Lakeisha Riley

LinkedIn Profile

How did you become interested in your major or area of study?
I chose this major because there is a great opportunity to make a difference in mitigating climate change through government intervention and community action. I want to use what I learn to be a catalyst for change.

What student organizations and activities are you involved in?
I have been an EMS Ambassador, involved with the Sustainability Club, and currently am a member of the World Campus Student Government.

What is your dream job, and how is EME helping you get closer to it?
My dream job is to work with a city or state's urban planning department to offer residents more sustainable living and working options (e.g., bike lanes, walkable cities, EV charging stations, tax credits). EME, particularly my participation in the Local Climate Action Program (LCAP), allows me to use my voice and verifiable research to make such suggestions for a local Pennsylvania community.

WHY PENN STATE?

Why did you become interested in joining EME?
When searching for potential universities, Penn State was the only institution that offered Environmental Science and Public Policy as a singular course of study. But it wasn't until I met with the advisors and felt their genuine care and engagement that I knew I had made the right decision.

Why Penn State?
Besides offering the course of study that I was looking for, the fact that World Campus students like me receive the same level of education as students on campus was enough to lock in my decision.

What’s the best thing about being an EME student?
There is no one best thing about being an EME student. It's the people, the professors, the courses, the organizations specific to the major. But if you're asking for one thing, the answer is EVERYTHING.

ADVICE

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in college so far?
The most important lesson that I've learned is that there is strength in community. Whether that community is a group member, a faculty advisor, or an attentive professor, I've learned that you may indeed be able to accomplish your goals alone, but there is so much more we can accomplish together.

What is one piece of advice you would give to prospective students?
My one piece of advice is to GET INVOLVED. Your unique perspective on the world and learning is necessary. Find a club or organization and use your voice to make us better.

PENN STATE TRADITIONS

What is the one Penn State activity that everyone should participate in, and why?
Penn State is so diverse in its offerings of different clubs and organizations. If you can imagine it, we've likely got a club for it. However, for EME students, I wholeheartedly think that they should attend the GreenGov webinars and the film series offered from the Sustainability Institute. These are so good!

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