Alumni Stories

Lynne ’95

Government Affairs Professional

“Each step of the way throughout my career was intentional and had one common denominator: ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens through influential advocacy on matters of public policy. This is my passion. And it began in Dr. Bensel’s class.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Economics
I was a senior in a class related to public policy and environmental studies. A fellow student was known for being very active in class discussions and passionate about the subject, but he sometimes would angrily lecture the rest of the class, which was quite off-putting. I learned that getting people to change their behavior to adopt best practices was as much about the delivery as it is about the education and facts.

At Work

Director, Policy & Practice, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
Fast forward 29 years. A large part of my job is to help the members of my professional society educate public policymakers, health policy influencers, and other collaborators so that new laws and regulations are based on evidence-based data and science that is supported by a consensus of subject matter experts. To be successful, I, with the support of my organization’s leadership, must build relationships and craft messaging that can be heard without hostility and holds room for constructive debate.

Jennifer ’16

Youth Education Advocate

“Find what energizes you, work hard, strive to improve, support and encourage others, communicate clearly, let the little things go, and try to find the fun in everything you do!”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Studio Art
Throughout my time at Allegheny, I helped run an aquaponics system — I learned how to fix water pumps, treat nutrient deficiencies in the plants, keep the system clean, raise baby fish, treat injured fish, and germinate, grow, and harvest plants. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was when Professor Eric Pallant asked me to draft an inventory of the current aquaponics supplies and make a budget for supplies that needed to be ordered in the future. The challenge set me up for success down the road; he trusted my expertise as someone who had been working on the system and made me believe in my ability to take on large projects and have them succeed.

At Work

Youth Climate Advocacy Committee Coordinator, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
My current role is coordinating Phipps Conservatory’s Youth Climate Advocacy Committee and EcoLeader Academy summer program. These programs provide opportunities for high school and college-age youth to advance their knowledge of sustainability, the environment, climate change, and environmental and climate justice through hands-on activities, discussions, and presentations from experts in these fields, and working on climate action or environmental justice projects of their choice. I am so honored to be able to provide support, resources, and funding for these brilliant students to tackle the issues they find most important. They inspire me every day with what they accomplish.

Both programs fall under a larger project called the Climate Toolkit, which was founded by Phipps and offers a platform for institutions to share what is or is not working for them and ask for assistance and knowledge.

Hannah ’17

Electric Mobility Developer

“I’ve learned how to have conversations and communicate sustainability topics with diverse stakeholders in a way that is balanced and productive.”

At Allegheny

Environmental Studies, Global Health Studies
My most memorable ES class was Eric Pallant’s Soil to Plate course. Filled with a variety of field trips from a dairy farm to a chicken farm to a frozen food manufacturer, we explored the food industry from top to bottom. I gained a deeper appreciation for small farmers in our region and the amount of work and planning it takes to run a farm, and it sparked a new interest to explore sustainable agriculture, food access and equity, and food economics. It all informed my Comp, which focused on hydroponics, as well as my first job after graduating working on the French Creek Food Hub.

At Work

Project Developer, Transportation Electrification, Duquesne Light Company
Working for an electric utility with a grid that’s default generation is 70% carbon free, I feel like I am directly helping customers and the Pittsburgh region experience the benefits of electric mobility. The work my team is doing is helping to improve local air quality and the health of region. One project I managed was a charging installation for one of the first electric school bus deployments in our territory. Now I know those kids are no longer breathing in harmful emissions on their daily commute to school.

Carolyn ’73

Environmental Safety Pioneer

“That brand new ‘Aquatic Environments’ major 50 years ago has grown into an amazing program! So proud to be its first graduate.”

At Allegheny

Aquatic Environments
I was one of many potential biology majors when Dr. Sam Harrison approached me with the chance to be part of a new major called “Aquatic Environments.” One of the objectives of the new major was to prepare graduates to enter the growing environmental field right out of college. It worked for me. Two weeks after graduation, I was hired by an environmental consulting firm doing studies on Lake Ontario. After two years, I earned a Masters in Environmental Engineering. Thank you Sam!

At Work

Environmental Safety Staff, Johnson & Johnson
I worked on a corporate team responsible for the health and safety of employees as well as compliance with federal and state regulations.

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.