SNRE Student Ambassadors
Why Michigan?
Prestigious program reputation. Interdisciplinarity of education. Vast alumni network. Powerhouse in sports.
Why Michigan?
The Behavior, Education, and Communication (BEC) field of study is the reason I chose Michigan. This program truly unique to UM and offers an exclusive, specialized niche. The BEC faculty are pioneers in the fields of environmental psychology, behavior change, and environmental education. Additionally, I was impressed by the feelings of community that I experienced among the SNRE students during my visits. Sometimes I forget that I attend one of the largest schools in Michigan, because I see friendly familiar faces everyday.
Why Michigan?
I attend SNRE because the school houses so many lenses for understanding our environment. In Dana, we constantly interact with one another's work, both formally and informally. I relish opportunities to communicate with others in many fields because my goals are defined by places, not disciplines. As a student studying Landscape Architecture, I am learning how I can use design principles to improve and restore ecological relationships.
Why Michigan?
Having spent my undergrad at University of Michigan, I knew that a graduate degree at SNRE was going to be a strong interdisciplinary experience. I have learned about energy technologies, sustainable business strategies, policy drivers, and green-consumer behavior. My master's project with Michigan municipalities and internships at Johnson Controls and Ford Motor Company have been really important hands-on learning experiences complimenting my academics. All of these experiences have been integral in shaping my future career in corporate sustainability strategy.
Dual Degree: MBA
Why Michigan?
I chose to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan because I was looking for a top-notch masters program in which I could bring together quantitative and qaulitative methods, social sciences and hard sciences, and business, policy, and law to better understand the challenges that climate change presents. I wanted the opportunity to work with professors and students in world class business and law schools in addition to SNRE, and I was particularly excited that SNRE had formalized programs in Environmental Justice and Behavior, Education, and Communication.
Why Michigan?
I chose SNRE because it was the best program for my interests in ecology and environmental policy. The interdisciplinary program brings together a diverse group of students and faculty that has provided me with a breadth of learning experiences I would not have found elsewhere. The SNRE alumni network is also a wonderful thing to be a part of, I have already had great experiences reaching out to and working with alumni.
Why Michigan?
I was most drawn to SNRE because of the diversity of interests and interdisciplinarity of SNRE's student body and faculty, which I think facilitates a rich learning environment. Just as importantly, there are quite a few students and faculty who are working on issues surrounding poverty, rural livelihoods, and natural resource management in less-industrialized countries, my primary area of interest. My professors and classmates challenge me to think more deeply about critical social-environmental issues, which is exciting and useful.
Why Michigan?
SNRE allows for flexibility to focus on your specific skills and interests. The Master's Project is just one example of flexibility, plus the projects industry focus ensures its relevance. The faculty and staff at UM are incredibly knowledgeable and accessible.
Why Michigan?
I came to Michigan for its academic quality, both at SNRE and other graduate professional programs. SNRE's emphasis on applied, professional learning exemplified by the Master's Project was another key factor for me. In-state tuition also made it a practical option. Despite those reasons, I've found that the greatest asset is working with colleagues with a shared mission.
Dual Degree: Public Policy
Why Michigan?
I selected U of M for its diverse cultural community and top-notch research opportunities. SNRE offered me an ideal blend of natural and social sciences-based curriculum and training that has deepened my understanding and honed my skills in handling complex natural resource management issues
Why Michigan?
I came to SNRE because it is one of the only programs that has a focus in Behavior, Education, and Communication within a Natural Resources department. The opportunity to work with a diverse range of backgrounds on different career paths on a master's project with a client was a big draw. Additionally, the Alumni network and continued involvement with the school and current students was an added benefit. Lastly, the open and welcoming graduate and faculty community even before arrival was a deciding factor in attending SNRE.
Why Michigan?
I chose SNRE because of its multi-disciplinary approach to addressing environmental issues.The breadth and diversity of faculty and students interests (from aquatics, to environmental justice, to land use policy) signalled to me that I would receive a unique and dynamic education.I was also inspired by the variety of careers that SNRE alumni have.
Dual Degree: Urban Planning
Why Michigan?
The University of Michigan and the School of Natural Resources and Environment has a long history of ichthyology and fisheries experts. The current researchers here have great reputations that continue this legacy. So the chance to work with them was an incredible opportunity. Combined with the proximity to the Great Lakes which hold 20% of the world's freshwater, it was a "natural" fit for me to work on these systems.
Why Michigan?
I chose to come to SNRE because of the interdisciplinary program and diversity found within the student body. The option to take classes from different schools within UM, the passion and expertise of the SNRE faculty, and the real world applicability from a Master’s Project were all also major benefits that drew me to the program.
Why Michigan?
The interdisciplinary nature of SNRE in conjunction with the prestige of Michigan and its alumni are the reasons I came to Ann Arbor, while the dedication, commitment and warmth of the community (faculty, staff, and students) are the reasons I feel at home.
Why Michigan?
University of Michigan is a flagship of prestigeous programs. As a professional shifting career path with 7 years of international experience, SNRE and other nationally and internationally top programs, such as policy, business, public health, and economics, will provide with me the most diverse opportunity in dealing with my learning needs horizontally and vertically.
