Hi, my name is Natalie Maddox and I’ve recently joined the NRCA here at University of Connecticut. I’m a junior in the College of Agriculture Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), majoring in Natural Resources with a concentration in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation. My dream career would be somewhere in a Central American rainforest studying endangered […]
Difference Makers
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Aalyah Contreras
Hello everyone! My name is Aalyah Contreras and I am happy to be a part of UCONN’s NRCA program for the year 2023-2024 as a Difference Mentor Maker (DMM). I am a first generation student and a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS), my academic path has been both challenging and […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Adriana Garcia
Hey there! My name is Adriana and I’m one of 5 DMMs (Difference Maker Mentors) for the 2023-2024 NRCA program. I’m a Junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Cognitive Science but with many interests in other fields like Developmental Psychology, Linguistics, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Natural Resources and the Environment, to name […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Alexandra Blas
Hello, my name is Alexandra Blas, and I’m thrilled to introduce myself as one of the Difference Maker Mentors for the 2023 – 2024 academic year. I am a senior at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Allied Health Sciences with a minor in psychology. My academic interests center around genetics and genomics, particularly how environmental […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Andy Zhang
Hello! My name is Andy Zhang and I am a sophomore at the University of Connecticut where I serve as a NRCA Difference Maker Mentor for the 2023-2024 cohort . As a dedicated student, I am pursuing degrees in environmental science as well as economics with the aim of developing a well-rounded perspective on […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Paige Booth
Hello Everyone! My name is Paige Booth and I am a junior at the University of Connecticut studying environmental science with a concentration in sustainable systems and a minor in ecology and evolutionary biology. I am lucky enough to serve as one of the Difference Maker Mentors for the 2023-2024 school year. On campus, I […]
Introducing Graduate Mentor: Christopher Cane
Hello! My name is Christopher Cane, and I am a graduate student mentor and research assistant with the NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program and NRCA Difference Mentor Maker Program. I’m currently a master’s student studying Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Connecticut. As an undergraduate student, I double majored in […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Leah Gichuru
Hello, my name is Leah Gichuru, and one of the Difference Maker Mentors for the year 2022-2023. I am currently studying molecular and cell biology, and minoring in Spanish at the University of Connecticut. As a first-generation American student, I am the first in my family to be attending a four-year college and focus much of […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Sydney Seldon
Hello everyone! My name is Sydney Seldon, and I’m a sophomore at UConn. I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and plan to double major in Environmental Policy as an individualized major. Avenues prioritizing collective action and community engagement have guided the opportunities I seek, and my role as a Difference Maker Mentor […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Erin McKeehan
Hey y’all! I’m Erin McKeehan and I will be serving as one of the NRCA Difference Maker Mentors for the 2022-2023 program. I am currently a senior at UConn studying Economics and Environmental Studies. While I plan on pursuing multiple pathways, I am particularly interested in circular economies and economic justice. I am radically optimistic in the […]