
Marcus joined The Woods Project team in July 2023 and is a TWP alumnus. A native Houstonian, Marcus graduated from Rice University in May 2021 with a degree in Sociocultural Anthropology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and is fascinated by the relationships between personal and cultural ties of people to the natural world all around us. Marcus’ capstone research in his senior year explored specifically how underrepresented groups of people can find significance and belonging in the outdoors, and how outdoor recreation and spaces can become more accessible to anyone who is curious about what benefits outdoor adventures can have.
Before joining TWP, Marcus was a barista at various Houston coffee shops for 5 years and gained meaningful experience in customer service and a passion for making great espresso drinks. Right after graduation, Marcus spent 12 weeks interning at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia working alongside interpretive park rangers and park visitors, ensuring everyone was able to enjoy the trails, beauty, and education that the park had to offer. Besides Shenandoah, Marcus has been able to trip lead and visit many places in Texas and around the country through TWP and Rice’s outdoor recreation program – from the Smoky Mountains, Donner Pass, Glacier NP, Big Bend, and the Apostle Islands, he is eager to continue exploring places in Texas and beyond.
Outside of work, Marcus loves practicing yoga, listening to his vinyl collection, hanging out with friends and cooking the occasional meal together, volunteering at KTRU (Rice’s student-run radio station), and enjoying a nice flat white with a book at any local coffee shop on the weekends. Marcus’ passion for the outdoors began with The Woods Project about a decade ago, and he is very excited to have the opportunity to give those same meaningful and long-lasting experiences to its current student participants in any ways he can.
marcus@thewoodsproject.org