SENR Peer Leaders help to integrate new students into the SENR community and smooth the transition to being an Ohio State student. Peer Leaders assist with ENR 1100, SENR's new student Survey course, and lead a variety of experiences to provide resources for their peers. These are the Peer Leaders for 2024:
Hifsah Ayub
Ayub.11@osu.edu
Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
Specialization: International Development
Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio
Career Interests: In the future I hope to have a career centered around environmental sustainability. Like most people in SENR, I just want to make the world a cleaner, healthier place!
Favorite Part of SENR/OSU: My favorite part of OSU is the opportunity to connect with people from various backgrounds and interests. It's a place where you can learn from a diverse range of individuals and their experiences, both within and outside of the SENR community. It's inspiring to see how within SENR, people with similar interests and goals take unique paths in life. Even within the same major, we bring diverse experiences that shape our individual journeys.
Other Campus Involvements:
- Resident Advisor- Blackburn/Haverfield Complex
- Student Ambassador for SENR
Skyler Goody
Goody.6@osu.edu
Major: Environmental Policy and Decision Making (EPDM)
Specialization: EPDM Honors Research Track
Hometown: Chillicothe, Ohio
Career Interests: I’m very on the fence about my future career right now but I love rural areas and small towns, local government, and regional entities! It’s very gratifying to be able to see changes you contributed to in a community.
Favorite part of SENR/OSU: The people in SENR are great to be around! It’s really nice going to class and seeing so many familiar faces every semester, even though OSU is so big.
Internship/Research Experiences: This summer I was placed with a host community through Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to work in a local community and learn how they can work with regional entities, expand and create services, and make changes at the local level. I really enjoyed working with this community and playing a part in their development!
Other Campus Involvements:
- Food Recovery Network
- Community of Appalachian Student Leaders
- Honors undergraduate research thesis
Trent Gregory
gregory.532@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Natural Resource Management, Natural Resource Administration and Management
Minor: Entomology
Hometown: Marysville, OH
Career Aspirations: I would love to go into some sort of outdoor education job. I have always loved the idea of being an educator so I feel like outdoor education meets that love and combines it with my love of nature. I just finished an internship this summer at a wholesale plant nursery called Millcreek Gardens. I learned the ins and outs of plant care and maintenance along with learning better propagation skills.
Favorite Part of SENR: I love how you are always running into people you meet in class at events or around west campus and how that allows me to foster better relationships.
Other Campus Involvements: I am currently the co-president for the Bee Club and also attend the Sierra Club. I work as a computer repair technician at the Tech Hub at OSU.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Allow yourself to explore all your future options instead of focusing on just one thing. I have interned at places and studied topics I would have never thought I would have been interested in because I allowed myself to take a step out of my comfort zone and explore something new.
Haylie Villao
villao.5@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, Wildlife Sciences
Minor: Mycology
Hometown: North Royalton, Ohio
Career Aspirations: I'm hoping to be a Wildlife Biologist or something similar. Right now I'm working at a golf course within the Cleveland Metroparks as a way to get my foot in the door in the Metroparks!
Favorite Part of SENR: The small community!
Other Campus Involvements: I am in the Herpetology, Ornithology, and HAPA Clubs.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Start applying to internships and connecting with people early, it helps to know people before you apply for a position!
Mike Penka
penka.3@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Environmental Science, Water Science
Minor: Minor in Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability
Hometown: Powell, OH
Career Aspirations: While I do not have any concrete plans for my future, I am interested in research and field work and the many jobs that involve these two aspects of the environmental field. I have worked extensively in the field of aquatic ecology research in my time at Ohio State, and have spent three field seasons at Stone Lab working on fish-related research projects. Additionally, I have worked on a project assessing waterfowl and wetland restoration efforts across northwest Ohio. After getting my Master's I hope to work in a similar setting, whether it be through agency work or direct employment by a biological field station. In any case, I hope to continue working in aquatic ecosystems to address the many problems facing them today.
Favorite Part of SENR: My favorite aspect of SENR is how personal the school can be. Ohio State is a very large university, and SENR's small size allows for personal connections and community in a way not available on the larger university level.
Other Campus Involvements: I am involved with Dr. Lauren Pintor's lab and am in the University Honors program.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Seek out the many opportunities available within SENR early and get to know professors in areas that interest you.
Sydney Coulter
coulter.144@osu.edu
Major: Environmental Science, Water Science
Hometown: Springboro, Ohio
Career Interests: As an Environmental Science student with a specialization in water science, my future career goals are centered around advancing water conservation and sustainable water management practices. I am particularly drawn to water resource management and the preservation of ecosystem health. My current internship with the Department of Natural Resources has provided me with both field and office work, something I will look for in future jobs!
Favorite part of SENR/OSU: My favorite aspect of SENR at OSU is the inclusive and friendly atmosphere. There is a strong sense of community within SENR that makes it easy to connect with others and feel genuinely supported. I always love seeing familiar faces from SENR around campus and Columbus!
