Past Student Associate

Bennett is a sophomore in the Beyond Boundaries Program majoring in Environmental Analysis and minoring in the Business of Social Impact. He’s not sure exactly what division of environmentalism he wants to explore most—he currently enjoys learning about energy solutions, hydrology, habitat conservation, industrial waste reduction, biology, environmental justice, sustainable urban development, and more. Bennett serves as one of three Climate Associates in the WashU Climate Change Program.

Sophie is a junior from Memphis, TN studying Communication Design with a minor in Environmental Studies. She is so excited to be a part of the Office of Sustainability team and help make our campus and community a more sustainable place. Sophie is especially interested in finding the intersections between nature and design and hopes to be able to integrate her art practices within her role at the Office of Sustainability. Sophie is one of the two Communication Associates at the office.

Maia is a senior studying Environmental Policy with minors in Business of Social Impact and French. She has spent the past few summers working in Corporate Sustainability and has loved learning about the intersection of business and sustainability. She just got back from a semester abroad studying in Paris learning about urbanism and waste habits from the European lens. She is so excited to work with the Office of Sustainability and all of their amazing programs.

Meris is a First-Year student at Washington University and is planning to major in Political Science. Meris’ awareness of growing environmental problems have led him to take action and join the Office of Sustainability.

Jenise is a junior from Chicago majoring in Environmental Analysis and Drama. She is a new intern with Environmental Studies and is currently a Grassroots Organizer intern with the Sierra Club of Missouri.

Nina is a sophomore from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York who intends to major in Environmental Analysis and Spanish. On campus, she is the treasurer of Active Minds and participates in multiple theater productions throughout the year. Her other passions include singing, playing piano and guitar, and running. She is very excited to be a part of WashU Climate Change Program and contribute to the growing effort to ensure future generations a livable planet.

Charlie is a graduate student from the Chicago-area studying energy, environmental, and chemical engineering. He completed his undergraduate degree here at WashU last spring. While he has worked broadly in the environmental field, Charlie is interested in renewable energy utilization and carbon reduction methods. In his free time, Charlie likes to read and is a big dog lover. He is excited to join the Office of Sustainability and participate in WashU’s commitment to a more sustainable campus and community.

Natalie is a senior in the Sam Fox School studying Design, Art History, and Writing. She is originally from Baltimore, and though she misses it a lot, has grown to love St. Louis. She is interested in all matters concerning the environment and eager to help out on the communications team. At the Office of Sustainability, Natalie serves as one of the two Communication Associates.

Kyra Sorkin, is a second-year student in WashU's College of Arts & Sciences. She is majoring in Global Studies with a concentration in International Affairs, and is pursuing double minors in music and Business of the Arts. She loves to write and perform music, and cares deeply about restorative justice. She works as an outreach, ecology, and information management intern for the Restorative Justice Movement Center (RJMC) in the Ville of St. Louis; from planting vegetables in the community garden with the center’s patrons to organizing community celebration events, she has grown deeply as a leader and a person at RJMC. She is excited to get involved in all the Environmental Studies Department's Impact Internship program has to offer.

Liv Starr is the new Office Associate on the Midwest Climate Summit team. She is a senior from West Hartford, Connecticut. At WashU, she is double majoring in Anthropology on the Global Health and Environment Track and Spanish and minoring in the Business of Social Impact. After her time abroad in Santiago, Chile was cut short as a result of the pandemic, she spent the past summer in St. Louis. In St. Louis, she volunteered for Confluence Academies COVID-19 relief efforts packaging meals for individuals struggling with food shortages. Additionally, she interned for a website that encourages older adults and people with disabilities to live at home.

Alex is currently a senior pursuing degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Analysis. When it comes to sustainability her interests include, but aren’t limited to, food/agriculture, international environmental policy, and waste management. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, watching documentaries, and traveling (when it’s allowed).

Jesse is a Senior at Washington University in St. Louis pursuing an Environmental Policy Major. He is passionate about creating healthy and safe spaces for all people to live, work, and play. This semester, he is working with Erica Williams and A Red Circle on their new food justice initiatives at the North County Agricultural Education Center and Healthy Flavor Community Garden.

