I have always been drawn to work that had a "noble" purpose or outcome.  Environmental Engineering felt like "noble" work because even the homeless enjoy clean water to drink and clean air to breathe.  During Undergrad, as a Chemical Engineering Co-op for Central Soya, I was assigned many projects, however, I found that I was drawn to and energized more by the ones that focused on Environmental.  One of my first projects was to design a Wastewater Lift Station. I liked it so much that I asked for more environmental projects and commensurately started taking more environmental engineering courses as my Undergraduate Engineering Electives.  Before long, all of my co-op assignments focused on Environmental; and I had taken so many Environmental Engineering courses that by the time I graduated with my BS in Chemical Engineering, I was only 15 hours from a Masters in Environmental Engineering. Consequently, it made sense to say, "Yes" when the Head of the Environmental Engineering Department (Dr. James Etzel) asked me to consider getting a Masters in Environmental Engineering and work as a TA for Environmental Engineering.

You’ve had a long-standing relationship with SEE. How have your experiences shaped your perspective, and how do they inform your contributions to the EAC today?

Over time, my hands-on experience and engagement with SEE have transformed my understanding, equipping me and my colleagues to add greater value to SEE.  I began as the sole industry representative invited to the foundational think tank, then transitioned into a traditional consultative capacity when SEE was in its infancy, and now am part of the deeply integrated, hands-on partnership that exists today with SEE through the SEE EAC, mentoring of students, and other program engagements with active alumni.  The EAC, other alumni and SEE have collaboratively navigated and solved critical institutional challenges, both for the school and the students, while uncovering strategic insights and perspectives that would have otherwise remained out of reach. Curriculum modernization, targeted staffing, and university leadership engagements have driven continuous SEE growth, which when combined with alumni and SEE support for upgraded laboratory facilities, diverse guest lectures, and student skill development have positioned SEE as a premier academic institution and contributed to making it one of the best in its class of schools today! 

How has your experience in industry influenced your role and perspective as a member of the External Advisory Council?

The EAC is a group of professionals who work in many different Environmental careers in many different ways.  Each bringing their specific industry and experiences into our meetings. As a member of industry I seek to bring actionable, real-world experience to help ensure the educational programs of SEE and its development of its students, remain relevant to the current industry market demands.  My goal is to offer SEE and its students objective, "outside-in" perspectives regarding the skills employers seek (including technical and critical "soft" skills) and help SEE evaluate the potential demand for new course material or career pathways/enhancements for its program and students.  As each member of the EAC collaborates with SEE in this way, it continuously improves SEE which in turn sustains it as a premier academic institution and one of the best in its class of schools today. 

As SEE approaches its 20th anniversary this fall, what is the most significant change you’ve observed during your time with the program, and how do you envision its continued growth in the future?

As SEE approaches its 20th anniversary this fall, the most significant change I've observed during my time with the program is ... what was once "just a thought in a think tank" is not only a School, but a School among the top 10 in the nation for its Undergraduate program and #11 for its Graduate program according to US News and World Report.  I envision the SEE program, which is a top tier program now, with the right support and vision will continue to grow and improve at a faster rate than its peers and rank #1 (or at least in the top 3) in the coming years! I look forward to it and plan to celebrate it wherever I am. 

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