I took a non-traditional path to Ross with career interests spanning aquatic ecology and youth environmental education. After graduating from college, I spent four years working as a youth programs manager at National Park Trust, an environmental nonprofit in the Washington, DC area. This led directly to my decision to pursue a master's degree at Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), where I became involved in a long-term student consulting project with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources looking at revitalization strategies for Michigan's most environmentally degraded areas. Through this project, I saw an incredible opportunity to engage the private sector in community revitalization, particularly with energy, infrastructure, and public sector partnerships. As a SEAS student for the past two years, I have witnessed the overall excellence of Ross's program, including collaborative learning, diverse student perspectives, and action-learning opportunities. I am beyond excited to be a member of the Ross class of 2021. Ask me about living in Ann Arbor, cross-campus engagement, and the amazing Great Lakes!