Isabelle Surloff is a junior pursuing a double major in Environmental Analysis and Economics. She is passionate about transitioning our fossil-fuel-dependent economy and society to clean energy-dependent through market-based approaches. Previously, she worked at Energy Solutions, an Oakland-based clean energy consulting company, researching state, federal, and foundation funding mechanisms for clean energy market transformation and tracked policy changes at the state and local level. Isabelle is excited to leverage her professional and academic experiences to expand sustainability initiatives on WashU's campus. At the Office of Sustainability, Isabelle will be working on the Renewable Energy/Vehicle Electrification/Carbon Neutrality team.

Alexis is a Senior from Orange, CA majoring in Environmental Biology with a minor in French. He is excited to join the Office of Sustainability to help push sustainability projects on campus and continue the further education of fellow students. On campus, Alexis has served as the CS40 Sustainability Chair and currently serves as a Co-Director for the WUGA program. In his free time, Alexis likes to listen to music and explore new places with his friends.

Christopher Tomera is the Lead Coordinator for Tyson Conservation Corps (TCC). Christopher is currently a Senior at WashU majoring in Biology. Spending time outdoors, working in conservation and with wildlife has always been a big interest of his. Since starting college, he has been involved in a variety of field work and research opportunities that led him to join TCC about a year ago. Now, Christopher hopes to continue helping others learn more about the community at Tyson.

Wilson Tryon is a senior planning to graduate at the end of the 23-24 school year. He studies global health and the environment in the anthropology department, and to a lesser extent in the Environmental Studies department. He loves learning about plants, food, and the history of how people have shaped their surroundings. A big part of sustainability, for him is appreciating just how connected we are to our environment. He also enjoys the science side of environmentalism, but working with people has always been what's piqued his interest within the realm of sustainability and climate change.

Austin is a junior pursuing a B.S. in architecture. He is especially interested in sustainable architecture. He is also involved with the Aristocats acapella group. In his free time, he enjoys a nice bike ride through Forest Park.

Maya is a senior from San Francisco, California, majoring in microbiology with minors in Chinese and medical humanities. On campus, she has worked with Burning Kumquat, WUGA, and CS40. She is passionate about environmental justice, especially work surrounding food justice and local agricultural systems. This summer, Maya interned at EarthDance Organic Farm School, where she focused on community outreach and nutrition. In her free time, she enjoys boxing and reading and writing poetry.

Carmen is a first-year student from the San Francisco Bay Area. She’s currently undecided in her major but excited to continue exploring her interests in Spanish, Latin America and the environment as she attempts to figure out her future.

Valerie Viteri is a junior student from New York City majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Energy Engineering. She is excited to learn more about the sustainability projects on campus, especially those involving renewable energy and carbon neutrality. She hopes to keep developing her passions, exploring her interests, and enhancing the community. She enjoys playing sports, spending time with friends, and caring for her succulents in her spare time.

Kayla is a first-year majoring in Environmental Biology and minoring in Spanish. Her curiosity and love for exploration have fostered an admiration and respect for the primitive beauty of natural systems, which inspire her efforts to spread environmental mindfulness.

Marcus-Jay is a Sophomore originally from the United Kingdom, Majoring in Economics & Strategy, with a minor in environmental analysis. He is interested in opportunities aligning business interests with renewable energy and grid technology. On campus, he has served as the CS40 Director of Finance and will be a teaching assistant for the RESET (Renewable Energy Student Engagement Team) program. He is excited to join the Office of Sustainability to promote hands-on learning experiences and learn from his peers. In his free time, he enjoys running, photography, and traveling with friends.

Makio is a sophomore studying architecture in the Sam Fox School of Design. He is interested in learning the design principles that allow buildings and spaces to be environmentally friendly while at the same time improving the quality of life and interaction for the inhabitants.

Angela Yokley is a Student Coordinator for the Tyson Conservation Corps! She plans to major in Environmental Analysis with a minor in Environmental Earth & Planetary Sciences. She is interested in conservation research, sustainability initiatives on campus, and waste management.