Major & specialization area:
I will wrap up my undergraduate career with a degree in Natural Resources (Honors Bachelor of Science) and a specialization in Marine and Freshwater Conservation. I designed this Marine and Freshwater Conservation specialization because of my interests in wetland, stream, and coastal ecosystems. The College of Forestry approved this ISO design, and since then, I have taken a diverse array of courses–learning how to solve complex coastal resource problems from protected area conservation planning to near-water forest ecosystem dynamics. In addition to the Natural Resources degree, I selected a minor in Sustainability, where I focused on sustainable development and nature-based solutions that urban centers might use to conserve critical freshwater resources for biodiversity retention.

Why did you choose your degree program/major?
After meeting with Beth Thompson and Nicole Kent at a College of Forestry open house in 2019, I signed my major declaration form with imperishable intent. Beth and Nicole met me with such open arms and kindness, and after their sharp introductions to the Natural Resources major, I knew what to do. I chose this major because I wanted to effectuate socio-political change within the disciplines of environmental management, coastal ecology, and sustainable development, especially throughout federally-governed natural areas. The College of Forestry works at the nexus of controversiality, as humans have deep interests and attachments to natural resources, which unearth a lot of animosities. Approaching environmental antagonism with open-mindedness sums up my College of Forestry experience, and each member of this interdisciplinary network has invested themselves in some position, where they undoubtedly pioneer new ways to address problems.

What’s the best experience you’ve had as a student?
I took two courses that transformed the lens that I look through regarding land and seascape management. Dr. Ashley D’Antonio’s installment of TRAL 357 (Parks and Protected Area Management) repeatedly blew my mind, as she lectured on conservation philosophies, recreation management considerations in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, and how to address global-scale disturbances such as elevated temperatures. When you choose to take a course with Dr. D’Antonio, you will take another, and that may not make sense now, but it will after your day-one lecture. Dr. Holly Campbell teaches a series of Honors College, Public Policy, and Fisheries and Wildlife courses, most of which rely on a cardinal thesis: contemporary strategies of sustainable development. Ocean Law (FW 422) taught me how to classify and analyze tempestuous marine issues, such as clean energy harvesting, marine mammal population health, non-point chemical pollution, and mitigating sea-level rise via robust policies. Taking a course with Dr. Campbell will open your eyes to a suite of coastal and marine-related natural and energy resource issues, all of which eventually influence community livability and social capital.

What’s one thing (or piece of advice) that you would like incoming OSU students to know?
One salient piece of advice I would give to incoming Oregon State University students is to keep an open heart when it comes to academic clubs, research opportunities, and friendships. I came into the College of Forestry and Honors College with an open mind and heart, and I did not invest myself in one focal discipline, pathway, or social circle. Instead, I walked through every door with an open perspective, which allowed me to connect to multiple disciplines, friend groups, research appointments, and faculty members. Although it feels trite to say, I suggest getting involved with as much as possible at the beginning of your undergraduate career, then gradually paring down your list of appointments and activities. Enjoy OSU, these years will lead to a lot of joyousness!

What are your plans after graduation?
I will attend Yale University this Fall! I am excited to experience Southern New England, specifically New Haven, which sits on the Long Island Sound, a beautiful estuary. As an environmental management graduate student with an emphasis on urban coastal disturbance ecology, I will continue to learn about how humans, environments, and species relationships shape and structure ecosystem persistence. I plan to research coastal ecosystem disturbances, specifically in marshes, and beaches–in relation to socio-ecological systems. Using some of the research themes that I worked with in Ashley D’Antonio’s lab, revolving around recreation ecology, human disturbances, and species composition, I designed two new studies to deploy on the Southern Connecticut coastline. To the Atlantic coast, I come!

Major:
Natural Resources with an option in Policy and Management, minor in Soil Science

Why did you choose your degree program/major? 
I have been immersed in the outdoors since I was a child, and growing up in a timber town I had a vested interest in environmental policy and management decisions with a special interest in forestry. I chose to pursue Natural Resources over Forestry because I sought more knowledge in a multidisciplinary education after I volunteered for the South Santiam Watershed Council and discovered a passion for watershed management.

What’s the best experience you’ve had as a student?
My favorite professor is Dr. Vernita Ediger from the department of Forest Ecosystems & Society in the College of Forestry. Her career experience has enhanced my understanding of course material, and she has generously provided career assistance and additional opportunities.

Have you participated in any experiential learning opportunities? How has this impacted your student experience?
I have worked at the OSU Research Forest for the last two years under Forest Manager Brent Klumph as a forestry technician. This student position has provided me with invaluable knowledge and work experience that has given me many opportunities following graduation.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will be working for the South Fork John Day Watershed Council as a Watershed Technician over the summer. After this summer, I will be serving in the Coast Guard.

