfortable engaging in group discussions by referring to us as PILPS (Partners in the Learning Process). He further cultivated a comfortable learning space by being compassionate, humble, and lighthearted. I have always found that the best educators are those who are deeply passionate about what they are teaching. Leon arrived to every class excited for our discussions. It is impossible to not get excited about the class content when you have a professor like him. He encouraged critical thinking skills and acknowledged complexities and nuances in the issues we discussed. He was able to eloquently explain historical, political, and economic concepts that were at the root of environmental and social challenges, and was able to deliver this complex material in a digestible way. His assignments all required critical thinking and were exciting to work on. Leon’s class opened my eyes to new perspectives on global issues, and for that I am deeply grateful. He cares about each and every one of his students - he helped me land a competitive Americorps fellowship. Not only did he help me get the job, but he connected me with some of his friends in the city I’m moving to in case I get into a jam or have any questions about the city. It is evident that Leon is a lifelong learner and his passion for teaching is inspiring. Any student would be lucky to take a class with him and I am fortunate to have him as a mentor.
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Andrei Pinkus - Wesleyan University, Class of 2021
"Leon Mach is one of the most impactful professors I've had the privilege of learning from. The lessons he taught me were not limited to the classroom, and I carry them with me today. He is a professor students can relate to because he is candid, humble, and open-minded, but most importantly, he trusts and empowers his students by letting them make their own judgements, and mistakes. With his support, my directed research group not only conducted graduate-level research, but was accepted to present our findings at an international tourism conference and submitted a manuscript for publication (acceptance pending). I am incredibly proud of these accomplishments and grateful for the guidance, mentorship, and lifelong wisdom Leon continues to provide me today. Never could I have expected to form such a special bond and accomplish such great things with a professor after a single semester abroad, but I am happy to say that is exactly what happened."
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Sasha Mizenin - University of California, Berkeley, Class of 2021
Dr. Mach approaches students as collaborators, creating a comfortable and open space for learning inside and outside of the classroom. It was his compassion and understanding that lead me to share about my hopes and dreams with research and potential career opportunities. His encouragement and support remain vital.
Aside from being an amazing and profound teacher, he was also a motivational research advisor! My team and I worked collaboratively with Indigenous Ngöbe Communities, researching their Sustainable Indigenous Tourism enterprises. We were then selected to present this research at The World Indigenous Tourism Summit in Perth, Australia, and currently have this research publication pending with the Tourism Review International journal.
Working with Leon gave me the tools I needed to start my thesis journey with the Ohlone peoples in the San Francisco Bay Area. In short, I am so thankful I had Leon to guide my first field research endeavor!
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Bronya Lechtman - Colby College, Class of 2020
"I have been unbelievably lucky to have had Leon Mach as a professor and mentor. He goes above and beyond to make sure his students get as much out of their research as possible. As part of his directed research team in the SFS TIBS program in Panama, I was always amazed by how much work Leon was willing to put in during and after the 2019 spring semester to guide us towards the goal of publishing our research. Because of his commitment, my research group presented at the 4th Caribbean-International Tourism Conference at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. It was such a special opportunity, especially because we were the only undergraduates at the conference! He was the first professor I've had that's helped me feel empowered about the value of my voice as an academic and I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from him."
Rachel Gates, Barnard College of Columbia University, Class of 2020
During my first class with Leon, he said he'd turn at least one of us onto social science. I scoffed internally, having thought of myself as a "hard science" person. As it turns out, I'm now one of the converts. I ended up in a directed research group under Leon's guidance and practiced qualitative methods while studying Indigenous tourism practices in Bocas del Toro. My group went on to publish our findings as a chapter in a volume on community-based tourism, an incredible opportunity that Leon shared with us and supported. Leon expected me to do my best work as a student and wasn't hesitant to acknowledge when I came up short. I will forever be grateful for his mentorship and anyone would be lucky to be in his classroom.
Carly Winner - University of Wisconsin, Class of 2020
"As a K-8 educator myself, Leon encompasses all the important qualities of a brilliant educator and mentor. Leon encouraged thoughtful thinking in the classroom that linked students to current societal issues through case examples, class discussions, and "in-field" activities with community members. During my time as one of Leon's students, it was clear he had a passion for providing educational experiences that related to students and the broader global society. These close community connections pushed me and two of my fellow peers to continue working on the research that we started under Leon's guidance. Through this process, Leon provided encouragement and support through the process of scientific writing several months beyond our semester program until it obtained publication in the Journal of Tourism Management. Leon's willingness to support his students beyond the classroom and typical curriculum is unmatched"
Camila Rojas, St. Edward's University, Class of 2020
Leon’s Environmental Policy class and research guidance significantly shaped my professional career and goals. My perspective on sustainability and environmentalism shifted during my study abroad program with Dr. Mach as my research advisor. He always encouraged us to ask ourselves, sustainable for who? I had never considered the power of social science before taking his class, and his guidance during field work encouraged me to continue pursuing a career in academics with a focus on tourism and social justice.
