About Me

Hello! I’m Nickolas Bartel, and I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I recently earned my Master of Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College with a Concentration in Environmental Policy. My work centers on building climate solutions that are practical, inclusive, and grounded in what communities need.

Before graduate school, I earned my undergraduate degree from Washington & Jefferson College, just south of Pittsburgh. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with majors in Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Spanish, along with a minor in Latin American Studies.

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica (Fall 2022)

In Fall 2022, I studied abroad in San Ramón, Costa Rica, at the University of Costa Rica’s Sede de Occidente campus. I lived with a host family and traveled throughout the country, including to Monteverde Cloud Forest (where I took the photo you see here!). I also conducted research on the cultural and institutional roots of Costa Rica’s strong national environmental ethic, using survey data and interviews in Spanish with Costa Rican government officials and environmental lawyers.

When I’m not working on policy, I enjoy nature photography, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Thanks for visiting! You can reach me anytime on LinkedIn.