2023 ELP Cohort

My name is Scotlyn Belew, and I am a senior in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. I have had three internships in the energy industry, and I plan to work in the renewable energy industry. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing pool, and doing crosswords.

Hi I’m Julia! I am currently a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and Earth, Society, & Environmental Sustainability. I love backpacking, scuba diving, reading, and cooking. I also love animals, and I have a cat named Minnow who is about to turn 1. I’m the service committee head for the Society of Women in Public Affairs here on campus, as well as a member of CHAARG and Phi Alpha Delta. I’m so excited to be a part of this program!

Hello! My name is Emily Chang, I’m a freshman majoring in Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability. I’m hoping to add a major or minor to my degree. I would love to solve environmental issues and help to create a more sustainable place to live. I’m currently the secretary of PAR hall council. In my free time I enjoy oil painting and reading.

Hello. I’m Jorge Corral, a senior in Earth, Society and Environmental Sustainability with minors in Anthropology and Chemistry. I am also an avid walker. In the past year I’ve been involved in Environmental and Latinx RSOs, I have volunteered at Carle Health, and I worked as a Public Health Intern with the Indigenous Languages on the Move Collective. Considering the importance of policies behind pollution and sustainability, I am excited to participate in the ELP to build a multidisciplinary background that I can use throughout my desired career in the environmental field.

My name is Mayra Cuevas, and I am a third-year student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign pursuing a degree in Political Science and Human Development & Family Studies. I am active in organizations such as UIUC’s Save the Children Action Network and HDFS Diversity and Inclusion Social Committee, and the Fund for the Public Interest. In my studies, I intend to have a concentration in public policy and complete a Sustainability, Energy and Environment Fellows minor. Upon the completion of my undergraduate studies, I intend to apply to law school to learn more about the public policy realm and develop the ability to address some of the world’s most pressing problems efficiently.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscuevaz

Email: mscuevaz@gmail.com

My name is Kevin Delgado, and I am a sophomore studying Biology with a minor in Sustainability. On campus, I am involved in the Latino Student Association, as well as the Illinois-Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students’ Education! I’m highly interested in applying myself to a field in sustainability which would align with my passion for biology, as well as incorporating my own unique background for my future endeavors. In my free time, I enjoy going out with friends and family, and keeping up with other hobbies such as basketball.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kevindelgado03

Hello! My name is Asher Dublin, and I am a sophomore studying Economics with a minor in Earth, Society and the Environment from Glenview, Ill. On campus, I am involved in Illinois Sports Consulting Agency and Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. After graduating, I hope to get started in the sustainability consulting field where I can use my Economics degree to make corporations more environmentally sustainable. Outside of school I love to be outside. I love to hike, swim, play sports or just listen to music around a bonfire.

Hi, my name is Oriya Falk and I am a senior majoring in Sustainable Design and Studio Art. Some of my interests include planning for sustainable urban areas, urban agriculture, and water management. I also often explore environmental Issues through my art practice. In my free time, I like to cook, hike, or take walks, and recently I have gotten into crochet.

I’m Eshana Jain, a freshman majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. I grew up in Bhopal, the city known for the Gas leak tragedy, where over 15,000 people died.  40 years later, the effects of that trauma still preside. My major is as much a function of my involvement in my community as my academic inclinations. I hope to pursue energy technology in the future and prevent similar problems. On campus, I’m involved in Solar Decathlon. As the epitome of fangirls, I have an all-encompassing package right from being passionate about clean technology and alternative energy to obsessing over tennis and dogs.

My name is Ayden Maza, and I am a sophomore majoring in English and Political Science. I am from Tinley Park, Ill., and hope to attend law school after graduating. On campus I am a Resident Advisor in Weston Hall, while also serving as the Treasurer for the Undergraduate Law Review and a LAS Brand Ambassador. I am interested in looking into environmental policies around transportation and sustainable farming practices.

