Penny Drexel

Emily ’21

Land Use Steward

“Land banks tie together community vibrancy, equitable land use, economic opportunities, and affordable housing – they touch almost everything! They are absolutely the key to solving the shortage of quality affordable housing, providing increased opportunities for economic development, and keeping our communities safe and resilient. As climate change worsens, we will NEED to adapt and prepare our infrastructure, housing, and community safety nets.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Spanish
I had a wonderful experience in Allegheny’s ESS Department. There is surely no other department where students and faculty collaborate on such a high level. My ultimate experience was taking Professor Nichole Gross-Camp’s Environmental Justice Class — what an introduction into the history of the environmental justice movement! I learned so much about the intersection of class, race and the environment, and how these intersections have informed progressive policy and land use for communities across the United States.

At Work

Pittsburgh Land Bank, Assistant Manager, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Land banking is not a new tool for American cities. In fact, Meadville is working diligently to pave the way for a land bank. This quasi-public entity is well-equipped to recycle vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties. For former rust belt cities (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, the list goes on and on…) and smaller industrial cities (like Meadville!), these organizations are able to extinguish back taxes and liens on properties whose value is outweighed by the amount of liabilities on the property. Land banks are crucial to the economic vitality and wellbeing of comeback communities that have had to adapt to new economic models.

Christy ’09

Land Preservation Leader

“Ghana was a life-changing experience, and what I learned on that trip still influences a lot of my decisions today.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Art
I took an experiential learning trip with Eric Pallant and a group of students to Ghana, Africa. We traveled around the country learning about different ecotourism practices that people employed throughout each region. That was the first time that I had traveled outside of the country, and it expanded my world view significantly.

At Work

Conservation Attorney, Vermont Land Trust
I currently work for a land trust that has conserved over 11% of the state of Vermont. We hold and steward over 2,000 conservation easements in an effort to preserve active farmland, forests and community access to green space. I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Vermont Land Trust’s mission.

Sahar ’13

Environmental Justice Educator

“Professors in the environmental science department always supported student-driven inquiry.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, English
My senior year, I took classes in both Environmental Education and Environmental Justice, which really inspired my career path. I found a passion for combining these two focus areas by teaching young people about environmental justice challenges and solutions. I felt encouraged to pursue my interests and was provided with tools and resources to do so! Working as a project assistant with Creek Connections provided me with more opportunities for mentorship and real-life experience teaching youth.

At Work

Educator Consultant, King County Parks
My work is focused on supporting the next generation of environmental thinkers and leaders. I work to create career pathways for folks who have historically been left out of decision-making related to the environment. I think this plays a critical role in creating a more just and sustainable future.

Kaitlin ’05

Renewable Energy Wrangler

“Embrace being a lifelong learner, stay curious, and try to improve the world around you.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, English
I think a lot about my study tours to Yellowstone and Alaska. Getting out to experience a place and learn while being there is invaluable and an opportunity that sticks with you. Also, shout out to Professor Pallant for keeping in touch with his former students and sharing his sourdough starter. I have kept it going since 2012!

At Work

Director, Development, Renewables, NextEra Energy
The primary focus of my role is helping to develop large-scale interregional transmission infrastructure to help connect renewables to populations that need to replace older generation facilities or to address growing energy demands.

Lindsay ’05

Energy Policy Strategist

“The great sense of humor of so many of our professors made learning that much more interesting.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Political Science, Women’s Studies
I have a lot of fond memories of my classmates and professors. We would ride in those 14-passenger vans in frigid temperatures to visit saw mills and sugar bushes. And we spent time doing field work at Bousson Environmental Research Reserve. I remember chasing a professor into the parking lot just so that we could ask one last question about a group project!

At Work

Manager, Regulatory and Clean Energy Strategy Employer, Duquesne Light Company
I have recently been leading work at my company to better understand beneficial electrification as a strategy towards decarbonization. This work includes educating stakeholders and policymakers, developing customer facing programs, and understanding what will be required of the grid to meet these future needs.

