College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

Hometown: Grove City, Pennsylvania, USA

Advisor: Bess Perry

Ellie grew up in Grove City, Pennsylvania and earned a BS in Geography with a focus in environmental studies & sustainability as well as a communications minor from Slippery Rock University (SRU) in May 2019. During her four years at SRU, she took advantage of many opportunities to travel, conduct research and participate in multiple service-learning and volunteer opportunities. She became involved in a variety of projects, ranging from building maintenance at a National Park, administrative work at a women’s empowerment project, invasive species removal in protected mangrove forests, and ecotourism research in rainforests.

After graduation, Ellie continued on to serve in AmeriCorps for two years in Montpelier, Vermont where she immersed herself into her interests in community, human geography, and sustainability. During her two terms with AmeriCorps, she served as an AmeriCorps Program Leader, supporting other AmeriCorps members serving with various conservation organizations around the state. She was involved with diverse actors within the conversation world in Vermont including state government and non-profit organizations working within environmental justice initiatives, volunteer management, watershed management, community outreach, and environmental communication.

She is now pursuing her Master's Degree in Community Sustainability to continue her passion in solving community-led problems. She has a research assistantship with Dr. Bess Perry assisting on recreation management research projects, and is pursuing her own research in water recreation access and community involvement.