About Me
I grew up outdoors in the Rocky Mountains of Utah in the United States. Since a young age, I have appreciated the beauty and logical design of the Earth system: the pristine, glass-like lakes of the Uintah Mountains; the mammoth, red-rock castles eroded over centuries in Goblin Valley; and the warm, autumn colors splashed across the Wasatch Front. The inherent beauty in nature experienced throughout my youth developed my passion for the outdoors and the awareness of human impacts on the natural system. In addition, the sheer power and impact weather has on our lives was evident at a young age.
With a passion for the environment and meteorology, I attended nationally ranked meteorology program at the Pennsylvania State University. In my first semester, I took a class that dealt with the fragility of our water resources and infrastructure. It was this class that developed my passion to protect water resources and our environment. In my following semesters, my coursework dealt with the impact weather and climate have on the Earth and human systems. My coursework included many engineering classes and integrated water and environmental management, soil science, hydrology, agriculture, management, air quality, etc.
Through hard work and determination, I have been afforded many opportunities. While I have been recognised for my academic and professional excellence, it has never been about the accolades. To me, it is always about the experience and the challenge. That is why I have created and taken every opportunity to explore new knowledge and cultures. I am willing to challenge myself, to be a leader, and to take on new opportunities.
My passion has always lead me to seek out opportunities to improve the world in which we live. This passion drives my determination and commitment to quality work as I seek opportunities to help reimagine and transition cities towards sustainable and socially equitable futures.
With a passion for the environment and meteorology, I attended nationally ranked meteorology program at the Pennsylvania State University. In my first semester, I took a class that dealt with the fragility of our water resources and infrastructure. It was this class that developed my passion to protect water resources and our environment. In my following semesters, my coursework dealt with the impact weather and climate have on the Earth and human systems. My coursework included many engineering classes and integrated water and environmental management, soil science, hydrology, agriculture, management, air quality, etc.
Through hard work and determination, I have been afforded many opportunities. While I have been recognised for my academic and professional excellence, it has never been about the accolades. To me, it is always about the experience and the challenge. That is why I have created and taken every opportunity to explore new knowledge and cultures. I am willing to challenge myself, to be a leader, and to take on new opportunities.
My passion has always lead me to seek out opportunities to improve the world in which we live. This passion drives my determination and commitment to quality work as I seek opportunities to help reimagine and transition cities towards sustainable and socially equitable futures.
Leadership
Being a leader has been an integral part of my life. It was a journey that began representing my eighth grade science class in student council. Since that decision, I have dedicated much of my life and free time to being a leader in the classroom and among my peers. My leadership foundation is built on the integrity and respect I have for other people and the loyalty, passion, and pride that I share with a cause or organization. Key to my leadership philosophy is humility, effective communication, empowerment and valuing people and their contributions by recognizing the importance of cooperation and inclusion. I strive to better myself through interacting with people and sharing perspectives.
I have sought many opportunities to improve my leadership and strengthen my core values. I have attended numerous leadership development workshops and seminars including National Association for School Councils (NASC) conferences, Campus to Congress | Corporation | Community Leadership training, among others. These workshops were integral in developing my vision of a leader and creating the goals I have for myself as a leader within my community.
Upon arriving at Penn State, I chose to totally engage in my community by taking on numerous leadership positions. I was among the leadership team in planning the college's largest potential student recruitment event. I was selected as the College’s representative to University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) and University Faculty Senate. I also served as President of the College's Undergraduate Student Council. I am proud of the many things that we accomplished as students in the College. Among them, through increased communication and enthusiasm, we doubled Student Council active membership. As an eco-friendly organization, we partnered with other organizations to coordinate campus and town clean-ups. We also worked with the Clearwater Conservancy and helped in watershed protection activities. As an instrumental leader within my college community, I was awarded the Jay M. DeFinis Award for Outstanding Student Leadership. Further, I was recognised as an EMSAGE Laureate. The Earth and Mineral Sciences Academy for Global Experience, or EMSAGE, is a programme to foster students’ global competence. Laureate status is reserved for those students who have demonstrated a substantially higher level of achievement than the majority of students at Penn State in Scholarship, Experiential Learning and Global Literacy, and Service.
In bringing my leadership to Sweden, I have had to learn how to work in an environment with cultural differences. Understanding cultures, languages, and motivations have proven essential in being a strong leader. In collaboration, I helped start a new student organization called the Blue Target Network aiming to further the discussion of sustainable business solutions through study trips and discussions with professionals. Moreover, I have worked closely with partners to develop sustainable business ideas and solutions. I serve as a member of the Graduate Student Council organising many social and professional development events including brown bag lunch seminars, resume workshops and taco Fridays!
I have sought many opportunities to improve my leadership and strengthen my core values. I have attended numerous leadership development workshops and seminars including National Association for School Councils (NASC) conferences, Campus to Congress | Corporation | Community Leadership training, among others. These workshops were integral in developing my vision of a leader and creating the goals I have for myself as a leader within my community.
Upon arriving at Penn State, I chose to totally engage in my community by taking on numerous leadership positions. I was among the leadership team in planning the college's largest potential student recruitment event. I was selected as the College’s representative to University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) and University Faculty Senate. I also served as President of the College's Undergraduate Student Council. I am proud of the many things that we accomplished as students in the College. Among them, through increased communication and enthusiasm, we doubled Student Council active membership. As an eco-friendly organization, we partnered with other organizations to coordinate campus and town clean-ups. We also worked with the Clearwater Conservancy and helped in watershed protection activities. As an instrumental leader within my college community, I was awarded the Jay M. DeFinis Award for Outstanding Student Leadership. Further, I was recognised as an EMSAGE Laureate. The Earth and Mineral Sciences Academy for Global Experience, or EMSAGE, is a programme to foster students’ global competence. Laureate status is reserved for those students who have demonstrated a substantially higher level of achievement than the majority of students at Penn State in Scholarship, Experiential Learning and Global Literacy, and Service.
In bringing my leadership to Sweden, I have had to learn how to work in an environment with cultural differences. Understanding cultures, languages, and motivations have proven essential in being a strong leader. In collaboration, I helped start a new student organization called the Blue Target Network aiming to further the discussion of sustainable business solutions through study trips and discussions with professionals. Moreover, I have worked closely with partners to develop sustainable business ideas and solutions. I serve as a member of the Graduate Student Council organising many social and professional development events including brown bag lunch seminars, resume workshops and taco Fridays!
Future Goals
"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe,
and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."
-- Pablo Picasso
and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."
-- Pablo Picasso
Goals allow for direction, purpose and perseverance. It is important for me to set and strive to achieve goals I have set for myself.
- Train for a full marathon: I love to run! I completed my first half-marathon in March 2015. I continue to run and be active in my free time. It is a personal goal to run a marathon to continue to develop healthy habits.
- Experience culture, language: Seek out art exhibits, performances or foreign films at least twice a month to appreciate perspective and cultures.
- Avoid coffee, tea, alcohol and soda: I just don't like the taste of coffee, tea is fine. Similar to a vegetarian diet, I look to avoid these beverages for health and environmental reasons.
- Read a book: Reading is a great way to explore your mind and exercise our imagination. I plan to read at least two books a month alternating fiction/non-fiction.
- Get a job!
- Think Global: I look to continue to explore international perspectives and cultures.
