Intern Spotlight: Samantha Johnstone

Samantha Johnstone

Samantha is our National Communications Intern this summer. We are so excited to have her, and have been so grateful for all the amazing content she’s helped with!

We are so excited to have Samantha as our communications intern this summer! She does important work editing and looking over oped submissions, letters to the editor, and articles that volunteers have written. She takes time to make sure that they are both well crafted and fit with the style and messaging of CCL! In addition, Samantha hosts zoom meetings for volunteers to teach them how to write letter to the editors, practicing with local news articles. She has assisted the blog by editing, transcribing, and even writing some of her own posts.

Samantha is studying at Cornell University, majoring in Environment and Sustainability with a focus on Environmental Humanities, minoring in communications. When not in class, she writes for the school newspaper, the Cornell Daily Sun. She is the communications intern for TIAA- divest, which focuses on divesting from companies who are perpetuating the climate crisis. If that wasn’t enough, she also is a founding member of the Cornell Sierra club, working actively as their webmaster. 

Samantha got started as a climate advocate through the animal rights movement. She’s been vegetarian since she was seven, and vegan since she was fourteen. As she’s grown in her advocacy, she has focused on climate change, because that issue is something that affects people, animals, and the planet. She loves focusing on positive content, which is a huge part of why Samantha loves working with CCL. Here at CCL, we try to discourage climate defeatism through highlighting positive stories and creating access to resources for change. Samantha knows that this approach aligns with her values, and she loves being able to uplift and inspire others to be involved in this way. 

In her free time, Samantha enjoys writing and making delicious vegan food with her loved ones. She loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s skiing, hiking, or swimming- she will always jump in a body of water. Fun fact: She’s been to five Taylor Swift concerts with her dad, who is also a huge Swiftie! 

Thanks for everything you do Samantha, we are so excited to see what your future holds!

Intern Spotlight: Maya Karmaker

We are delighted to introduce Maya as our Education and Engagement Intern this summer. She works on CCL’s volunteering and training programs, where she engages with volunteers online through the “Introduce Yourself” and “Certificate Program” Forums as well as through the learning portal. She has been instrumental in organizing content and creating a welcoming and informative communication with the organization. She is hoping to generate more accessible environmental education while actively engaging in the communities who use our resources. 

Maya got her start in the environmental world when she got to see first hand the disparities between urban communities of color, and wealthier white peers. Everything from outdoor recreation to greenspaces is affected by inequality, with people of color facing the largest impacts of climate change. Maya is passionate about climate because she believes in an equitable future for her urban community, as well as other groups who face the worst of climate change. 

In her free time, Maya enjoys trying out new cuisines and restaurants with her friends and getting outdoors to sit by a body of water. She relaxes by crocheting, word searches, and watching reality TV. We are so excited to have Maya with us this summer!

Intern Spotlight- Sara Eyassu

Sara Eyassu- Summer 2023 Mountain West Climate Advocacy Fellow

Sara Eyassu is our Mountain West Climate Advocacy Fellow! She supports campuses to engage youth in her hometown region of the Mountain West, creating more climate advocacy in the area. Specifically, she works with campus leaders and universities to create meaningful impact and engagement with those populations, with emphasis on youth voices. At the end of the summer, Sara is returning to Los Angeles where she is a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California, majoring in Environmental Studies. 

Sara got into advocacy work at first by changing personal habits, then learned more in her AP Environmental Sciences class, expanding her focus outward. Some of her engagement work outside of CCL includes a teaching fellowship for youth related to environmental justice, Transformational Leadership Board on her campus, and is involved with other clubs at her University. She is particularly interested in environmental justice and youth advocacy. She is interested in environmental policy that takes into account all people, as a healthy environment is a universal issue. 

When she’s not shaping the minds of our youth, you can find Sara being active, either hiking or at the gym. She loves reading, watching tv, and hanging out with her friends. Sara’s love of learning has helped make her a wonderful fellow with us - we are so lucky to have Sara on board this year!

Intern Spotlight: Kaitlin Baumgarten

Kaitlin is our College Outreach Intern this summer!

Kaitlin Baumgarten is a senior at Portland State University majoring in Environmental Studies with a focus on policy and management. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, accessing free public outdoor space nurtured Kaitlin’s interest in environmental advocacy and stewardship. She became more aware of socio-political issues through her education, and is now eager to go into public service as an environmental advocate at the intersection of human and non-human systems. She believes that if we can change how we interact with the Earth, we’ll create a ripple effect that supports justice movements everywhere.

