Highlight on Students

Lisa Kelley is in her last course with the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences program. A straight-A student, she is completing her work with an independent research project on deep water oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico and its environmental implications. Lisa is a legislative assistant with Congressman Charlie Stenholm of Texas, ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee. She formulates policy and develops policy statements on energy, environmental, and healthcare issues. She recently changed her position from legislative correspondent which she began in summer of 1999. "It's been a fun couple of months!"

"The program was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed every class. As I progressed through the program, courses got more and more challenging. I wouldn't say that the work load was more; instead, the topics became more focused and specific. We were looking at deeper and more complex oceanic and ecological issues; the topics became much more interesting and challenging, and it was great

"The field ecology class was hard; I think we got bitten by every insect imaginable. At the end of the day it was very satisfying; you really learned. I'm still walking around looking at trees, going 'which one is that?' "