Hifsah Ayub
SENR Ambassador
Ayub.11@osu.edu
Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: International Development
Career Interests:
I am interested in the creative applications of sustainability, particularly in ways that promote both environmental stewardship and personal wellness. I hope to delve deeper into this field post-grad. While my career path is still evolving, I am drawn to design-related work that blends sustainability and wellness, and I am excited to explore opportunities that allow me to make a meaningful impact in this area.
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: One of my favorite parts of ENR is the sense of community and diversity of experiences. You meet so many new people, each with their own unique journey, but we all share a common passion for the environment. It's inspiring to see the different paths people take within this field, and ENR provides the space to create your own journey as well. Whether you're focused on conservation, policy, or creative solutions like sustainable design, there's always an opportunity to learn from others and carve out a path that aligns with your passions.
Internship/ Research Experience: After my first year, I worked as a sustainability intern for Smart Columbus, a nonprofit, and later with the Midwest Climate Collaborative, where I helped plan a climate conference. Following my second year, I worked as an environmental co-op for Honda. Most recently, after my third year, I interned with the Ohio EPA in their Office of Communications and Outreach, where I focused on videography.
Other Campus Involvements:
- Resident Advisor- Blackburn/Haverfield Complex
- Peer Leader for SENR
Halle Tebbe
SENR Ambassador
tebbe.34@buckeyemail.osu.edu
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
Majors: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: Sustainability and Business
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: The School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) provides a small campus feel on an otherwise massive campus. This is something you will hear and say many times while you are at Ohio State, but it is 100% true. While I have taken several large (200+ student) courses, the vast majority of the classes within the School of Environment and Natural Resources are 30-40 students with recitations occasionally dipping below 10 students. The small class sizes have allowed me to build meaningful, professional relationships with my professors and meet many other EEDS students.
Internship/ Research Experience: Yes, I have had four internships so far! My first internship took place at a local civil engineering firm between my first and second year at Ohio State. This opportunity provided me with an incredible, introductory experience into the workforce and allowed me to explore the intersectionality of engineering, sustainability, and conservation. Since then, I have worked at the Ohio Stadium as a Zero Waste Student Assistant, served as the Outreach Program Intern for Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, and collaborated with Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) at The Ohio State University as a Water Resource Intern, a position I still hold to this day.
Other Campus Involvements:
- Alpha Phi Omega
- Sustainability Institute Advisory Board
- Time for Change
Karissa Mitchell
SENR Ambassador
mitchell.2121@osu.edu
Hometown: Worthington, OH
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: Sustainability and Business
Minor: Environmental Science
Career Interests: My future career plans include going to graduate school for either an MBA or a graduate degree in SENR (potentially both with the dual program offered at Ohio State). Once I get my graduate degree, I want to work for businesses to improve their carbon footprints and eventually work as a Chief Sustainability Officer for a large company. I am interested in creating a more sustainable future for businesses and improving their infrastructure to promote longevity for both the environment and the company.
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: I love the tight-knit community within SENR! My professors, classmates and peers truly make me feel welcomed. SENR offers a close community on a large campus which is really unique!
Internship/Research Experience: I have had three internships throughout my time at OSU! As a rising Sophomore, I interned with OSU's Ohio State's Facilities Operations and Development department as a Zero Waste Intern where we monitored the trash and recycling infrastructure at the university. Next, I interned with OSU's Wexner Medical Center as a Sustainability Intern where I continued to promote Ohio State's goals through their healthcare facilities. This experience included data analytics, education, supply chain management and more. Finally, this past summer I was a Supplier Sustainability Co-Op at Honda in Marysville, Ohio working to decarbonize their supply chain. This experience was a great look into the Automotive sector and some of the challenges it faces in becoming more sustainable.
Other Campus Involvements:
-
President of Students for Recycling
Leah Palechka
SENR Ambassador
palechka.1@osu.edu
Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: Community Development
Minor: City and Regional Planning
Career Interests: I am interested in sustainable development, urban affairs, planning, and transportation policy. Right now, I would like to go to graduate school and continue studying these topics after undergrad. One day, I would like to work for a city/local government office, a planning agency, or a university!