This summer, Kaitlin is serving as our College Outreach intern, communicating with colleges and universities across the United States to promote civic engagement and climate advocacy. She hopes to learn and improve upon her skills in climate communication and engagement through her internship so she may more effectively get people involved in these issues later in her career. She is especially interested in motivating people through optimism instead of climate defeatism. Kaitlin also wants to learn how to build coalitions between diverse groups, especially minoritized groups. While she’s with CCL, she also hopes to gain more insight into how to work with(in) government systems to create policy that is effective, impactful, and realistic.

She is leveraging her varied previous experiences this summer to support CCL’s efforts to build a livable world. As a resident of a Moishe House, a nonprofit that engages young Jewish people, she helps create events for people of all denominations and identities to find community. Last year, she was the volunteer coordinator for the Student Sustainability Center on her campus, connecting volunteers to opportunities and events that engaged them. She has also worked as a trip leader for the university’s Outdoor Program for a couple of years - which is certainly coming in handy this summer as she’s hiking the Alps! Thankfully, Kaitlin really loves outdoor recreation, and especially backpacking, hiking, skiing, climbing, and stand-up paddleboarding. When she’s at home, she loves picnics and trying new vegan recipes, and especially loves spending her time sharing slow-roasted pu’er tea and chatting with friends.

Kaitlin’s love of the world around her and her work ethic is what motivates her climate advocacy. She sees this as a critical moment, but rather than viewing it as an existential crisis, she chooses to view it as an opportunity to improve the future for us and our fellow residents on this planet. We are so excited for the future she’ll help us build!

Intern Spotlight: Eliza Lynch

Eliza Lynch is an undergraduate student at Wellesley College, and served as the College Outreach Intern for our early summer term!

Eliza is Studying Environmental Studies and Peace and Justice Studies with a focus on public and environmental health at Wellesley College. She is particularly interested in issues around Social Justice and advocacy, and is hoping to continue learning about environmental communication and using technology as a tool for the planet. She believes in people-first solutions to both climate change and other environmental issues.

During her time as a College Outreach Intern, Eliza was able to update and adjust the website, making sure that there was relevant information that was accessible to the average viewer. She also managed the CCL higher education instagram page, populating it with relevant job information for upcoming environmental leaders. Eliza helped to plan and prepare for the annual conference in June. This conference brought together the entire CCL team, including volunteers, interns, fellows, and full-time staff. She has really loved her time at CCL, and hopes to learn even more about the organization and all the amazing things they are doing for the planet. In the future, she hopes she can use the skills and opportunities she’s built here to continue to work towards climate advocacy.

Eliza is a California native who likes tea, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. This summer she hopes she can spend more time outdoors, going on hikes with her two dogs, Milo and Maisie. We are so excited about what amazing things she will do in the future!

Intern Spotlight: Josephine Blatny

Welcome Josephine to CCL! We are excited to see the change she would bring to Government Affairs.

In one word:  NERDY

Josephine Blatny is  from Fairbury/Lincoln Nebraska but currently lives at Washington DC.

Her favorite movie is ‘Little Women’ from 2019 starring Saoirse Una Ronan, and her favorite book is surprisingly- ‘Little Women’! Her favorite show is the popular-”Grace & Frankie” and she loves to listen to beautiful noise created by Caamp. Her hobbies are running, reading, writing, and spending time with friends!

Josephine is a third year undergraduate student at Nebraska Wesleyan majoring in Political Science and English. She is a very active on campus, and participates in track and cross country. She also attends school clubs like the greenhouse club, pre-law clubs, and participates Nebrasks Wesleyan University with honors societies. 

CCL is happy to have Josephine as a government Affairs fellow with Citizenc Climate Lobby. Government affair fellows hold the responsibilities of tracking legislation, planning for lobbying conferences, staying up to date on climate related news! Josephine hopes to learn more about grassroots advocacy, work with like - minded individuals, and to make progress on climate legislation.

Intern Spotlight: Ruth Abraham

In one word:  recklessly-optimistic 

Ruth was called to climate advocacy while addressing climate justice issues. She is therefore able to ensure the representation, inclusion, and protection of the rights of those most vulnerable to climate change whose voices are often not heard in the climate movement. Climate advocacy addresses the underlying concerns and creates opportunities for long lasting positive change. 

