Sewanee Environmental Institute

SUMMER 2027:

Session 1 June 24 - July 3

Session 2 July 6 - 15

Session 3 July 18 - 27

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What is SEI?

The Sewanee Environmental Institute is many things: a pre-college field studies experience, a summer residential program for talented students, a camp where folks who are passionate about the outdoors and the environmental sciences meet, learn and explore for ten glorious days on the Cumberland Plateau.

Led by full-time faculty and staff at the University of the South and utilizing its 13,000-acre campus atop the ecologically diverse Cumberland Plateau, SEI provides an interdisciplinary introduction to environmental studies.

‌‌We dive into the diverse ecosystems of the Cumberland Plateau: its forests, coves, streams, lakes, wetlands, and caves. Students participate in ecological exploration with faculty by examining the landscape and its plant and animal species while discussing how people have used and changed these ecosystems over time. Students also learn about the conservation strategies currently being employed to protect the integrity of Sewanee's ecosystems into the future.‌

SEI is conducted almost exclusively in the field. In addition to field excursions with faculty, campers go hiking, canoeing, swimming, and caving. Students are outfitted with a mountain bike from Sewanee's bike library upon arrival and use the bicycles as a primary mode of transport during camp.

SEI students immerse themselves in the college experience by living communally in dorms, eating at the dining hall, and exploring campus with the SEI staff who all attend/ed Sewanee. To aid in community bonding and focus, this is a low-technology program experience. Students will not have access to their phones at most times, unless medically necessary. There is dedicated time each day for student phone use. Therefore, bringing disposable or digital cameras is strongly recommended, for this is a beautiful place brimming with life.

Who is the program for?

SEI is designed for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in all aspects of environmental studies. Students must be aged 14 - 17 for the duration of their summer session.

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SEI Application Form - Open Now for all sessions!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, approximately once a week. If you have applied and not heard back, please check your spam or junk email. Also feel free to check in with us at sei@sewanee.edu

Once accepted you will be sent an invitation to register with a deposit link to hold your space and additional forms to complete. A Financial Aid request form is included in the registration materials.

Who teaches sei?

The educators of SEI represent a top-notch team of Sewanee faculty who bring depth in their field of study and connect to each other in a true interdisciplinary fashion. Their interests and backgrounds are showcased in the seminar program schedule.

Faculty in 2024-2026 included:

Dr. Kristen Cecala, Professor of Biology‌
Dr. Eric Ezell, Professor of Earth and Environmental Systems
Dr. Martin Knoll, Professor of Geology
Dr. Stuart Marshall, Visiting Professor of Archaeology
Dr. Brian McCray, Professor of Earth and Environmental Systems, University Archaeologist
Dr. Katie McGhee, Professor of Biology
Dr. Deborah McGrath, Professor of Biology, Director of Sewanee's Pre-college Field Studies Program
Dr. Tom Powell, Professor of Earth and Environmental Systems
Dr. Matt Schrader, Professor of Biology
Dr. Emily Sharp, Professor of Anthropology
Dr. Sarah Sherwood, previous University Archaeologist
Dr. Scott Torreano, Professor of Forestry
Dr. Grady Wells, Professor of Biology
Dr. Kirk Zigler, Professor of Biology
John Benson, Director of Sewanee Outing Program
Gracie Davis, Trails Coordinator
Kevin Fouts, Wildlife Manager
Carolyn Hoagland, University Farm Manager
Sara McIntyre, Sustainability Manager
Mary Priestley, Herbarium Associate Curator
Nate Wilson, Domain Manager, interim Director of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

What are the living arrangements?

Students live communally with the camp staff in an air-conditioned University residence hall and meals are provided in the dining hall, McClurg. Typically one night will be spent sleeping under the stars and cooking out in the outer Domain. Hammocks are welcome - more details are included in the packing list.

What are the daily activities?

The days are commonly broken into a morning, afternoon and evening section. Each section is typically an outdoor activity for the whole group. Activities often involve both academic and outdoor recreational skills. Here is an example of what we did last summer.

‌What does it cost?

Tuition for summer 2027 is $2,000 - typically broken down into a $300 initial deposit to hold your space and a final payment due in June.

Tuition covers all instruction with faculty experts in their fields, activities, room and board. Limited financial aid is available on a first come first served basis. A financial aid request form is sent to everyone with their registration details. The full tuition balance is due by June 1, 2027.

Additional Cost: transportation to and from the Nashville (BNA) airport can be purchased through a private shuttle company - Groome Transportation - at an additional cost. Families must make shuttle arrangements and coordinate with the Camp Directors to ensure smooth transitions to/from campus.

Refund Policy: Students who withdraw from the SEI program before the May 18, 2027 deadline will receive a 50% tuition refund, excluding the non-refundable deposit. Refunds will not be granted for any reason if the inquiry is communicated to our office past May 18, 2027.

for Students Attending SEI 2027:

Once you have been admitted you and a parent will be sent an acceptance letter that contains links to various digital forms including: 1) registration, 2) release, 3) medical, 4) financial aid request and 5) supplemental information like dietary needs. Financial aid will be awarded on a rolling basis. Funds are limited.

Later families will be sent a travel form and a waiver form for Buggy Top cave.

Our staff is composed of 3 Co-Directors: Gracie Davis, trails coordinator; Sara McIntyre, sustainability manager; Dr Deborah McGrath, professor of biology and assistant dean of the environment; and 4 camp staffers who are current students or recent grads of Sewanee, some of whom attended SEI before matriculating to Sewanee. We have an incredible team of field instructors who are experts in their field and love taking our students onto the Domain to explore, discover, and learn.

As SEI approaches families will receive an email with the cell phone numbers of the staff and co-directors. There will be a staff member dedicated to student travel support. Parents and students will be able to contact that staff member or co-director Sara McIntyre - especially in the event of unexpected travel snafus.

Additionally, students will receive the name and contact information for their assigned roommate and suite-mates (all double rooms share a restroom/shower with an adjoining double). We have not yet been assigned our residence hall for the summer, so the suitemate arrangement may change.

When students arrive they will be greeted with name badges, a key to their room, a prox card used for meals and the library, and camp swag: tshirt, insulated stainless steel water bottle, and journal.

Families will receive a digital packet containing directions, the schedule, a map of campus, and suggestions for sightseeing and meals. SEI officially kicks-off on day 1 with a group chat and introductions by a co-director. Families are welcome to stay for introductions and then students will say goodbye to their families and join the staff for a campus tour and other activities.