What’s one thing (or piece of advice) that you would like incoming OSU students to know?
I advise students to get a planner and write everything down you need to do and to hold a consistent schedule. If you think you will remember it, you won’t.

Have you received any scholarships from OSU or the College of Forestry? If so, what has it helped you accomplish?
I have received a multitude of scholarships from OSU and the College of Forestry. I have a very small student loan, and I have worked throughout the duration of college to pay whatever scholarships did not cover. Earning scholarships has allowed me to be nearly debt-free following college and has allowed me to have flexibility in my work hours so that I could focus on my education. I am very grateful to have received these scholarships, particularly the Larry Hoffman Scholarship and Crahane Scholarship.

What are your go-to snacks?
Motts fruit snacks, apples (Koru), dried mango from Costco, and chewy granola bars from Costco.

Anything else would you like to share?
I think it is important to push yourself in college, to find new people, to experience new things, to work hard, and to find what you are truly interested in to develop into a complete person. I wish I would have done more in my first few years of college, and over my junior and senior years I have found a good group of friends I can count on, I am confident in my life trajectory, and I have developed professional relationships with industry leaders and OSU faculty. Beginning early opens so many more doors and gives students choices both during their time in an undergraduate program and afterward.

Major & specialization area:
Natural Resources Policy & Management

Why did you choose your degree program/major? 
My 20-year career in public affairs has specialized in land-use entitlements – engaging in decisions on how, where and why humans should be allowed to develop the land. Many of my work experiences involved stakeholders taking adversarial positions, as well as balancing economic and ecological values.  I chose OSU’s program on Natural Resources Policy & Management to increase my understanding of the complex environmental issues facing our world today, as well as develop my skills in collaboration and consensus building. 

What’s the best experience you’ve had as a student?
The best experiences I’ve had at OSU include the relationships that I have developed with advisors, instructors, and fellow students. The Ecampus platform allows for meaningful engagement, and I truly felt part of the OSU community. Beyond that I was grateful for the culture that embraces and encourages diversity, equity, and inclusivity, which is clearly a top-down influence of university leadership, faculty, and advisory staff.  

Have you participated in any experiential learning opportunities? How has this impacted your student experience? 
Alas, my 2020 experiential learning trip to New Zealand was cancelled due to the pandemic. Programs like these allow Ecampus students to connect with peers and faculty, and travel fuels so much curiosity and awareness of global issues. I’m impressed that OSU provides these valuable opportunities and encourage all students to consider applying.

What are your plans after graduation?
For the past 8 years, I have focused my consulting practice on renewable energy development, and my studies at OSU make me feel more empowered to tackle the most important natural resource policy issues of our time, as well as some of the most difficult conversations. The task of developing clean energy is not simple and involves competing environmental priorities. This expanded knowledge and tool kit will serve me well in my current role, but also open new doors for opportunities in the Pacific Northwest region that I call home.

What’s one thing (or piece of advice) that you would like incoming OSU students to know?
My goal as a returning student was to expand my knowledge and skills, and not only earn a degree. I encourage incoming students to follow their passions and enjoy the learning process as much as the end goal. One great piece of advice my advisor gave to me as a returning student is to start with just a few classes – don’t overwhelm yourself as you adjust to a new learning community or online platform – and choose classes that truly inspire you. I followed that wisdom and was able to start my program with positive momentum.

Have you received any scholarships from OSU or the College of Forestry? If so, what has it helped you accomplish?
I’ve done a lot of learning on social justice, power and privilege in the last few years. While my family is by no means wealthy, I do recognize that my whiteness comes with unearned opportunity not afforded to other populations. For that reason I did not pursue scholarship support for my tuition, in hopes that these funds are granted to students with greater need.

What are your go-to snacks? 
I love a good trail mix that ideally includes chocolate.

Anything else would you like to share?
I will miss having OSU as part of my daily life, but will take these valuable lessons and community wherever I go. Most importantly, my plan is to be a lifelong learner. 

Major & specialization area:
Natural Resources with point of convergence in Forestry (Individualized Specialty Option)

Why did you choose your degree program/major?
I have always had a fondness for the outdoors in its entirety. I am fascinated by forest products, ecosystems and wildlife.

What’s the best experience you’ve had as a student?
The interaction with students and professors I would say is the best experience I have had. I was last in college 20 years ago, a lot has changed. Then, there were no discussion groups, little in the way of group activities and the development of working with peers was not a huge factor. In the workforce, the ability to work with others was underrated in many cases. Going and doing your job and being the sole reason for success and failure was up to you and determined by your actions. Out in your career the ability to work with others increases your ability to produce efficiently.

