Allegheny College

Klancey ’16

Environmental Justice Warrior

“I now do things like grow some of my own food, plant native species in my yard, and am scheming how to get rid of my grass lawn in favor of something more beneficial to the ecosystem of my area.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Economics
Allegheny’s Environmental Science & Sustainability experience not only gave me the tools to get into a meaningful career, but also impacted how I see and interact with the world around me.

At Work

Clean Water Collaborator, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
In the past two years, I’ve managed over $151 million dollars across nearly 40 wastewater infrastructure projects providing both upgrades to and new service of wastewater treatment to the citizens of West Virginia. This work has helped bring environmental justice to some of the country’s most impoverished areas, including a brand new facility in the Coalwood area of McDowell County, WV.

Zoie ’14

Ocean Plastic Fighter

“I had a wonderful time in my Coastal Science and Management class, which included a spring break trip to Cape Cod. While the class was challenging for me, it sparked a lifelong interest in marine science.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Philosophy
I can’t say enough about my experience as a double major in environmental science and philosophy, and my associated Senior Comp, which sparked my interest in interdisciplinary research. For my Comp, a professor at the Duke Marine Lab — who I ended up working with during my Ph.D. — mailed marine worms to me at Allegheny. I also had great internship experiences with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and BNY Mellon in environmental sciences.

At Work

Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow, Plastic Pollution Researcher, University of Toronto
I recently earned my Ph.D. at Duke University. My research focused on multi sector mitigation of plastic pollution from governments, businesses, and biologists. I’m beginning a Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship, a prestigious Canadian fellowship, at the University of Toronto. I’ll be working in Dr. Chelsea Rochman’s lab, who is a world leader in microplastic research, and with partners at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Ocean Conservancy.

Kyle ’16

Renewable Energy Harnesser

“I knew that the environment played a role in everyone’s day-to-day life, but my courses gave me a better understanding of just how much it shapes the world we live in. ”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Political Science
I went into college not knowing what GIS was, and after a few classes I knew that I wanted to make it my career. One class that always sticks with me was Eric Pallant’s course on the environment, culture, society, and politics. I had never thought about world political issues through the lens of the environment. I can firmly say that it changed how I view the world today.

At Work

Green Energy Developer, Exus Management Partners
I am currently helping develop projects on the sites of old coal power plants. We are working with a company out of Portugal that builds data centers for long haul fiber optic networks. They want to build on these locations and power them using renewable energy. Our role at my company is to help find and develop these locations and create the plans to build solar and wind farms to power them. Turning a once fossil fuel power plant into a green powered information center.

Naisy ’16

Driverless Vehicle Pioneer

“We pride ourselves on developing self driving vehicles that are safe, accessible and reliable, including technology for those with hearing impairments, mobility issues, or the visually impaired.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Science, Psychology
I remember in my Insect Ecology class, we were learning about sustainable food sources. One of the topics was insects as a sustainable food source. In one of our classes we cooked insects and ate them! We made mealworm cookies, cricket pesto, sautéed mealworms, and more!

At Work

Autonomous Vehicle Operations Manager, Motional
I did not plan on finding a career in the autonomous vehicle industry — I first graduated with an environmental science degree with proficiency in GIS. Thanks to a friend in my GIS Comp group, I was connected with a recruiter at Uber Advanced Technologies Group as a contracted map production specialist for autonomous vehicles. I worked my way up the ladder to map quality specialist, production coordinator, fleet operations Lead, and eventually became AV testing operations manager.

Will ’14

Environmental Ideas Influencer

“My inspiration to ignite new perspectives around the globe is grounded in the environment, communities, and our future leaders.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Values Ethics & Social Action
When I came to Allegheny, I was undecided about what I wanted to do. Thanks to Wendy Kedzierski and TJ Eatmon, I found a path that worked for me. These two mentors influenced how I approach my work, life, and play. Wendy taught me the practical skills of being a leader and having a vision within nonprofits. How to plan, budget for time/money, and how to stay true to the mission while centering people, joy, and community. I will never forget school visits, Creek Camps, and hellbender hunting. TJ was my mentor and taught me environmental education, aquaponics, and tactful writing, and how to navigate systems to set me up for success in life.

At Work

Intersectional Education Consultant, Will Tolliver, Jr., LLC
I have collaborated on various projects around the country which have allowed me to exercise and refine my professional skills – grant writing, project implementation and management, curriculum development, event planning, marketing and engagement, tutoring and mentoring, and incubating new ideas. My goal is to share my passion for the environment, education, and social justice with everyone I encounter and to amplify the stories of those who have been denied a voice. It is my hope to build new collaborations and partnerships and to guide those who wish to engage and educate their audiences in innovative ways.

Allyson ’96

Biodiversity Initiative Superhero

“I always felt like my ES classes provided a sort of academic yoga — the professors were always asking us to stretch our minds to consider beyond what we saw and knew in front of us.”

At Allegheny

International Studies, Environmental Studies, French
I was taught to consider other factors (bio/chemical, economic, political, cultural, temporal, individual and/or communal interests, etc.), and any potential impacts those might produce in any given scenario. The extracurricular activities available at Allegheny provide important interactions and skills that bolster the academic ones. My involvement in Habitat for Humanity and Model U.N. was as big a part of my motivation for joining the Peace Corps after graduation and pursuing sustainable development work with the U.N., as were my academic interests.

At Work

International Consultant for Project Design and Evaluation, United Nations Agencies
I work with United Nations agencies on sustainable development, specifically, project design and evaluation of biodiversity conservation initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Forestry, Soil, and Climate

Some Allegheny College environmental science faculty have been researching, teaching, and implementing changes over time that entire data sets have shifted, new vocabulary introduced, and powerful technology has accelerated actionable advances in the field.

When professor Rich Bowden started at the college in 1990, knowledge around the threats of climate change to the planet was growing among the academic and scientific communities. Today, students seek out Allegheny because they have an established understanding of and interest in studying the issue more than ever.

Professor Bowden’s focus has been on one of the key elements of climate — the emission of carbon and the ability of soil and forests to harness it. To research the best ways to maximize the carbon benefits of forest soil, Bowden’s classes get their hands dirty in the 300 acres of research reserve owned by Allegheny, the Bousson Experimental Forest, and many research centers around the world. Bowden works very closely with Professor Eric Pallant, who is recognized as Allegheny’s premier soils expert and advocate. Pallant’s students regularly cite their time with him as deeply impactful.

In turn, Allegheny College students have played a role in the evolution of forest management. From a world-class chemist in Toronto to wheat farmers in Nebraska, field work is done in tandem with professionals who benefit from students’ work.