Ruth is interning with Citizens’ Climate Radio this semester, where she pitches her ideas, curates content, and promotes our CCL’s podcast. A recent graduate of Washington & Lee University, She hopes to learn how to effectively communicate in this new medium of audio-only content throughout her time with CCL. You can tune in to the show to hear her work in episode 82, where she is a co-host and helped produce the episode.

In addition to her internship with CCL, Ruth is an active contributor to Our National Conversation, a nonpartisan news, opinion and public policy solutions platform, where she is the Science, Environment, and Technology Team Lead.. Some personal hobbies of Ruth’s (besides fighting for change, of course), include reading memoirs, music and playing guitar, hiking and camping. Her main interests include faith, yoga + pilates, and reading.

Welcome Ruth to CCL! We can not wait to see what she fights for in her next steps of climate advocacy!

Fellow Spotlight: Nolan Stumpf

Welcome Nolan to CCL! He is a Master’s Student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In one word:  Optimistic 

Nolan is a student at the University of Wisconsin Madison pursuing a Masters of Agricultural & Applied Economics and Energy Analysis & Policy. He also works for RENEW, a nonprofit advocacy and policy organization that supports renewable energy in Wisconsin.

Nolan recognized the dire need for our world leaders to take action on emissions reductions to save the planet, and decided to do something about it by getting more involved in climate advocacy.

He is currently a Climate Advocacy Fellow in the Great Lakes region. He conducts outreach to higher ed institutions about climate-related opportunities. He also recruits, interviews, and mentors campus leaders across the Great Lakes region. Another aspect of his role is researching local organizations and identifying opportunities for outreach and collaboration. In addition, he engages with local organizations and the media through his local CCL chapter and writing letters to the editors. During his time at CCL, he has also researched the local potential of the benefits available in the Inflation Reduction Act, and has supported the Great Lakes Region in engaging young people and conservatives.

Nolan hopes to build his personal and professional skills while supporting those around him in the organization. His hobbies include playing guitar, hiking and camping. With that being said, please give a warm welcome to Nolan!

Intern Spotlight: Lila Powell

In one word:  Jovial

Lila's initiative towards creating a sustainable, healthy environment is really important to her and climate change is one major area she intends to make an impact. She was drawn to climate advocacy because it creates a better environment for the future. Lila recently graduated from William & Mary with a degree in Kinesiology & Health Science and Environmental Studies. She is currently working for Little Friends For Peace, which is a DC-area based non-profit that focuses on peace education for all age groups.

Lila is an intern for Citizen's Climate Radio this semester. Some of her duties include listening to and providing feedback for the podcast episodes, researching and pitching episode ideas, and creating promotional materials. She also assists with editing the podcasts. Lila hopes to learn more about effective science communication and get more experience in podcast editing.

Lila’s hobbies include gardening, hiking, exploring, and tattoos! Lila’s favorite music includes Vista Kicks & The Pretty Reckless, and she recently got a new pet fish named Gibby. Welcome to CCL, Lila!

You can catch Lila co-hosting the February 2023 episode of Citizens’ Climate Radio on Women in Wild Places.

 Welcome Lila to CCL! We can not wait to see what she discovers in her exploring adventures!

Intern Spotlight: Zach Torpie

In one word: Ambitious 

Zach Torpie is a recent graduate from University of Maryland Global Campus, where he earned a masters in Environmental Management. A New York native, he earned his bachelors in Environmental Engineering at Stony Brook University while also volunteering with the Billion Oyster Project.

Zach currently works for Aurora Water and is an intern with CCL. His intern responsibilities are working on the Conservative Climate Radio production and launching the new radio show. Zach's goal is to learn new skills and expand his network of climate activists so that he can continue to learn.

 Zach grew up watching  ‘Crocodile Hunter’, an educational television series that focused on conservation for crocodiles and reptiles. Crocodile Hunter fueled Zach’s ambition to learn how to save the environment or wildlife. 

When he’s not busy saving the environment, you can find Zach playing basketball, hiking, reading, and of course, continuously learning new things. His favorite movie is Jurassic Park and favorite book is Shogun. Zach loves to enjoy his time by listening to Linkin Park along with his cat, Artemis.

Give a warm welcome to  Zach and Artemis! We can not wait to see what they will bring to CCL!

