Highlight on Alumni

Alumni who have graduate from the program are involved in a variety of significant roles in the environmental sector. Learn more about what some of them are doing and their experiences with the program.

Christopher Burgess

What year did you graduate?

2005

Where do you currently work and what do you do?

U.S Environmental Protection Agency - I am the Emergency Operations Center Team Leader.  I manage the center on a day to day basis supporting the agency prepare and respond to environmental emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, industrial chemical accidents, oil spills and homeland security
incidents.

Why did you choose to get your Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins? 

The prestige of Johns Hopkins University, the great curriculum and the convenient location

What was your most memorable experience from the program?

The hands-on field trip to the source of the Rappahannock River in VA. We covered a great deal of subject material for our Hydrology course with a terrific instructor and the watershed as the classroom.

Has the program enhanced your career? 

Absolutely.

What are your future plans? 

Continue my career at EPA but keep an eye on the growing alternative energy industry for opportunities.

Susie Creamer

What year did you graduate?
 
I graduated with my M.S. in ESP in 2007.  My concentration is ecological management.
 
Where do you currently work and what do you do?
 
I currently teach middle school Earth Science at St. Paul’s School for Girls.  I also have been working for two years as the TA for the Hopkins ESP course titled Coral Reefs and Caves: The Geology of the Bahamas.
 
Why did you choose to get your Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins?
 
The Hopkins program suited my needs for a strong science curriculum that wasn’t too heavy on policy.  Among the challenging electives offered were courses relevant to our own actions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which is a priority for me, having grown up on the Bay.  I also needed a graduate program that was feasible with my full time work schedule.
 
What was your most memorable experience from the program?
 
My most memorable experiences are those of the field work on the overnight trips to western Maryland.  The hands on studies in geology and stream ecology facilitated understanding at a level deeper than that available in an indoor classroom.  They also gave me a chance to get to know other students, which fostered friendships and networking.
 
How has the program enhanced your career?
 
Because I teach science, my graduate studies directly enhanced my instruction.  Many times I shared with my students what I learned the night before in class at Hopkins.  I then strengthened and revised my curriculum, bringing it to a higher level.  My master’s also gave me more specific knowledge that enabled me to lead a community environmental education project at my school titled Going Green: Awareness to Action.
 
What are your future plans?
 
I am fascinated by several aspects of the environmental field.  The two areas that interest me most are 1) conservation’s role in proper ecotourism and 2) the connections between human health, agriculture, and the environment.  The education of tomorrow’s leaders is crucial to success in these and other environmental areas.
 
I would also like to add my enthusiasm for the increasing number of international course opportunities through AAP at Hopkins.  Having served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, I appreciate the value in experiencing other cultures and communicating with people in a way that makes sense to them.  Teaching environmental education in a rural community in a developing country is a world away from teaching it at a private school in Baltimore, though globalization is bringing these communities closer together every day.  Master’s students need to graduate prepared for success in our dynamic world, and I look forward to seeing more classes that empower Johns Hopkins students to do this.

Tawanda Maignan

What year did you graduate?

I graduated in 2004 with a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy.

Where do you currently work and what do you do

Currently, I am on detail from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Policy Advisor to Congressman Alcee Hastings who represents Florida’s 23rd District (Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach).  My portfolio includes but not limited to issues related to Agriculture, Disaster Relief, and Environmental matters such as Everglades Restoration, Energy and Water. 

Why did you choose to get your Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins?

I chose to get my Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins because of Hopkins distinguished reputation and flexible course schedule.  Additionally, I was impressed by the Environmental Science and Policy program and the potential to utilize components of the coursework in my everyday tasks.

What was your most memorable experience from the program?

My most memorable experiences during my time in the program occurred during field trips and off-campus gatherings.  Specifically, I had my first camping experience during a Geological Foundations of Environmental Science field trip.  I learned to appreciate tap water more during a Hydrology and Water Resources field trip. Last but not least, I gained a lifelong friend from the program.

How has the program enhanced your career?

As an Environmental Protection Specialist at the EPA in the Office of Pesticide Programs, I am required to review and evaluate pesticide chemical risk assessments/applications for compliance with regulations. Additionally, in some instances I must develop mitigation options for potential risks above the Agency’s threshold. As a result of my degree, my ability to understand the science and application of policy was increased.  Furthermore, I learned to apply the decisions to a real world experience which was a skill gained from the field trips and environmental marketing lectures.

In my current capacity on Capitol Hill, I am utilizing most of the course work in my routine practices via basic awareness.  Much like the ESP coursework at Hopkins my portfolio runs the gamut on environmental areas/issues which has become an asset handling the issues.

What are your future plans?

My future plans will continue to focus on environmental issues.  I have become very interested in Environmental Justice concerns and ways to increase awareness.  Moreover, I embrace opportunities to assist in addressing instances of environmental injustice and improving protection against environmental injustice.  On a larger scale and years from now, I have an aspiration to one day teach elementary environmental science because children are our future if we truly want to save our earth.

Seema Schappelle

What year did you graduate?

I graduated in May 2002, with a concentration in environmental policy.

Where do you currently work and what do you do?

I work in the U.S. EPA's Office of the Science Advisor as an Environmental Protection Specialist.  I work to provide scientific and technical leadership, guidance and support on Agency-wide scientific and policy issues for EPA's Science Policy Council.
 
Why did you choose to get your Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins?

I chose to pursue my Masters Degree from Hopkins' Environmental Science and Policy program to increase my knowledge in the arena of environmental policy and its applications. Also, I liked that Hopkins classes were offered near Dupont Circle, which I found to be very convenient. 
 
What was your most memorable experience from the program?

I particularly liked interfacing with my peers and learning more about their career paths. Additionally, one of my favorite classes focused on congressional environmental policymaking and was taught by two seasoned Hill staffers.  They offered perspectives on the process of policymaking that one can only gain in D.C.

How has the program enhanced your career?

I used my degree as a stepping stone to pursue my doctorate in environmental science and policy. I'm researching the effectiveness of Web-enabled risk communication techniques on public understanding and behavior.  Increasing the effectiveness of how we communicate about environmental risk is an important, and often neglected, area in the government and one that I am very passionate about.
 
What are your future plans?

I plan to complete my doctorate and continue to pursue my career at EPA, a challenging and rewarding organization.

Kevin Schabow

What year did you graduate?

2008

Where do you currently work and what do you do?

I'm currently at the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office in Annapolis Maryland where I work on a variety of the programs and initiatives designed to foster stewardship and increase scientific understanding of the Chesapeake Bay.  I coordinate a program that works with D.C. high school students and also technically manage several grant projects focused on Bay watershed education and training.

Why did you choose to get your Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins?

Being a working professional, I sought a flexible program that offered a balance of science and policy courses.  In my comprehensive search of graduate programs, only Johns Hopkins could meet these needs.

What was your most memorable experience from the program?

During my first course, we received a lecture from a high level EPA employee that had literally flown in from climate change negotiations from Europe hours earlier. The guest lecturers that are available to this program are unmatched. 

How has the program enhanced your career?

I apply experiences and lessons learned in JHU coursework almost daily, whether it’s issues pertaining to oceanic sciences or national environmental policy and law.  Not to mention that obtaining a JHU masters opened employment doors that were previously closed.

What are your future plans?

I’d like to return to the Upper Midwest within the next few years and conduct policy work for an organization that focuses on Great Lakes environmental/ecosystem management.