Hannah Falcone and Kate Moscouver win UNH's Public Engagement and Outreach award
Two Recreation Management and Policy graduate students have recently been recognized with UNH’s Graduate Public Engagement and Outreach Award, highlighting their contributions to youth engagement initiatives across the Granite State.
RMP students Kate Moscouver and Hannah Falcone partnered with Stay Work Play NH, a NH nonprofit dedicated to retaining young talent in the state. Their research, involving 11 focus groups and insights from 127 high school students, sheds light on young residents' perceptions of New Hampshire and future aspirations.
Building on What Makes New Hampshire a Great Place to Live
Moscouver and Falcone’s research reveals a strong appreciation among youth for New Hampshire's beautiful landscapes and tight-knit communities, especially the state's unbeatable opportunities for hiking, skiing, and its proximity to both mountains and the ocean. Their findings suggest potential to support young peoples’ enjoyment of these features.
Other focus group participants pointed to their appreciation of technical courses and out-of-school experiential learning, while others expressed interest in cultural exchanges, which they currently find beyond state borders.
"I think incorporating more of those types of opportunities into the school setting would be really beneficial because that way you can satiate student desire to try new things and to spread their wings,” Moscouver says.
Falcone says she was impressed by the enthusiasm and insights of New Hampshire's high school students. "The students were as excited as Kate and I were about having these conversations about their hometowns, their schools, and their communities,” she says.
Personal Impact and Vision for the Future
The research has not only contributed to statewide youth initiatives but also enriched the professional paths of both researchers. Falcone, now a media and events program manager at Hanover Park & Recreation, leverages these insights to develop community-centered programs that resonate with young residents. Meanwhile, Moscouver plans to apply her experience in outdoor recreation and education towards youth-oriented educational roles in Ohio, aiming to replicate and adapt her learnings to benefit other communities.
