Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences - Meet Molly

Molly ’25 is a lifelong problem solver. When it came time to pick a college major, her knack for fixing problems and her love of environmental protection made her choice easy.

“Pursuing a degree in environmental science made perfect sense,” she explained. “Climate change is a pressing issue, and I hope to be a part of the next generation of scientists and policy makers finding sustainable solutions to this crisis.”

Molly, from Champaign, Ill., has used her Hope education to make this goal a reality. In just four years at Hope, she has spent a semester studying climate change justice in Morocco, Nepal and Ecuador. She’s also worked as a student leader for Green Hope, the institution’s environmental student organization, conducted research on soil health near fossil fuel plants in the Macatawa watershed and traveled to the Bahamas to study the biology and geology of a carbonate island with Dr. Brian Bodenbender.

Currently, she’s spending her final semester in Washington D.C., interning with Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office, where she’ll learn about constituent outreach and natural resource policy.

Molly has appreciated the excellence in the Department of Geological and Environmental Science. “I love that the department provides many opportunities to learn and research in the field,” she explained. “I’ve found that all our professors are deeply genuine and caring, often going above and beyond to contribute to our learning.”

Upon graduation, Molly aims to work in environmental policy, regenerative agriculture or ecosystem restoration. She hopes to attend grad school to expand her understanding of complex environmental issues. “I want to discover how I can find my place in bringing about positive change,” she added.

She’s thankful for donors like you. “Thank you for believing in the power that education has in shaping student’s lives and leading to a more sustainable future. It’s inspired me to prioritize community and reflect on how I can use the skills and knowledge I’ve gained through my education at Hope to help create a better world for everyone,” she said.

Your gifts to the Department of Geological and Environmental Science will give more students an opportunity to learn to be problem solvers and create a more sustainable future for us all. What will you make possible with your gift to the department today?