Hi! My name is Haley Jordan (she/her) and I’m a Difference Maker Mentor for the 2025-2026 CAP Program! I’m going into my junior year as a natural resources major concentrating in fisheries and wildlife, with a minor in ecology and evolutionary biology!

In high school, my wildlife biology teacher connected me with the NRCA in the form of the now-retired CTP program (https://nrca.uconn.edu/ctp/). She partnered with me to make a project removing European Water Chestnut from a pond in my city, sparking my interest in invasive plants, environmental management, and how to use technology to track environmental data (see the StoryMap on our project here). The project was a bright spot in a bleak time period; it was 2020-2021, and I was attending classes online.

Now, here at UConn, I am always learning and growing. Whether that’s picking up a new instrument, taking a difficult class, or just trying something new, I’m always up for an adventure. I found out in the spring that I love rock climbing!

I don’t know what my end goal is for my career and education, and that’s okay. Right now, my goal is to be a park ranger or guide, but who knows where the future will take me. My plan is to focus on enjoying my college experience until then.

Hello!

My name is Rachel Palmer, and I’m super excited to be working as a Difference Maker Mentor for the 2025-2026 NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program (CAP). I was born and raised in central Maine. I am entering my junior year this fall, majoring in Natural Resources with a minor in Environmental Health and Safety. 

I am passionate about both education and the environment. Growing up in a rural area, I spent most of my time outside. My childhood was defined by the changing seasons, especially the harsh New England winters. Around 2020, I started to notice that the winter weather I had grown up with was changing; the mountains of snow that once covered my town had been replaced by freezing rain and abnormally warm temperatures. This moment sparked my interest in environmental science, leading me to devote my future to bettering this planet.

After graduating, I plan to attend either graduate school or veterinary school. My ultimate career goal is to work for a federal agency in fisheries and wildlife conservation or management. Later in my career, I hope to return to school to earn a degree in education in order to teach high school biology. Through both research and teaching, I aspire to make a meaningful difference: mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders and contributing to the protection of our planet. 

This summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery in my home state. The hatchery helps conserve the last remaining natural populations of Atlantic salmon in the US. During my time volunteering, I collected blood and tissue samples from the fish to keep track of the remaining endangered species out in the wild. 

Through this experience, I was able to learn more about making a difference through conservation, the federal employment system, and the techniques of aquaculture.  

In the summer, I stay busy coaching high school lacrosse, teaching swim lessons to individuals of all ages, and taking trips to the beach. On campus, I teach undergraduate and graduate swim lessons at the UConn Recreation Center and volunteer with the Red Cross Club. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, making jewelry, playing sports, reading, and going to concerts. My favorite concert I have attended is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour!

Hi everyone!

My name is Shanelle Thevarajah and I am a second year Ph.D. student at the University of Connecticut, and the Graduate Mentor for the NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Guelph in 2019 with a focus on Zoology and Family/Child Studies. During this time, I realized how much I love the intersection between science and communities, which motivates me to bring both together as much as I can. I worked two seasonal positions at Denver Zoo while completing my undergraduate degree and love science communication. In these roles, I developed activities relating to wildlife conservation, narrated penguin and giraffe feedings, and worked with the teen volunteer program. I love the natural world and have worked/volunteered in a lot of positions where I handled critters – large, small, slithery, crawly… you name it!

From there, I completed my M.S. in Environmental Biology from Regis University in 2021, where my thesis focused on the social behavior of male Asian elephants. I love working in the environmental field and getting others involved in science – in whatever way works best for them.

After graduating, I worked for a non-profit in Colorado where I managed internships in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). These positions were created to build pathways for underrepresented young adults in the conservation field. I acted as a point of contact for interns and park supervisors throughout their programs, while offering training and resources for the intern during their time with us.

Through this position, I traveled to several parks and worked with some amazing interns across the United States. Some of my favorite parks include Saguaro National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Glacier National Park. I managed a fishing and birding program, so I learned how to fly fish and think fish are a super underrated animal. This position inspired me and sparked my interest in mentoring. It’s especially rewarding to see that some of the interns I once supported are still working with the NPS today!

I began my Ph.D. journey at UConn in June 2024 and have already had the joy of mentoring one cohort of CAP students. I’m excited to continue that work with this year’s group! My research explores what drives and discourages people from pursuing careers in the environmental field, with an additional focus on how mentorship can support the recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students.

Alongside my research, I’ve developed and led water justice lessons for several high school programs, including Upward Bound and NRCA CAP. I love seeing students connect their own experiences to big questions about equity, environment, and their communities.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my dog (Oswald/Ozzy), cook/bake, and explore new places. I am always down for an adventure and to see what the northeast has to offer! I can’t wait to continue my time at UConn and support more CAP students as they carry out projects that will benefit their communities.