WASHINGTON—Sara Cawley (MS ’15), a University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) graduate, was appointed Advisor in the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Cawley is one of four additional Biden-Harris administration appointees announced by the Interior Department on February 10 who will join agency leadership to help create jobs in the clean energy economy, steward America’s public lands and waters, pursue environmental justice and honor our nation-to-nation relationship with tribes. 

“Two years into the Biden-Harris administration, the Interior Department is making steady progress to strengthen Indian Country, create a clean energy future with climate-resilient infrastructure, address long-standing environmental injustices, and protect our lands and waters for the benefit of current and future generations,” said Chief of Staff Rachael Taylor. “Our new team members will play key roles as we continue our progress in the years to come.”

Cawley most recently worked for Earthjustice as the senior legislative representative covering federal oil and gas policy. Her prior experience includes positions at the Western Organization of Resource Councils and the National Wildlife Federation. Originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, Cawley earned a bachelor of arts in political science and environmental studies from Gettysburg College, and master of science in environmental policy from SEAS. Between earning her degrees, she spent a year in Denmark on a Fulbright grant, studying collaborative natural resource management, and a year with AmeriCorps Cape Cod, completing hands-on environmental restoration and education projects.

Read the full press release on the U.S. Department of the Interior website.