Congratulations 2018 Sustainability Intern Graduates
The Office of Sustainability congratulates our current and former graduating interns, all of whom have been integral in Wake Forest’s campus sustainability efforts.
Cristin Berardo, an English and biology double major with a minor in chemistry, is graduating magna cum laude. For the past two years, Cristin has been working as an energy intern with Facilities and Campus Services to establish baseline data on building usage with respect to energy consumption.
Cristin’s reflection on the internship: I have learned so much from this internship and made many great connections with people along the way. Through this experience I have gained an entire new skill set and become more aware of national, local, and global social and environmental issues. This internship fostered my passion for sustainability, which I now want to pursue as a career.
Emily Claire Mackey has been involved with the Office of Sustainability since 2014, serving as a Sustainability Ambassador (2014), a Campus Garden Intern (2015-2016), and the ReCycle Bike Share Intern (2017-2018). Emily Claire will graduate cum laude with a degree in economics and minors in environmental science and global trade and commerce studies.
Emily Claire’s reflection on the internship: My fluency in sustainability has been expanded, challenged, and at times flipped on its head by this internship experience. The Office and its projects therein display how intersectional campus sustainability is and I am still in awe of the fact that I’ve gotten to be a part of it for so many years.
Maya Revell, a Biology major, has served as the Waste Reduction Intern for the Spring 2018 semester. In this position, she has analyzed campus solid waste streams to inform the university’s next steps to reduce landfill waste. Maya plans to pursue a career in environmental justice after graduation.
Maya’s reflection on the internship: My internship was a really valuable experience! From this semester, I learned a great deal about the different waste streams, how to advocate for sustainable improvements on campus, and the importance of understanding different perspectives when working to create change. The tactical skills that I have gained as well as the conversations that I have had with other sustainability interns have helped me to become a well-rounded individual and prepared me to pursue a career in environmental sustainability.
Gabby Pulsinelli will graduate with a Master of Arts in Sustainability upon completion of her thesis in August. During the spring semester, Gabby served as a public art intern, on a team with two other students, to create a participatory art experience that engaged the Wake Forest community in issues of environmental justice. Within the next few years, Gabby plans to pursue a PhD in Sustainability or Environmental Studies.
Gabby’s reflection on the internship: This semester has been a great opportunity to learn what it means to promote sustainability on a college campus and to work with a great group of people who value sustainability as much as I do. It was challenging to create an educational, environmental justice-themed mural that the entire Wake Forest campus community could participate in, but the project showed how important it is to educate others on these issues.
Energy Management Intern – Facilities & Campus Services
Chemistry major with minors in Neuroscience and Biology
Mary Finger, a Chemistry major with minors in Neuroscience and Biology, graduated magna cum laude. Mary served as an energy intern with Facilities and Campus Services in the fall of 2015.
Sebastian Irby is the first Wake Forest student to graduate with an interdisciplinary degree in Sustainability Studies for which she received the Leadership Champions of Change Award in 2017. Sebastian graduated cum laude. She served as a Special Projects Intern in the spring of 2015 and fall of 2016. After graduation, Sebastian will intern with the Environmental Protection Network.
Hayden Lineberger graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business and Enterprise Management. Hayden served as a freelance photographer with the Office of Sustainability in 2017.
Suzy Mullins, dining intern (2015-2016), news writing intern (fall 2016), and content development assistant (2017-2018), is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in English and a minor in environmental science. Suzy will continue to focus on her passion for environmental education by attending the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.
The entire Office of Sustainability staff wishes all 2018 graduates the best in the next chapter of their lives and careers.