Dual Degree: Econ
Why Michigan?
I chose Michigan (and SNRE) because of the quality of the program and the possibilities offered within each program. What also attracted me is the interdisciplinary approach and the possibility of tailoring the program to your specific interests. The faculty impressed me having top researchers in all program areas. As a student now, I feel that being in contact with different fields of study is a great opportunity to learn more about each FOS perspective.
Why Michigan?
I chose to come to SNRE because of the interdisciplinary opportunities it offers. I love that there are so many cross-listed courses with other schools and that we're able to take several electives. I was also very interested in the Masters Project, since it offers hands-on experience with a real client and develops teamwork and organizational skills. Lastly, I was drawn to the SNRE faculty and the diverse backgrounds and experience they offer.
Dual Degree: MBA
Why Michigan?
SNRE is a really unique group of programs and I wanted to be a part of both its legacy of environmental justice and research as well as its affiliation with the renowned institution of the University of Michigan. I made my final decision based on the faculty at SNRE and our shared interests.
Why Michigan?
I chose Michigan and SNRE due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program. I wanted a program that really incorporated engineering, social science, environmental science, and environmental psychology into one program as well as the flexibility to take classes or even gain a joint-degree with another school on campus. That and the Master's Project offered me the opportunity to work with a real client on a project that has real world application to sustainability.
Dual Degree: MBA
Why Michigan?
I chose Michigan primarily for the Environmental Justice program and the ability I would have to study climate justice and adaptation locally and internationally, especially as it relates to development. I also liked the integration of social and ecological systems thinking and the ability to take courses across departments and FOS.
Why Michigan?
I love the interdisciplinary nature of the school and the passion of the students and faculty. I'd studied energy and the environment in undergrad from a policy perspective, but felt my technical knowledge was lacking, which is why I chose Sustainable Systems as my FOS. Since arriving, I've realized that I also want to better understand how people interact with energy and technology, and am considering adding Behavior, Education and Communication as a second FOS. SNRE also offers access to the many other world-class programs at the University, including several joint degree programs.
Dual Degree: MBA
Why Michigan?
I chose SNRE becuase of the program's broad strength in the policy and planning field and becuase I could combine SNRE's curriculum with resources from the univeristy's top-tier law, business, and policy schools. Michigan is far from mountains, which tend to distract me; location was also a factor.
Why Michigan?
The key thing that attracted me to Michigan was not only the strength of the SNRE masters program but also the other schools on campus. During my time at Michigan, I've already taken courses at the Ross Business School and School of Information and hope to take courses at the School of Engineering and Architecture before graduating. Another great aspect of the program was the ability to take courses around my areas of intereset - energy efficiency and conservation and more broadly sustainability.
Why Michigan?
I decided to attend SNRE because of my faculty advisers. My research is in Latin America and both faculty members have renowned research in the area. Moreover, the University of Michigan offers an array of resources and opportunities to conduct research abroad. My own research in Ecuador and my studies of the Quechua language of Peru have been sponsored by UM and SNRE. The masters program truly fosters cross-disciplinary studies and collaboration.
Why Michigan?
As the only school in the nation with a program that combined my background of Psychology and Environmental Studies, the Behavior, Education and Communication track at SNRE was the only grad program that I applied to, My undergrad research was based on the work of the Kaplans, so finding Rachel Kaplan as member of the BEC faculty sealed the deal.
Why Michigan?
Two main characteristics of SNRE motivated my decision to choose the University of Michigan: the opportunity to work with a diverse group of colleagues and real-world clients on a masters project, and the caliber of the faculty I would be learning from. The flexibility of the curriculum at SNRE allows for me to take classes over a range of topics, each with professors who are considered leaders in their field.
Why Michigan?
The strength of the social sciences at SNRE really makes it stand out against its competition. For me, these opportunities have included a masters project on an innovative federal land management policy, a course on ecosystem services, and researching current environmental legislation. These courses and projects ensure that the program serves the students well in post-graduate endeavors where they can truly make an impact.
Dual Degree: Public Policy
Why Michigan?
When I visited SNRE as an admitted prospective, I was impressed with the degree to which faculty took an interest in me. I did not get this attention at any other graduate school to which I applied. Another draw for me was the Erb Institute. I knew I wanted to study how sustainability can be used as a business tool to achieve competitive advantage,while also achieving positive impact.
Dual Degree: MBA
Why Michigan?
SNRE was an easy choice. The school has a very close-knit community and maintains strong relationships with other departments on campus. I was eager to meet students and faculty who shared my specific interests related to the environment, but I was also excited broaden my horizons. The range of people and projects at SNRE and UM in general make for a very dynamic and diverse intellectual community.
Why Michigan?
SNRE offers me the opportunity to pursue my interests in this vast field and it has been the best learning experience I have ever had. There are many valuable resources could be utilized on and off the campus. Plus, I very much enjoyed my life in Ann Arbor. Go Blue!
Dual Degree: Econ