Intern Spotlight: Emma Villegas

In one word:  Curious

From a young age, marine science has been a great interest for Emma with all of her first-hand experience with the beauty within the ocean. As a Florida native, she grew up in Miami near the ocean, which gave her a deep appreciation for her precious environment. Emma is now a student at Boston College majoring in International Studies and Environmental Studies and her passion for marine science influenced her to go into climate advocacy and participating in classes like environmental law and environmental policy to learn more.

This spring, Emma is working as CCL’s Conservative Outreach Intern! Her responsibilities include being a conservative outreach coordinator and working with her supervisor to help run some of CCL’s  Twitter accounts and organize some of CCL's informational tools. Emma plans to learn more about potential ways and solutions to combat climate through policy. We are excited to have Emma in the CCL team, and cannot wait to see what she brings!

Emma is a Sophomore at Boston College and we are excited to see what she brings to CCL with her awareness about climate advocacy.

Intern Spotlight: Nesha Subramaniam

Nesha is CCL’s Conservative Outreach Intern this spring! She is a junior at University of Pennsylvania.

In one word:  Open-Minded

Nesha is a California native and a student at University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Environmental Studies.  This spring, Nesha is working as CCL’s Conservative Outreach Intern, where her responsibilities include assisting the Conservative Outreach Coordinator to engage right-of-center individuals in environmental and climate advocacy to help increase their support for market-based policies. She will also be recruiting individuals to the Young and Conservative Caucuses, while conducting research on federal and state legislators. In addition, Nesha will provide administrative support with calls, emails, research, and data entry.  

In school, Nesha has seen her studies highlight the influence of climate change in today's weather patterns leading to an increase of floods, droughts and storms. Due to these extreme weather changes, the global community is seeing impacts to food security and water resources, which can lead to more shortages. Nesha is passionate about climate advocacy because of the potential it has to influence people and policies to bring about change and with such awareness comes the hope that further action can be taken and supported to drastically reduce climate hazards.

When she is not in class, Nesha enjoys tea, taking long walks or re-watching her favorite movie ‘Wall-E’. On her walks she reflects on climate advocacy, hoping to one day build support for national bipartisan climate solutions. We think she’s in the right place, so stand by to see the climate advocacy she brings to CCL!

Intern Spotlight: Dahlía Martínez

Dahlía Martínez is CCL’s College Outreach Intern this spring! She is a senior environmental science major at Kennesaw State University.

In one word: driven!

Dahlía has always loved nature and being outdoors, but as she got older, she started noticing more and more how these special places were changing - and worse, being devalued and polluted. She started researching more about the environment and learned how humans play such a large role in the health of the planet. Dahlía is a Georgia native and part-time student at Kennesaw State University. When she’s not in class, she works full time as a supervisor at Costco, where she has led her team to engage in more sustainable practices. Dahlía hopes to push herself this semester to explore outside of her comfort zone!

This spring, Dahlía is working as CCL’s College Outreach Intern! Her responsibilities include reaching out to colleges about climate change opportunities and identifying opportunities for students to engage in climate action or apply for scholarships/fellowships. She will also be compiling short features like this one about CCL’s interns and fellows to share on the Higher Ed website and CCL platforms. Stay tuned to the blog to see more of her exciting projects in the months ahead! In her free time, Dahlía is also involved with  Eco-Owls and WACA club, both of which are environmentally aware groups trying to influence students to be more eco-friendly. She enjoys exploring new trails in her backyard and on her travels, and also attending some of her favorite artist’s concerts (up next: Sia!). She has two dogs, Tucker and Mario, who need lots of love and are spoiled rotten. 

Dahlía is excited for her internship because she knows she “will gain knowledge, experience, and confidence with CCL.” We are excited to see how she brings her passion for the outdoors to our climate advocacy and communications this spring!

Fellow Spotlight: Maxanne Millerhaller

In one word: enthusiastic! 

Maxanne is CCL’s Northeast Climate Advocacy Fellow, 2022-2023! She is currently a sophomore at Fordham University.

As Maxanne learns more about the dangers and consequences of climate change, the more she is compelled to act upon it. Like many, she was inspired to participate in climate advocacy because she believes it’s the most important issue. Maxanne is a sophomore at Fordham University majoring in interdisciplinary math, economics, and environmental studies. She currently lives in the Bronx. NY but originally is from Inver Grove Heights, MN. 