Other Campus Involvements: I serve as a Member Services Assistant Lead at OSU's RPAC and actively contribute to the Under The S.E.A. club.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: One piece of advice I have for new students in Environmental Sciences is to prioritize self care. Balancing academic responsibilities with personal well-being can be challenging, so it's important to develop strategies for managing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you set aside time for activities you enjoy and never hesitate to seek support from campus resources!
Caitlyn Kowalski
kowalski.222@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Hometown: Hillsborough, New Jersey
Career Aspirations: I have worked the last three summers as a seasonal park ranger for my county's park commission. I definitely enjoyed working for a government agency, and am hoping to find a similar position on the federal level!
Favorite Part of SENR: My favorite part about SENR is how small it is! It really allows you to find a community at Ohio State since there are only 5 majors within the program.
Other Campus Involvements: I am in a Panhellenic Association sorority and I volunteer at Willow Ridge Therapeuatic Riding Facility in Plain City.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Make sure to do some research on the general electives you take. Ohio State offers really unique and interesting courses. I took Russian 3355.99, "Vodka in Russian Society and Culture: Deconstructing Myths", I had no idea such niche courses were even an option, so definitely see what OSU has to of
Revanth Yalamanchi
yalamanchi.7@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability, Sustainability and Business
Hometown: Higganum, CT
Career Aspirations: I plan to enter the sustainability space in the consumer packaged goods, agriculture, or energy production industries. I am currently applying for sustainability analyst positions but hope to attend a master's program in a few years.
Favorite Part of SENR: I truly enjoy the community of passionate individuals who in turn have created an environment where incredible research and advocacy can thrive.
Other Campus Involvements: Undergraduate Student Government, Deputy Director of Sustainability, Student-Athlete Support Services, Tutor, and SENR ambassador
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Look to meet people who are working in roles that you hope be in one day.
Megan Maghes 
maghes.7@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability, Sustainability and Business
Hometown: Worthington, OH
Career Aspirations: In the future, I would love to work for local government in helping them educate the public on environmental issues and help plan for a sustainable future.
Favorite Part of SENR: SENR is a great place to meet people in a smaller setting than OSU at large, make sure to come to the CFAES Bash in the beginning of each autumn semester! It's the best.
Other Campus Involvements: I work as a Student Instructional Assistant for the ENR 2100 class.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Try to meet as many people as possible in your classes! It is such a resource to make connections now with your classmates, which can help create opportunities in your job/internship search in the future. So much of college is being able to meet new people who are different than you and learning from them. And if you want to get into the sustainability field, it is such a resource to have a big network.
Kate Kozak
kozak.99@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability, Sustainability and Business
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Career Aspirations: I would love to be able to work in sustainable energy or recycling/waste management in the future. I want to help businesses or local governments update their practices to lower their carbon footprint.
Favorite Part of SENR: I love how even in this giant school we go to, SENR gives each student such individual attention and personalized resources. They make sure there are opportunities to meet other students in your major, make scheduling an appointment with your advisor easy and straightforward, and are amazing at answering any questions about your college experience or future!
Other Campus Involvements: I'm in the university honors program and am the treasurer of Students for Recycling. I work as a Residence Hall Office Assistant on North Campus.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Go for things you think you may not be qualified for! A lot of times showing enthusiasm for trying new things and a willingness to learn on the job makes up for lack of experience. It may be a long shot, but ask professors if they have any openings in their research projects or apply for a challenging internship. Putting yourself out there could totally pay off!
Katie Bruns
bruns.231@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, Wildlife Sciences
Hometown: West Chester, OH
Career Aspirations: When I graduate, I would like to travel and work seasonal wildlife technician jobs around the country! After a few years of that, I hope to attain my Master's degree and one day become a Wildlife Biologist!
Favorite Part of SENR: This community strives to better one another. Everyone wants you to succeed and will absolutely help you to get to where you want to be.
Other Campus Involvements: I am Vice President of The Ohio State Fish and Wildlife Society.
A Piece of Advice for New Students: Take advantage of any and every experience that may present itself to you! Experience is one of the most important assets you can hold in this career, but it takes initiative to actually gain it!
Nezzie O'Malley
omally.166@osu.edu
Major & Specialization: Natural Resource Management, Environmental Education (Honors Research Focus)
Minor: Religious Studies
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Career Aspirations: I would like to have a career in environmental education where I can help make nature more accessible to historically underrepresented groups in environmental conversations. After a summer internship on an educational farm with food justice as its core mission, I am exploring job opportunities that combine this new interest and environmental education.
Favorite Part of SENR: I love that in SENR we have a small community within a much bigger one. Just like with OSU as a whole, there is a lot of school pride within SENR. I think this is because of the many opportunities available to students to connect with each other and learn in a field we are all passionate about.
Other Campus Involvements: Bluefish Swim School, Pass the Class, Short North at Ohio State
A Piece of Advice for New Students: If you are interested in something a professor is researching or focused on, don't be afraid to ask them about it! They love talking about their research and will sometimes have opportunities to get involved.