OGL Great Lakes Note: OGL fosters next generation of water resource leaders

Office of the Great Lakes fosters next generation of water resource leaders

Top student talent gains real-world experience, mentorship, and inspiration

The Office of the Great Lakes believes that giving students the tools and experience to succeed will carry its mission of environmental stewardship and water literacy to the next generation. The OGL offers internships to help talented students learn and grow alongside professionals while contributing energy and innovation to real-world projects. This year’s students are future leaders working on solutions to tomorrow’s most challenging environmental issues.

Katerina Crowley is a Michigan State University Honors College student nearing graduation with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife, and a recent recipient of the program’s Outstanding Senior Award. She began working for the Office of the Great Lakes through a co-sponsored internship with the MSU Canadian Studies Center Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and continued on as a Glassen Scholar. The Hal and Jean Glassen Scholars Program offers students real-world experience and exposure to policymaking for complex natural resource issues. She has provided invaluable assistance on projects including the Michigan Water Strategy and analysis of regional cross-border trade organizations, culminating in a white paper titled "Analysis of Great Lakes Cross-Border Trade Organizations." The OGL wishes her well in her next opportunity to attend Plymouth State University in New Hampshire to pursue a Master of Science program in Environmental Science. Katerina plans to study impacts of pollutants on stream quality and watershed management practices to protect and restore water quality. She hopes to pursue a career in natural resource management focused on citizen science coordination and watershed management.

The OGL recently hired economics and international relations major, Christina Pastoria, as a student assistant. Christina is studying at MSU’s James Madison College and the College of Social Science, and is also a member of the Honors College. This spring, she received a 2017 Board of Trustees Award for having the highest scholastic average at the close of her last semester in attendance at MSU. Christina has jumped into a series of exciting and challenging water resource projects and looks forward to applying her studies to research and analysis of the economic impact of investments in Great Lakes protection and restoration. In addition, she will focus on assessing the socioeconomic benefits of these activities including the impacts of investments in Great Lakes restoration on community well-being.

This summer, the OGL will welcome Madeleine Gorman as its newest Glassen Scholar. She is pursuing a dual degree in Environmental Science and Community Sustainability at Michigan State University and will be working on advancing a series of recommendations from the Water Strategy focused on water conservation and efficiency. Her work will focus on community engagement and exploring cultural values associated with water and Michigan’s water heritage. The OGL looks forward to working with another talented student from the Glassen Scholar program.

Learn more about the Office of the Great Lakes’ mission to protect, restore, and sustain Michigan’s Great Lakes resources at www.michigan.gov/deqogl.

Individuals who are passionate about environmental topics and seek a rewarding way to put their interests to work can explore internship opportunities with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality by contacting Tom Occhipinti at occhipintit@michigan.gov, 517-284-6867.

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