Pathways to Grad School: SUST Alumni Share Experiences & Advice

As part of our Earth Month 2021 program of virtual sustainability events this past spring semester, five distinguished alumni of Roosevelt’s Sustainability Studies (SUST) program met via Zoom on Thursday, April 29th, to talk about their recent grad school experiences. Our panelists recounted their process of researching, selecting, and applying to a graduate program; what their time in graduate school has been like; and how their RU education prepared them for graduate study.

Alumni Panelists:

  • Yessenia Balcazar (BA ’18), MA ’21 at University of IL Chicago (Urban Planning)
  • Wilmarie Medina-Cortes (BA ’19), MA student at University of IL Chicago (Museum Studies)
  • Lindsey Sharp (BA ’16), MA student at Wayne State University (Anthropology)
  • Moses Viveros (BA ’17), MA and MBA (’20) graduate from Chatham University (Food Studies and Business Administration)
  • Charlton Zimmerman (BA ’19), MPA student at University of Delaware (Public Administration)

Moderator: Dr. Mike Bryson, Professor and Director of Sustainability Studies, Roosevelt University’s College of Arts & Sciences

Link to Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/z1fOIjj20dQ

Since its founding in 2010 as the Chicago area’s first sustainability-focused bachelor’s degree, the SUST program’s more than 100 alumni have pursued a wide variety of career and graduate education pathways, community and environmental service projects, and creative endeavors. Other SUST alumni who have gone on to graduate school include:

  • Margaret Allen (BA ’19, newly accepted to MS program in Environmental Sustainability @ Loyola University Chicago
  • Josh Campbell (BA ’13), Tom Lewallen (BA ’15), Akilah Mitchell (BA ’16), UIC Urban Planning MA program
  • Mike Magdongon (BPS ’13), MBA @ Erasmus University (Netherlands)
  • Ben Shulman (BPS ’12), UIC Communications MA

SUST alumni are currently enployed in a wide variety of fields:

  • Margaret Allen (BA ’19), Industrial Hygiene Technician at Environmental Design International
  • Zarakyah Ahmadiel aka Troy Withers (BPS ’13), Restorative Practices Coordinator for Blocks Together / Cameron Elementary School
  • Yessenia Balcazar (BA ’18), Bryant Williams Intern at Southeast Environmental Task Force; Transportation Intern at Chicago Aviation Authority
  • Christian Cameron (BA’14), Urban Forester & Youth Educator
  • Maria Cancilla (BPS ’18), Horticulture Intern @ Shedd Aquarium; Garden Educator @ Gardeneers / Americorps
  • Karen Craig (BA ’15), Manager of Retail & Visitor Experience at Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
  • Stephanie Eisner (BA ’13), Program Manager & Philanthropic Advisor at Caerus Foundation
  • Brittany Janney (BA ’18), Environmental Technician with Davey Resource Group
  • Reece Krishnan (BA ’16), Energy Specialist at Franklin Energy Services
  • Tiffany Mucci-Heitman (BPS ’16), Freelance Writer, Massage Therapist and Holistic Health Pro
  • Jessie Crow Mermel (BPS ’12), Marketing & Development Assistant at Severson Dells Nature Center; On-farm Educator at Angelic Organics Learning Center
  • Rebecca Quesnell (BA ’15), Sustainability Coordinator @ RU; Sustainability Director @ Independent Recycling Services
  • MaryBeth Radeck, Entrepreneur & Sustainability Consultant, Director of Project Operations @ +Intention, Owner of Caring Transitions
  • Diana Ramirez (BA ’17), Chicago Program Coordinator at Student Conservation Association
  • Emily Rhea (BA ’16), Project Manager & Energy Analyst @ Eco-Achievers
  • Cheryl Roberts (BPS ’14), Energy Manager @ GE
  • Ben Shulman (BPS ’12), Director of Publishing @IIT Architecture, Blogger, Editor
  • MeLissa Tate (BA ’18), Corporate Sustainability Specialist @ Ferrara Candy Company
  • Ron Taylor (BPS ’12), Director of Parks & Energy @ City of Harrisburg
  • Jesse Williams (BA ’15), Director of Sustainability @ Rust Belt Riders