Beyond the classroom, Leon has been an excellent advisor and mentor. After my semester abroad was over, two of my fellow peers and I continued working on our research paper under his guidance. This study was presented at the National Environmental Research Symposium in Maryland as well as published in the Journal of Tourism Management. This experience was pivotal - we learned a lot from the process of making our paper publishable and working as a team to make it happen. Being published in a high ranking journal opened the doors to further my professional career. I am grateful to continue having Leon as a mentor as I pursue my M.S. at the University of Georgia.
Olivia Lopez - University of Wisconsin-Madison class of 2020
It was truly a privilege to have had Dr. Mach as a professor and Directed Research (DR) mentor while spending a semester in Panama with the School for Field Studies. His lectures were always unique in that they felt more like a discussion, as he kept students engaged and encouraged productive conversation. As part of his DR team, I appreciated the way in which Dr. Mach made me feel as though he was confident in my ability as a researcher. I believe that his methods of teaching significantly contributed to my growth as an independent learner. He has also been willing to support me in my work and share resources after I completed the SFS program. Overall, Dr. Mach has been one of the most effective and memorable professors that I have had the pleasure of collaborating with as an undergraduate student and young professional.
Frankie Gerraty - Whitman College Class of 2019
"Dr. Leon Mach navigates the world with an infectious curiosity and deep sense of care for those who surround him. Students who take his courses (like myself) are invited to grow both personally and intellectually—inside and outside of the classroom.
I have known Leon since 2017 as a professor, as a research supervisor, and as a mentor. Throughout these experiences I have been continually impressed by his exemplary balance of academic rigor, humility, and leadership. He has undoubtedly transformed my career trajectory by encouraging me not to shy away from research that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. Because of this mentorship, I plan on pursuing a career in transdisciplinary ecological research.
Most importantly, Leon exemplifies a life guided by both passion and joy. For this reason amongst many others, he is outstanding role model for all of us.
Diana Tapia, University of Wisconson-Madison, Class of 2020
Dr. Mach created a space where students could think critically about tourism impacts by having open conversations with other students. I also had the opportunity to conduct a group research project and research paper under the mentorship of Dr. Leon Mach. Throughout the process he motivated us and provided us valuable feedback through his own experiences. His personal connections with the Indigenous communities in Bocas del Toro shows how he cares about the impact of his research. This has inspired me to create connections with others while pursing my own research interests.
Rita Flanagan, University of Pittsburgh, Class of 2021
Within a matter of months, Dr. Mach inspired me to pursue subject matter I am passionate about, empowered me to put my best work forward, and guided me through the process of conducting and presenting research on Sustainable Indigenous Tourism. He cultivated an instructive and inclusive classroom setting, successfully balancing his expertise with students’ curiosity and creativity. Personally, I really appreciated Dr. Mach’s hands-off, yet dedicated approach to student research—he willingly supported my team and I every step of the way without controlling our process. This made for an incredible learning experience that had quite the impact on both my academic and personal life. Thanks to Dr. Mach’s constructive and enthusiastic guidance, my team and I look forward to publishing our research findings in an academic journal and presenting our work at an international conference. I have also begun volunteering for a non-profit dedicated to the development of Indigenous communities and am excited to pursue social science research as I head into graduate school.
Anastasia Furnari, Franklin & Marshall College, Class of 2020
As both my Professor and Directed Research Advisor, Leon’s impact on my academic journey is unmatched. The intersectionality of his course taught me to understand environmental challenges in ways I had never thought of before. Our time working with indigenous communities in Bocas del Toro ignited my passion for environmental justice. Leon’s teaching style walks the perfect line between ‘hands-on’ and 'hands-off’, guiding his students to engage with concepts and draw their own conclusions without being overbearing. As a Research Advisor, he gave me my first taste of socio-ecological fieldwork and challenged my group to meet a high academic standard, while still allowing us plenty of space to design and carry out our study as our own. Leon’s passion for his work and friendly, approachable demeanor are contagious, and I am fortunate to have him as a mentor.
Miriam Stein, Swarthmore College, Class of 2021
Leon was a passionate, enthusiastic, creative, and impactful professor. His class left me curious and excited about the topics he introduced and changed the way I look at many aspects of the world. His classes were engaging. He made me feel comfortable talking and participating in class while pushing me to think critically and in new ways. The coursework allowed me to work on projects and writing that were different than what I'd done before. They made me feel more confident and excited about what I was learning, and they taught me practical writing skills applicable to the future. Leon's class, ultimately, informed what I want to do going forward and he's been a great resource for me since then. He's helped me come up with ideas for what kind of work I'd like to do and has helped me to pursue job opportunities.