Tell me a little about your baseball career. How has this impacted your student experience?
My baseball career has taught me about work ethic. Baseball is a tough game based as much on failure as success. It is a team sport with huge amounts of individual competition. It has taught me to focus on mastering an art, whether it be pitching or fielding, while still being dependent on your team to do their job as well through hard work and preparation. This thought process has helped in schooling. I was brought up as a person who was raised with the “work hard, figure it out” mentality, and baseball has helped me understand how to work through my schooling with a broader scope.

What are your plans after graduation?
This is a tough question. I am currently an undergraduate assistant baseball coach at OSU as well so I obviously have the dreams of one day coaching college baseball as a career. I also have a 14-year background in small community banking and left that job, achieving the title of Chief Lending Officer. During that time I managed the entire bank’s lending portfolio, dealt with examiners and developed products. In my off time I was a part of two other businesses. With a few other partners we started a small timber company which purchased and harvested wood products. This side hustle led us to purchase a road maintenance and construction company which primarily worked on logging roads. I have also had a taxidermy business that I have done since I was originally in college and continue to do so to afford the ability to come back and get my degree. All of these things interested me then and still do today. To answer the question, we will just have to wait and see what I come up with.

What’s one thing (or piece of advice) that you would like incoming OSU students to know?
Ask questions to find the truth or answer in its entirety. Listen to what is said and use the knowledge you have or research to gain a stronger understanding of what is being said. There is usually more to every story and it’s your job to engage and educate yourself.

What are your go-to snacks?
Jerky; I am an avid outdoorsman and have never been known to be in one place for too long. Years ago I learned how to make a few variations of jerky types and seasonings. It’s the perfect snack for someone who is always on the go.

What else would you like to share?
Go see a sporting event at OSU, any of them. The hard work and dedication these athletes are doing is something to see.

Major & specialization area:
Natural Resources with an individualized specialization option called Marine Ecosystems

Why did you choose your degree program/major?
I chose to major in natural resources because I’ve always been really interested in the environment and wanted to find a way I can give back to the planet. The natural resources program also provides a great diversity of classes that allowed me to get a wider breadth of education by blending science with some social science classes. Going into my undergrad, I wasn’t really sure what direction I wanted to pursue and this degree let me learn about the different aspects of the environment, including socioeconomic considerations, without having to get too specialized.

What’s the best experience you’ve had as a student?
Whenever someone asks about a favorite class or professor, I always think of when I took Science Writing (WR 362) with Dr. Ehren Pflugfelder. I’ve had a lot of really great classes and great professors during my time at OSU, but the excitement he brought to class and care he put into our learning really stood out. And now I’m definitely thinking about how I can incorporate science writing and other methods of science communication into my future career!

Have you participated in any experiential learning opportunities? How has this impacted your student experience?
Yes! I just went to Chile over spring break for the Mountains to the Sea: Ecosystems of Chile faculty led program. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Chile is beautiful, the group of students and faculty were great, and we learned a lot of really interesting things about forestry in Chile and some of the issues they’re facing regarding natural resource management. This experience made me feel a lot more connected to OSU and I think it really elevated my student experience by giving me these memories I will never forget. I also made some really great friends on this trip, so if anyone’s considering an international program or other experiential learning opportunity, I say go for it!

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I’m planning on taking a little break from school while I get more experience with field work, and then I’m planning to apply for grad schools! But in the long run, I’m hoping to be able to combine doing research with working towards making scientific information more accessible to a wider group of people.

What’s one thing (or piece of advice) that you would like incoming OSU students to know?
I would tell incoming students to keep an open mind about the experiences they want to have at OSU because you never know what opportunities might come up. Keeping my mind open to different opportunities is what led me to going to Chile for spring break, but it could also lead you to spending a term at the Hatfield Marine Science Center or getting experience doing research.

Have you received any scholarships from OSU or the College of Forestry? If so, what has it helped you accomplish?
I have received some scholarships from OSU and the College of Forestry. These scholarships have been really helpful for paying my tuition and allowing me to take a full-time course load every quarter. Of course these scholarships have allowed me to focus more on my classes, but they’ve also allowed me to pursue more volunteer opportunities instead of only being able to take paid positions. And one of these opportunities is what led me to my first publication as a co-author in a peer-reviewed journal, which should be coming out this year.

What are your go-to snacks?
I love a good bagel. Or hummus with pita, naan, or carrots!