What is your previous work experience?

During undergrad, I had internships at the Department of Energy and Chesapeake Bay Program, and worked at the Maryland Sea Grant during my junior and senior year. The summer after graduation, I worked as an environmental educator at the National Aquarium. I've spent the past year working at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Maryland, doing everything from wetland ecology research to leading volunteer groups and education programs.

Why did you choose the Nicholas School?

I wanted to attend graduate school to prepare me for a career in building climate resilience in coastal areas. After attending the Nicholas School’s virtual session, I knew that the MEM CEM was the ideal program for me. I was drawn to the Nicholas School and the CEM program because I knew it would provide me with the expertise and experiences that I need to further coastal adaptation and resilience. Completing my coursework and Master’s Project during my second year as a CEM student at the Marine Lab will allow me to further my understanding of the complex interactions between people and coastal ecosystems and allow me to gain hands-on experience in tackling these real-world challenges.

What are you looking forward to as a new Nicholas School student?

I'm looking forward to so many things as a new student! I'm very excited to learn new skills and take some of the interesting courses that the Nicholas School offers. I'm also looking forward to becoming part of the Nicholas School community--everyone is already very welcoming, and being around so many passionate people who are dedicated to solving pressing environmental issues both motivates me and gives me hope.    

Do you have any areas of interest or special focus you will undertake during your time at the Nicholas School?

During my time at the Nicholas School, I'm planning to focus on coastal environmental management, with a concentration in estuaries, wetlands, and coastal water quality. I'm particularly interested in learning more about climate resilience in coastal areas, and how wetland protection and restoration can be used to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. I also hope to strengthen my GIS and field skills, as well as pursue a certificate in Community Based Environmental Management.

What plans do you have for your career after the Nicholas School?

After I graduate, I hope to work as a coastal resilience planner, addressing the impacts of climate change on coastal communities through increasing coastal resilience. I hope to work with communities to develop collaborative solutions that strengthen their resilience to sea level rise and increased storm frequency and severity. With this work, I hope to foster environmental stewardship in coastal areas and protect both the ecological communities and the people that live there.