Meet the Sustainability Ambassadors 2021
Becca Glebus (she/her/hers)
Hey! I am a Sustainable Development major and biology minor! I chose to be a Sustainability Ambassador because I wanted to do more for my university. I heard about the Office of Sustainability through another Ambassador, who was in my science class and started getting involved in volunteer events before applying for the position. It was the best decision I made at App State. I am not sure what I want to do after college, but I would like to work with organizations that share the same goals as me. I love Boone and hiking through the many trails in the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hey! I am a Sustainable Development major and biology minor! I chose to be a Sustainability Ambassador because I wanted to do more for my university. I heard about the Office of Sustainability through another Ambassador, who was in my science class and started getting involved in volunteer events before applying for the position. It was the best decision I made at App State. I am not sure what I want to do after college, but I would like to work with organizations that share the same goals as me. I love Boone and hiking through the many trails in the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Mailyn Greig-Ratz (she/her/hers)
Hey there! I am a Food Outreach Studies (IDS) major and minoring in Public Health, American Sign Language, and Photography. I was a transfer student looking into getting involved on campus in a meaningful way and found out about the Sustainability Ambassador position after attending one of the Film Series. In my free time, I love to paint, go thrifting, and spend my time outdoors, whether it be gardening, go kayaking, or camping. Post graduation I plan to focus on outreach work regarding making nutritious food affordable and accessible by teaching the community how to grow, cook, and preserve food. I hope to work for the Food Corps or any outdoor nutrition education program at a community garden or a farm.
Hey there! I am a Food Outreach Studies (IDS) major and minoring in Public Health, American Sign Language, and Photography. I was a transfer student looking into getting involved on campus in a meaningful way and found out about the Sustainability Ambassador position after attending one of the Film Series. In my free time, I love to paint, go thrifting, and spend my time outdoors, whether it be gardening, go kayaking, or camping. Post graduation I plan to focus on outreach work regarding making nutritious food affordable and accessible by teaching the community how to grow, cook, and preserve food. I hope to work for the Food Corps or any outdoor nutrition education program at a community garden or a farm.
Griffin Honea (he/him/his)
Hello everyone! I am a History major here at App. I’ve known people in the department for years and before applying I had done volunteer work at the office and enjoyed it. I wanted to get more involved and help App State become a role model of sustainability and eco-friendliness. In my free time I like to write, play board games and video games. As of now my plans post graduations is to pursue a masters or a doctorate in history.
Hello everyone! I am a History major here at App. I’ve known people in the department for years and before applying I had done volunteer work at the office and enjoyed it. I wanted to get more involved and help App State become a role model of sustainability and eco-friendliness. In my free time I like to write, play board games and video games. As of now my plans post graduations is to pursue a masters or a doctorate in history.
Grace Hornberger (she/her/hers)
Hi! I am a Sustainable Technology major with a Sustainable Business/Community & Regional Planning minor. I applied to become a Sustainability Ambassador after learning about the Office of Sustainability at the first football game I attended as a freshman. I was so impressed by the Zero Waste stadium initiative and it inspired me to get involved with the office. I also applied to foster my passion for composting and zero waste living/education. Some of my hobbies include hiking, taking care of my large collection of indoor plants, gardening and painting. After graduation, I am interested in getting a job in the renewable energy field and working at a vertical harvest center in Jackson, WY.
Hi! I am a Sustainable Technology major with a Sustainable Business/Community & Regional Planning minor. I applied to become a Sustainability Ambassador after learning about the Office of Sustainability at the first football game I attended as a freshman. I was so impressed by the Zero Waste stadium initiative and it inspired me to get involved with the office. I also applied to foster my passion for composting and zero waste living/education. Some of my hobbies include hiking, taking care of my large collection of indoor plants, gardening and painting. After graduation, I am interested in getting a job in the renewable energy field and working at a vertical harvest center in Jackson, WY.
Sophia Kirn (she/her/hers)
Hey! I am a Biology EEE major with a minor in sustainable tech and a GIS certification. My favorite part of being a sustainability ambassador is getting to see the positive, sustainable change that is being made on campus, especially with our Eco-Reps program! I am still figuring out what I want to do after graduating, but I definitely want to keep working towards a sustainable future! I love hiking, reading, yoga, and cooking!
Hey! I am a Biology EEE major with a minor in sustainable tech and a GIS certification. My favorite part of being a sustainability ambassador is getting to see the positive, sustainable change that is being made on campus, especially with our Eco-Reps program! I am still figuring out what I want to do after graduating, but I definitely want to keep working towards a sustainable future! I love hiking, reading, yoga, and cooking!
Hannah Grace Mitchell (they/them/theirs)
I applied to become an ambassador when we were still called outreach interns back in my first semester, Fall of 2017. I visited the Office of Sustainability to tour and learn more about our initiatives with my S.T.E.M. and Sustainability class taught by Mrs. Sherry Nikbakht. After that first day I wanted to get involved and thankfully was able to become an intern the next semester. I didn't know my major then but now I am a Sustainable Development Junior with a Environmental Studies focus. Before the COVID-19 pandemic I was a beekeeper and hope to return to it once I graduate.
I applied to become an ambassador when we were still called outreach interns back in my first semester, Fall of 2017. I visited the Office of Sustainability to tour and learn more about our initiatives with my S.T.E.M. and Sustainability class taught by Mrs. Sherry Nikbakht. After that first day I wanted to get involved and thankfully was able to become an intern the next semester. I didn't know my major then but now I am a Sustainable Development Junior with a Environmental Studies focus. Before the COVID-19 pandemic I was a beekeeper and hope to return to it once I graduate.
