Q
Did you come to Hamilton intending to major in this field? If not, what changed your mind?
I did not! Upon graduating high school, I thought I wanted to be a clinical psychologist. I planned to major in psychology and Hispanic studies. During my first semester at Hamilton, I joined the Harvest program, and I was hired as a program manager at the beginning of my second semester. Both Harvest and my first environmental studies course opened my eyes to the field — when I discovered this area of study, it was love at first sight.
Q
Who are your mentors/supporters on campus?
My biggest academic mentor is Professor Aaron Strong. We’ve collaborated on many sustainability initiatives, and he’s currently advising my thesis project. Brian Hansen and Sara Soika from the Office of Environmental Protection, Safety, and Sustainability also have been instrumental in opening my eyes to the field of higher education sustainability. I interned for [them] during two summers and worked under their supervision for two years as a Hamilton sustainability coordinator.
Q
Have you done any research with faculty in environmental studies/sustainability?
Last summer, I was selected for the Levitt Summer Fellowship Program. I was awarded a grant to complete higher education decarbonization research with Professor Strong and Professor Alex Barron at Smith College.
Q
What other Hamilton experiences have influenced you and helped you to “Know Thyself?”
I participated in the Levitt Center’s Justice Lab during the fall 2025 semester. Our class trip to California and Nevada exemplified the importance of experiential learning at Hamilton. After learning about renewable energy and climate policy for the first 12 weeks of the semester, we spent five days meeting with climate professionals in academia, local government, and energy companies on the West Coast.
Q
What experiences at Hamilton helped you decide, or solidified your decision, to pursue an MS in environmental policy?
I’m very fortunate to have received a full scholarship to attend graduate school at Clarkson University. During the two summers I spent as a sustainability intern, I connected with current students and employees at Clarkson. The master’s in environmental policy degree at Clarkson is also an interdisciplinary program, which highlights the kind of collaborative and multifaceted learning environment that has been most meaningful to me at Hamilton.
Posted May 20, 2026
