When Stefania Almazán-Casali (MS ’16, PhD ’22) joined the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), it was as a master’s student specializing in Environmental Policy and Planning, but soon after, she decided to pursue a PhD as well, so she could delve deep into understanding how to foster adaptive and resilient water systems in the face of climate change disruptions. Almazán-Casali says she didn’t have an interest in working in academia, so joining The Nature Conservancy’s global partnership Nature for Water came as a perfect fit.
“As the only social scientist on the team, I understand the science behind our approaches, but can also bring an understanding of the science of how you approach humans when making decisions on how to govern natural resources,” she says.
As an engagement consultant, Almazán-Casali and her team partner with local entities to implement nature-based solutions for water security and protecting watersheds—a cost-effective approach to restoring ecosystems that benefits both biodiversity and communities.
“We want to govern natural resources in the right way, because there is a right way of doing things, and there are human rights. This is the people’s environment, and it’s their lives, so it’s important to consider these complex relationships when making decisions.”
Almazán-Casali says her SEAS training has been essential to her success. “Ten out of 10, attending SEAS was the best decision of my life. From being involved in student organizations and working in Peru and Brazil, to the multidisciplinary training I received from experts across specializations—I understand how to view things from different perspectives, and in the work I do now, I know I am making a real difference.”
Kaitlyn Sledge chose SEAS’ Sustainability and Development specialization because she wanted to support the needs of rural and under-resourced communities. Through her clean energy work, she gets to do that by “putting dollars in small local projects as opposed to funding already well-resourced organizations or utilities.”
As chief of staff at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Gillian Gainsley says that specializing in Behavior, Education and Communication prepared her for a range of communications-based roles, including over a decade of combined experience at the Ypsilanti District Library and Detroit PBS.
