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Tag: 2024

Olga Diupina

OLGA DIUPINA

Advance Team Member

Olga is a George Mason University alumna. She graduated with a degree in Government and International Politics. Olga currently works in the Office of Admissions as the Honors College Admissions Counselor. She loves working with prospective students to help them see fit in Mason, and working with current Mason students who are part of the Honors College Recruitment Team. Olga loves going on road trips, spending time with her cat, and trying new restaurants in DC.

Alexi Martinez

ALEXI MARTINEZ

Alexi Martinez is a freshman at Colorado State University where she studies Environmental Engineering with a minor in sustainable energy. She is passionate about sustainability and environmental justice. In her free time she enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with family and friends. Alexi was a delegate at WYSE in 2021 and returned as an intern in 2022 and is very excited to return to WYSE this summer as a JFA!

McKenzie Moore

MCKENZIE MOORE

Junior Faculty Advisor

McKenzie Moore (she/her) is an undergraduate senior at CSU pursuing a double major in Fish, Wildlife, Conservation Biology and Environmental Chemistry. She is currently performing undergraduate research in ecotoxicology to evaluate the remediation and recovery of a waterbody after acid mine drainage. Her current focus is environmental toxicology/ecotoxicology and she hopes to get a job in that field after graduation in the fall. McKenzie first discovered her passion for the environment after going to WYSE as a student in 2018. She is very excited to be coming back to WYSE for her third year as a Junior Faculty Advisor. When she is not working, she enjoys doing puzzles, crafting, and playing with her cat.

Ben Rich

BEN RICH

Faculty Advisor

Ben Rich is an AP Environmental Science and Physics teacher at the Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) in Montclair, NJ.  After earning a BA in Physics at Colgate University he earned a MEd at the University of Maryland. As the Sustainability Coordinator and Green Roof Director at MKA, he leads both students and faculty in making the school more environmentally friendly and led the school to earn the Green Flag Award from Eco-Schools USA twice. During each summer from 2013-2018 he traversed the US on an electric motorcycle making Youtube videos to encourage quicker EV adoption. Now he drives a Tesla Model 3 across the US, with his latest trip traveling 21,000 miles in 2 months. He is the Co-Chair of the Montclair Environmental Commission, leading projects to reduce the carbon footprint of the town. In his free time he hikes mountains, paddle boards on rivers, and swing dances in NYC.

Sean Foss

CAL FOSS

Junior Faculty Advisor

Cal Foss is a rising sophomore at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and is pursuing a degree in political science and a degree in public policy. After graduation his career goal is to work in international politics and hopefully be an ambassador or some other form of representative. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, theater, and magic the gathering. He attended the Washington Youth Summit on the environment in the summer of 2021 and had a fantastic experience as a junior faculty advisor he hopes to help the event run smoothly so that other people can have that great experience.

Lauren Novorska

LAUREN NOVORSKA

Junior Faculty Advisor

Lauren Novorska is majoring in Ecosystem Science and Policy and Anthropology and minoring  in Sustainable Business and Climate Science and Policy at the University of Miami. She is pursuing a career in environmental policy and education and is passionate about human-wildlife conflict, climate change, and educating students about ecological issues. She is an Everglades Coalition Conference scholarship recipient, serves as the President for the Pi Epsilon National Environmental Science Honor Society, works with the University of Miami Law School Environmental Justice Clinic Shifting Power Course, and is a Lead Educator and Mentor Volunteer for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Lauren’s  experience as a delegate, intern, and JFA at WYSE has been life-changing, and she hopes to make the conference an incredible experience for other delegates!

Allen Yuan

ALLEN YUAN

Junior Faculty Advisor

Allen Yuan (he/him) is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, where he is a recent graduate of the Design, Cultures, and Creativity Living Learning Program in the Honors College. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Management, which he hopes to use to aid in creating a sustainable future that is not only environmentally-sound but also successfully serves every demographic. His interest in environmental science began with a childhood obsession with cetaceans, which has unwaveringly transferred to the present. Allen’s hobbies include baking, figure skating, sitting out in the sun, and hanging out with friends. He attended WYSE in 2021 and served on the Youth Advisory Board after the program. He returned as a Junior Faculty Advisor in 2023 and is excited to do it again this summer! He hopes to help make WYSE 2024 as special and valuable of an experience as it was for him.

Jazmin Golden

JAZMIN GOLDEN

Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2014

Jazmin is an environmental scientist at a consulting firm, supporting environmental condition proposals and other documentation for Army Reserve Centers across the U.S. Jazmin’s current focus includes environmental justice and education. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Health and a minor in Public Policy and Management, as well as a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University. During her undergraduate career, Jazmin also served as an on-campus tour guide and was a member of George Mason University’s Women’s Track and Field team as a 400-meter hurdler.

Elise Bernardoni

ELISE BERNARDONI

Director of Engagement, Canopy Strategic Partners

Elise Bernardoni is the Director of Engagement at Canopy Strategic Partners, helping mission-driven organizations improve the planet. Previously, she was the Assistant Director for Education Programs at Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), where she worked for 14 years, overseeing various education programs and managing special projects. She is an active advocate for zoo-based conservation organizations, an instructor for AZA professional development courses, and the national education co-advisor for the Felid Taxonomic Advisory Group.

Elise holds a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University and an MA in Teaching; Museum Education from The George Washington University. Passionate about youth conservation, she is a Connecticut native who enjoys traveling, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.

Kobe Mosley

KOBE MOSLEY

Advance Team Member

Kobe Mosley is a 2018 alumnus of the sister program to WYSE, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) and has previously worked on the staff for that program as an intern in 2019 and junior faculty advisor in 2022. He graduated from Butler University with a bachelor’s degree in sports media in 2023 and is working towards earning his master’s degree in sports journalism from Indiana University – Indianapolis this summer. After graduation, he plans to work as a McLendon Fellow for the Horizon League in Indianapolis. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing sports, listening to his favorite podcasts, and doing the daily Connections puzzle.