Maxanne was drawn to CCL because she admired CCL for its respectful, educational, and non-partisan approach to climate solutions. As CCL’s Northeast Climate Advocacy Fellow, she splits her time between supporting higher education, supporting the Northeast regional coordinators, and working on her passion project of starting a CCL chapter at Fordham University. Her responsibilities include supporting the Northeast regional coordinator and New York state coordinators in planning events, like candidate forums during the 2022 election and next year’s Northeast Regional CCL Conference. She also supports several campus leaders who are leading climate action at their universities!

At school, she is involved in the Sustainability Committee, Women’s Empowerment Club, and student research. Her favorite artist is Taylor Swift, and her favorite shows are Breaking Bad, New Girl, and Gilmore Girls. She has two cats named Toby and Reina! 

Through her role, she hopes to learn more about how volunteers can come together to make a tangible change! With Maxanne’s help, CCL can advance its outreach in the Northeast.

Fellow Spotlight: Sasha Guzman

In one word: multifaceted! 

Sasha is CCL’s Latinos Engagement Fellow, 2022-2023! She is currently a senior at Juniata College.

Throughout her life, Sasha has always been involved in activism. Climate advocacy was a perfect fit for her passion for the environment. She is currently a senior at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, studying environmental science and English, but she originally hails from  Bronx, NY. This semester, she is studying abroad in Cork, Ireland! 

Currently, she serves as the Latinos Engagement Fellow, working with the Latinos Engagement Team. Some of her responsibilities include: attending and participating in weekly debrief meetings, reaching out to and welcoming new members, and running the Latinos Engagement Instagram, which enables her to research and cultivate posts about all things Latino and Climate. Through her fellowship, she hopes to expand her knowledge about the current climate and find ways to work towards a solution she can implement in her daily life. She also hopes to gain professional experience participating in the climate advocacy community. Although she is not involved in other organizations, she hopes to use CCL as a stepping stone to familiarize herself with more organizations she can be a part of. 

Sasha is a life-long learner and loves to learn new things! She has a myriad of hobbies because she wants to experience as much of the world as possible. Her favorite movie is Legends of the Fall, her favorite show is Fleabag or Stranger Things, her favorite book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and her favorite band is The 1975. Sasha also has a leopard gecko named Pharrell Williams! 

Sasha’s work towards creating a more inclusive and diverse space for minorities in climate advocacy is crucial in cultivating climate leaders of all backgrounds. We are lucky to have her!

Intern Spotlight: Finley Hungerford

In one word: attentive! 

Finley is CCL’s Blog Communications Intern this fall! He is a senior at the University of Oregon.

California has been experiencing the impacts of climate change, especially the increased intensity of forest fires. Growing up in the Golden State, Finley witnessed this change firsthand.  This experience led him to want to learn more about what was being done to solve the impacts these fires have on him and his community. He is a senior at the University of Oregon studying city planning and policy. 

This fall, Finley is serving as CCL’s communications intern. Some of his responsibilities include assisting in editing and uploading blogs through G Suite and Wordpress. He has also done a ton of work formatting Citizens’ Climate Radio blog posts, transcripts, and digital links. One of his long-term projects has been creating a “How to” guide for future Comms interns, outlining the blog creation and uploading process His favorite book is on the Road by Jack Kerouac, and he has a dog named Lucy! 

Through this internship, he hopes to learn more about how people who may not have a daily job working on the environment and climate can still make a difference for the better. He believes that learning to show off people’s efforts to pursue climate solutions through CCL is important. 

Intern Spotlight: Mia DiCostanzo

In one word: energetic! 

Mia is CCL’s Communications Intern this fall! She is a sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Mia wants to address the inequalities exacerbated by climate change and allow local communities to use their specialized knowledge to tackle problems. Her passion for climate advocacy is reflected in her academics. Mia joined CCL in her senior year of high school when she had the exciting chance to lobby for carbon pricing in multiple meetings with her local U.S. Representative. As a student Representative in those meetings, she highlighted the urgency for taking action and why this solution was the right direction to move in. She is a sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara studying environmental sciences. 

Currently, she serves as CCL’s communication intern. Some of her responsibilities include: writing regular posts for the CCL blog and publishing them using WordPress, reviewing volunteer media reports in the Action Tracker for quality control, helping staff prepare for and run media trainings for volunteers, drafting social media copy, and handling some community engagement on Twitter. She has also been inviting other interns to participate in LTE writing workshops, building community across our interns this semester while sharing what she has learned! Through this role, she hopes to learn more about how action from volunteers can translate into actual change. 