Jenny ’18

Lake Erie Protector

“Varied experiences at Allegheny related to environmental history, geography, public policy, spatial analysis, and aquatic ecology are all relevant to the work I do now.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, History
Spending a partial summer in Meadville after returning from a semester abroad played a huge role in my decision to settle in Northwest PA. My favorite memories of that summer revolved around assisting Professor Casey Bradshaw-Wilson and her research colleagues in French Creek. Surveying native darters and mussels in the creek further cemented my love for this incredible waterway. Now, I reference experiences like this to showcase to elected officials and other leaders about the importance of clean water investments.

At Work

Campaign Manager for Clean Water Advocacy, PennFuture
In Erie, my focus is implementation of the Our Water, Our Future Campaign, which outlines a more sustainable future for the PA Lake Erie Watershed. I lobby elected officials at all levels for policy to protect our watershed, defend against attempts to dismantle clean water safeguards, and strive to keep our local community informed of critical developments impacting the lake.

Bennett ’17

Working Forest Champion

“I know that my work, and that of the Foundation, is making a positive difference for forest health and resilience, as well as future generations.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Community & Justice Studies
I learned to make sourdough bread in the Carr Hall kitchen with Eric Pallant, long nights spent with friends in Chris Shaffer’s GIS lab patiently waiting for software to finish computing, and working closely with Kelly Boulton to get students to cut back on their footprint during the October Energy Challenge. I also met my fiance, Jenny Tompkins, and so many other great friends, through the ES department.

At Work

Conservation and Outreach Coordinator, Foundation for Sustainable Forests
The Foundation for Sustainable Forests conserves forested land throughout northwest PA and NY and stewards the woodlands it protects as sustainable working forests. My work includes working with landowners to ensure the legacy of their woodlands through conservation, holding educational programs about sustainable forest management and stewardship, and supporting the local community through sustainably harvested forest products.

Jai ’20

Environmental Topics Translator

“I think as long as you have something to learn in your job and you enjoy the people you work with, then you’ll be successful.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Spanish
During my senior year in my comp group with Eric Pallant, our class baked cookies and it was such a fun time. Our group had gotten to know each other pretty well and we just had so much fun talking about random things and our futures. Even though at times comping was stressful, I’ll always remember that time and those people very fondly.

At Work

Social Media, The Nature Conservancy
I work for an environmental non-profit. Social media isn’t necessarily directly linked to climate change and sustainability, but since most people spend their time on various platforms, that’s where we have to talk about these very important topics. I see my work as a way to translate information about climate change/biodiversity loss into easier, more digestible information people can understand and take action on.

Leah ’18

Wetland Wonder Woman

“The best part of Allegheny as a whole was the way we could explore the intersections between fields of study. This focus on connections very much lends itself to real world application.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Political Science, German
I’ll always remember the fun times we all had in Colorado with professor Scott Wissinger and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory crew!

At Work

Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I work on conservation and restoration on private lands, focusing on wetland habitat restoration, which means that we can make an immediate and substantive impact on the landscape with our work. There are tons of opportunities in the environmental field that focus more on applying good science to management and conservation, which are not always emphasized as much as the purely academic, grad school route. If you want to pursue environmental science, you don’t have to go into research.

Sandra ’10

Science Efficiency Expert

“I take the same approach as my Allegheny professors when I manage undergraduate and graduate students on my team now.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Pipe Organ
The professors in the ES department were life-changing for me, in their support and helping me find a direction. Professor Rich Bowden was my advisor, and I also worked summers in his lab processing root soil samples and collecting data. Rich made a huge impression on me, because he was very kind and very critical. Details were super important, and each person on a project felt valued and supported by him.

At Work

Lab Coordinator, Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab, Cornell University
While my lab is working in sustainable agriculture research, my focus is quite often on the people doing the work. I try to champion that we need to take care of ourselves and help newcomers to the lab feel welcomed. I made a massive online folder of all our lab’s protocols, called the Protocol Compile Pile, which anyone can access anytime when they need to do a sampling method. I listen to students who are frustrated and need a compassionate ear. I encourage questions and create an environment where everyone should feel comfortable asking a question.