Undergraduate degree: The University of Iowa, Psychology and Communication Studies, with a minor in Theatre Arts, 2007

Age: 27

Prior to SNRE: I was a health science research specialist at the VA Medical Center of Iowa City, working on studies related to health psychology and medical anthropology. I also worked on The University of Iowa health science campus, coaching medical, dental, and pharmacy students and residents on communication skills, and training others to do the same.

Why Behavior, Education, & Communication?: While I enjoyed what I was doing in the healthcare sector, I knew I wanted to apply my interests to what I see as the most pressing issues of our time. I see it as all connected—if we can facilitate behavior change that minds the health of the planet, the health of people follows suit. They're two sides of the same coin.  SNRE has a handful of faculty interested in the interplay of well-being and sustainability, so it was an obvious choice. In fact, it was the only choice.

The best part of SNRE so far: I've really enjoyed the content I've encountered in my electives. On almost a weekly basis I keep finding myself saying, "This is exactly what I came here for!" I feel extremely fortunate to be learning about the topics that excite me from the people who quite literally wrote the book on them.

“SNREdiest” thing he’s done: Hmm, tinkering with STELLA models for hours upon hours on end, all the while knowing they only amount to a tiny fraction of your grade.  At some point (2, 3 in the morning?) you start to come to terms with the fact that you're doing it not for the grade, but because secretly, deep down, you kinda like it. And at that point, you realize there's no going back—you're a full-blooded SNREd.

After graduation: I like to say I'm keeping my options open. Ultimately, I'd love to design, teach, and consult on various behavior change, education, and communication campaigns, with specific interests in climate change, physical and psychological well-being, and individual consumption choices.