Max Taylor (they/them/theirs)
Howdy! I'm an Environmental Science major with a concentration in Life sciences and a minor in Sustainable Development. I applied to be an ambassador after spending a semester as an Eco-Rep and wanted to get more involved with sustainability on campus. No idea what I want to do after I leave though! Hoping to keep working for Conservation Corps North Carolina or another Conservation Organization around the country.
Howdy! I'm an Environmental Science major with a concentration in Life sciences and a minor in Sustainable Development. I applied to be an ambassador after spending a semester as an Eco-Rep and wanted to get more involved with sustainability on campus. No idea what I want to do after I leave though! Hoping to keep working for Conservation Corps North Carolina or another Conservation Organization around the country.
Alumni and Former Ambassadors
Thanh Schado (she/her/hers)
Hi! I am a senior sustainability ambassador here on our campus. I am a sustainable development and community planning major with intentions to become a sustainable city planner. I have worked extensively with various orgs on campus such as SGA, Housing, and UREC. If you are interested in getting involved feel free to contact me via my app state email!
Hi! I am a senior sustainability ambassador here on our campus. I am a sustainable development and community planning major with intentions to become a sustainable city planner. I have worked extensively with various orgs on campus such as SGA, Housing, and UREC. If you are interested in getting involved feel free to contact me via my app state email!
Gaia Lawing (she/her/hers)
I am a Studio Art BFA Major with a focus in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. This is my 5th year as a Sustainability Ambassador. I initially joined the Ambassadors because of an interest in learning more about sustainability and because Lee Ball is a family friend and told me about the job! My favorite thing about working for the Office of Sustainability is the fact that a lot of time we get to work outside on campus. That's obviously not happening right now but it's really awesome how the Office has come up with different ways to connect with students virtually. I've been particularly enjoying the zero waste craft workshops. Once I graduate I plan on staying in Boone a little while and work on growing my small business.
I am a Studio Art BFA Major with a focus in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. This is my 5th year as a Sustainability Ambassador. I initially joined the Ambassadors because of an interest in learning more about sustainability and because Lee Ball is a family friend and told me about the job! My favorite thing about working for the Office of Sustainability is the fact that a lot of time we get to work outside on campus. That's obviously not happening right now but it's really awesome how the Office has come up with different ways to connect with students virtually. I've been particularly enjoying the zero waste craft workshops. Once I graduate I plan on staying in Boone a little while and work on growing my small business.
Avia Kalfa (she/her/hers)
Hey there! I am an Interdisciplinary Studies major and minoring in sustainable business. I applied for a job as a sustainability ambassador because I wanted to advocate for my environment and be simultaneously learning and sharing information. I saw The office of sustainability as a way to be a part of my community and be an active citizen while being in a work environment that understands that I am a student and works around my class schedule. Post grad my plan is to focus more on my Kombucha business and spend more time teaching art and English to local kids, in Guatemala (that's where I currently live). My long term goal is to have a summer camps program for kids to teach about agriculture, sustainability and cooking through an empowering program that helps kids learn to be self sufficient and sustainable members of society.
Hey there! I am an Interdisciplinary Studies major and minoring in sustainable business. I applied for a job as a sustainability ambassador because I wanted to advocate for my environment and be simultaneously learning and sharing information. I saw The office of sustainability as a way to be a part of my community and be an active citizen while being in a work environment that understands that I am a student and works around my class schedule. Post grad my plan is to focus more on my Kombucha business and spend more time teaching art and English to local kids, in Guatemala (that's where I currently live). My long term goal is to have a summer camps program for kids to teach about agriculture, sustainability and cooking through an empowering program that helps kids learn to be self sufficient and sustainable members of society.
Claire Funderburk (she/her/hers)
Hi, I am a Sustainable Development major with a minor in Spanish. I have been working for the Office of Sustainability since January of 2020, after hearing about it while serving as an Eco-rep for my residence hall. My favorite part about interning with the Office is the hands on experience I get with the community gardens and the connections I have made with other students through a mutual passion for the environment. I am also the secretary for the ASUREI, and am currently implementing a green roof project for my Honors thesis project. Post-grad, I hope to be an environmental journalist while managing my own farm or garden to provide food to local farmers markets.
Hi, I am a Sustainable Development major with a minor in Spanish. I have been working for the Office of Sustainability since January of 2020, after hearing about it while serving as an Eco-rep for my residence hall. My favorite part about interning with the Office is the hands on experience I get with the community gardens and the connections I have made with other students through a mutual passion for the environment. I am also the secretary for the ASUREI, and am currently implementing a green roof project for my Honors thesis project. Post-grad, I hope to be an environmental journalist while managing my own farm or garden to provide food to local farmers markets.
Bonnie Allen (she/her/hers)
Hello! I am a Sustainable Development major with a concentration in Agroecology, and a Somatic Sustainability minor. I heard about the office through a class my freshman year and decided to apply to be an ambassador the next semester. After I graduate, I am planning on going to graduate school in soil science and water resource management and then hopefully working in that career field!
Hello! I am a Sustainable Development major with a concentration in Agroecology, and a Somatic Sustainability minor. I heard about the office through a class my freshman year and decided to apply to be an ambassador the next semester. After I graduate, I am planning on going to graduate school in soil science and water resource management and then hopefully working in that career field!