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: My favorite aspect of SENR is the community! Everyone is supportive and friendly. It's really inspiring and comforting to be around like-minded individuals who care about the world the way you do. The students, professors, and advisors are welcoming and supportive!
Internship / Research Experience: In summer 2023, I interned at the Ohio Department of Transportation District (ODOT) Three's Environmental Section in Ashland, Ohio. I performed project mapping to assist in the NEPA process, as well as fieldwork to create project photo logs. ODOT was an amazing place to work and was laid-back and welcoming — I would recommend it to anyone who is interested! For the past year, I have been working as an undergraduate research assistant through OSU's Comprehensive Cancer Center, assisting in research involving built infrastructure and colorectal cancer rates. This past summer (2024), I was a Planning Intern at the City of Westerville, where I assisted in administrative tasks and policy research.
Other Campus Involvements:
- Women in Economics Club
- Kellogg-Moser Food Security and Sustainability Learning Community ('21-'22 Alum)
- ENR 3500 Student Instructional Assistant
- Sustainability Institute Student Advisory Board
Julia Reed
SENR Ambassador
Email: Reed.2017@osu.edu
Hometown: Lebanon, Ohio
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability
Specialization: Community and International Development
Career Interests: Although I am not set in either of these choices yet, I hope to pursue a job in either Environmental Planning for a city district or Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting. I am really passionate about applied sustainability practices and understanding how to help a larger community or company reduce their environmental impacts. I am also planning on going to graduate school to become more specialized in one of these fields after going into the workforce for a few years!
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: Something that I have grown to love in SENR is connecting with students and hearing the wide range of passions and skills that lie within a relatively small area of the university. It is inspiring to see how many different fields environmental issues and sustainability overlap with and the creative ways that students engage in these intersections. Having the opportunity to engage with such passionate and talented students and faculty helps me remain optimistic about a field that can occasionally be heavy or pessimistic.
Internship/Research Experience: This past summer, I had the opportunity to be a Stormwater Intern at Montgomery County Engineers in Dayton, Ohio. I gained a lot of experience going out into the field and creating maps of the stormwater system in the county using ArcGIS, an online mapping software. I performed inspections according to EPA regulations to check the functionality of the stormwater system. I also learned how to write a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for one of the county’s service departments. Overall, it was a great experience and provided me with the opportunity to see a real-world application of some of the content I have been learning in my classes!
Other Campus Involvements: Office of Student Life, Net Impact, ENR Scholars Alum
Hollee Stegeman
SENR Ambassador
Stegeman.7@osu.edu
Hometown: Cincinatti, OH
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: Sustainability and Business
Career Interests: I am interested in corporate sustainability, specifically sustainable fashion. I am also interested in Environmental Consulting as I have experience in that field.
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: I love how such a big campus can feel so connected throughout the SENR community. It is very interesting to hear other people’s thoughts on certain topics and learn from a group of such bright classmates and professors!
Internship/Research Experience: Over the summer I had an internship at an environmental consulting firm called August Mack Environmental where I helped remediate contaminated land. I have also had an internship at the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District where I would inspect outfalls around the county.
Other Campus Involvements:
- Receptionist at Student Wellness Center
Revanth Yalamanchi
SENR Ambassador
Yalamanchi.7@osu.edu
Hometown: Higganum, CT
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: Sustainability and Business
Career Interests: I'd like to help business formulate long and short term sustainability goals
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: The people and community
Internship/Research Experience: I have interned at Owens Corning, as a sustainability intern in Granville, OH. I helped create a biodiversity goal with feasible tracking metrics focusing on their supply chain. I have also interned at Land O' Lakes Inc. at their headquarters in Minneapolis MN. I helped aggregate data from several software to subsequently analyze purchasing patterns to help the company transition its vehicle fleet to all-electric.
Other Campus Involvements:
- Undergraduate Student Government
- OSU Athletic Dept - Sustainability Work