In addition to her involvement with CCL, she is also an active member of the Rise Above Plastics Committee for Surfrider, a coastal conservation organization. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and baking. She has two dogs, Rosie and Dinky. 

Mia’s role is crucial for CCL to keep in touch with the community and spread awareness of the organization.

Intern Spotlight: Shae Reinberg

In one word: driven! 

Shae is CCL’s Programs Intern this fall! She is a sophomore at Washington and Lee University.

The evident effects of climate change, such as the melting polar ice caps, weather pattern changes, and other events, are terrifying to observe in real time. Shae’s anxiety over the climate crisis and how it would affect the future drew her to climate advocacy. Taking action became an outlet for her to deal with the emotions she was experiencing. Her passion for the environment is evident in her academic path. She is currently a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, studying environmental studies and politics. 

Shae hails from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is currently located in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she is carrying out her duties as CCL’s Programs Intern. In this role, she works closely with Donald Addu, the director of programs at CCL. They have weekly meetings during which they discuss a variety of topics, such as climate bills, renewable energy, economics, finances, and government. She also helps Don complete various tasks related to his work, such as creating educational content for CCL programs.

In addition to her involvement with CCL, she is also an active member of the Surfrider Foundation Cape Fear Chapter, Cape Fear River Watch, and Our Climate. She enjoys surfing, hiking, reading, watching movies, and writing in her free time. Her favorite movie is Surf’s Up, her favorite TV show is Game of Thrones, her favorite book is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, and her favorite music artist is Tame Impala. 

Shae hopes to gain additional experience and knowledge and meet the staff working at CCL to see how the nonprofit functions. We are lucky to have her! 

Intern Spotlight: Hannah Beckett

In one word: dependable! 

Hannah is CCL’s climate advocacy certificate program evaluation intern! She is a senior at the College of New Jersey.

Hannah’s interest in climate advocacy started from her upbringing in a household that valued sustainability, cultivating her curiosity to learn more about environmental issues. Her interest expands into her education career through high school and college. These courses have broadened her understanding of and fueled her overall passion for climate advocacy. Hannah is currently a senior at the College of New Jersey, pursuing double majors in psychology and environmental studies and a minor in marketing. 

As CCL’s Climate Advocacy Certificate Program (CACP) evaluation intern, her responsibilities include creating engaging surveys for certificate program participants to take upon program completion. She is applying her academic training in social science methods to analyze survey responses to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the certificate program on participants’ climate advocacy skills. In addition, she is conducting interviews with past participants to learn more about their experience and impressions of the program. At the end of her internship, her findings will be used to validate core objectives and refine the program to make sure every participant’s needs are met through the certificate. In addition to CCL, she is an active member of Circle K international. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and participating in sports. 

Hannah hopes that through her role, she will obtain professional experience in the field and further develop her professional skills while advancing CCL and its mission. 

Intern Spotlight: Isa Merritt

In one word: devoted! 

Isa is CCL’s education and engagement intern! She is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Isa’s love for traveling, being outdoors, and bonding with people from other backgrounds drives her interest in climate advocacy. The crux of everything she values is advocating for a healthy environment for all. This belief fuels her interest in intersectionality studies and the environment's health. Isa is currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying political science with a concentration in international relations and minors in environmental studies and philosophy. She is also researching environmental racism and the connection between indigenous practices and people to a sustainable environment. 

This fall, Isa serves as an intern for CCL’s Education and Engagement team and Elections Advisory Council. Some of her responsibilities include: interacting with community members that want to learn more about climate advocacy through assisting with the weekly Core Volunteer Training on topics such as grassroots outreach and climate science and strategizing and implementing a plan to increase campus member involvement in election-related activities.  She hopes to broaden her knowledge of platforms with which people interact and engage during her internship. Through her participation in civil activities, she also hopes to learn more about how one can use their voice and how people have the power to put environmental policies in motion. In addition to her involvement in CCL, Isa is the diversity chair and legal blog writer of VCU’s Pre-Law Society and a member of VCU’s NAACP. 

Isa loves to travel, attend music festivals, and try new foods in her free time! Her favorite music artist is Jenevieve, and she has a 14-year-old pug named Prince. 

Isa’s position empowers her to educate and engage community members with climate in mind. With her help, CCL can advance its climate education efforts to a diverse community.