Hi! I’m Christian Montes, a junior studying Operations Management. I’m passionate about addressing social and environmental issues affecting underrepresented and minority groups within my communities. One of my proudest achievements was receiving the Ronald E. Raglin award from my home city of Elgin, Ill., for “promoting learning, justice, and equity.” Recently, I’ve had industry experience in enterprise sustainability and construction of new regulations and reporting. On campus I am involved with the Association of Latin Professionals for America and several other volunteer organizations. I strive to expand sustainability on all operations of business and government policy.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-montes-4858971b4/

My name is Sarah Navarro, and I am a first-year majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Human Dimensions of the Environment on the pre-law track. I intend to go to law school after my undergraduate degree to become an environmental lawyer. I have a passion for sustainability, and I plan on influencing a more sustainable future. I’m excited to learn more about environmental policy and get experience through this program to help me pursue those passions.

My name is Margot O’Malley, and I am a junior studying Political Science and Sustainable Design. I serve as the Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Student Advocacy Coalition. I hope to use the knowledge and hands-on experience I obtain from the Environmental Leadership Program in my future career, hopefully working for the City of Chicago in some sort of sustainability- and community-based efforts. In my free time, I enjoy listening and talking about music, reading, and kayaking.

Hello! My name is Rajan Patkar, and I am a sophomore studying Computer Engineering with a minor in Statistics. On campus, I am involved in activities that line up with my interests, like the Illinois Robotics in Space and Physics Outreach and Instruction through New Technologies organizations. I want to connect my core engineering skills with fields in which I can make connections and accelerate progress. In the Environmental Leadership Program, I want to explore new solutions by synergizing environmental leadership, electronics, and engineering.

Link: https://rajpatkar.github.io/

My name is Danielle Pfaff and I am a current junior studying Landscape Architecture with a minor in Geology. I am passionate about governmental environmental issues and plan to continue my studies in Environmental Science with a focus in urban settings. Aside from academics, I love to be outdoors skiing in the winter and doing tumbling in a cheer gym. I found my path at the University of Illinois by taking a large amount of Geology courses but having a passion for integrated human design. I love holding leadership positions in my extracurriculars and hope that the Environmental Leadership Program will help me develop the skills to aid that.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniellepfaff

Hello! My name is Alyssa Prisby and I am in my final year at the University of Illinois. I am a Sociology and Global Studies major, with a concentration in human rights. I am currently the President of Women in Law and Academic Chair for Phi Alpha Delta. Next year, I plan to continue on to grad school for a master’s in Public Policy, where I hope to be able to research public health. I am especially interested in environmental social determinants of health and the ways in which environmental problems perpetuate existing social disparities.

Hello! My name is Claire Sullivan, I am a sophomore studying Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with concentration in Human Dimensions and a minor in Geographic Information Sciences. I am active in Students for Environmental Concerns and currently serve as the Education officer. I enjoy spending lots of time outdoors, reading, running, and spending time with my friends. I became involved with the ELP to learn about public policy and bring my perspectives to policy initiatives. I am interested in working toward environmental justice.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-sullivan-575689222/

Hello! I’m Rebekah and I am a sophomore from the west suburbs of Chicago studying Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability. I enjoy creating collage art and making and listening to music. Fun fact: I play four different instruments. On campus, I am a project chair of the Environmental Coalition and I work as intramural referee. I am passionate about creating green alternatives and promoting sustainability to heal our Earth.

Hello! My name is Emily Ueberfluss and I am a sophomore transfer student. I am pursuing a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Human Dimensions of the Environment. I am also involved in the Pre-Law Honors Society and the Wildlife Society here on campus and would like to explore other environmental organizations as well. I plan to attend law school after graduating to become an environmental lawyer. I hope to use the skills and experiences I acquire while participating in the Environmental Leadership Program in my future career. I am very passionate about sustainability and protecting the environment. In my free time I enjoy hiking, painting, reading, and traveling.

My name is Carlos Urquizo, and I am a senior majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. I hope to be a foreign affairs officer with the Department of State and help address environmental sustainability and international environmental policies as I believe that the environment is one of the world’s most important issues. I am passionate about sustainability and how it can be addressed on the local and state levels as well as nationally and globally.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-urquizo