RCC 2022 Stanback Fellows - Rachel Carson Council

RCC Stanback Presidential Fellow – Kaylee Rodriguez

Kaylee Rodriguez is a senior at Duke University pursuing a major in Public Policy, a minor in Environmental Science and Policy, and a certificate in Policy, Journalism, and Media Studies. She is a Miami-native and her proximity to the ocean and Everglades sparked her interest in the natural world. She feels passionately about environmental journalism and education and believes that every area of policy will be influenced by theclimate crisis. Last summer, Kaylee interned with immigration lawyers at Catholic Legal Services and volunteered part-time with her state senator Annette Taddeo. On campus, she is co-director of Camp Kesem and a Political Engagement Project fellow. She hopes to transform her love for the environment and civic engagement into tangible policy solutions and climate action.

RCC Stanback Fellow – Christina Boxberger – Climate Justice

Christina is a senior at Duke University majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Psychology. Born and raised in Durham, she is devoted to enjoying and protecting North Carolina’s ecosystems. She is most interested in environmental education, climate resilience, and urban ecology – places where humans and the environment come together. Outside of class, Christina serves as co-president of her student dance ensemble, is a DJ at Duke’s radio station, and helps collect stories and oral histories from Environmental Justice communities. She’s looking forward to working more on climate justice issues with RCC!

RCC Stanback Fellow – Lily Samuels – Climate Justice

Lily Samuels is a sophomore at Duke University, intending to double major in Environmental Science & Policy and Economics with a minor in Computer Science. She was born in Beaumont, Texas, but has lived abroad in several countries. Moving to many different environments and experiencing many different cultures deepened Lily’s concern for global unity when developing technology for a clean future and sustainable economy. She is specifically interested in applying research and programming skills to investigate and support sustainable solutions that impact political and corporate environmental strategy. As a Stanback Climate Justice Fellow at the Rachel Carson Council, she is excited to broaden her understanding of current environmental legislation and political action through valuable experiences researching legislature relevant to the climate crisis, environmental justice, national emissions, and renewable energy.

RCC Stanback Fellow – Lydia Sellers – Communications

Lydia Sellers is a senior at Duke University majoring in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Marine Science and Conservation, minoring in Cinematic Arts, and pursuing a certificate in Documentary Studies. She has a passion for environmental injustice, science communication, and environmental education involving plastic pollution. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and dancing with Duke’s salsa team. She is a Rachel Carson Scholar at Duke and her research interests lie in how to effectively communicate environmental issues with both nonscientific and scientific audiences to foster change and diversity. She hopes to pursue a future in the field of environmental education and communications.

RCC Stanback Presidential Fellow – Stephanie Murphy

Stephanie is a Master of Environmental Management candidate at Duke University, where she specializes in environmental economics and policy. Prior to beginning her master’s, Stephanie spent 3 years working on federal ocean policy and program management at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership in Washington, D.C. As a Program Associate, she primarily worked to advance interagency ocean observation initiatives, including conducting research and coordinating stakeholders for the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee and the Integrated Ocean Observing System Association. Stephanie stays active at Duke as Chair of Strategic Action for the [email protected] student club and as an upcoming editor for the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Forum. Her specific interests include environmental security and federal governance of the ocean and climate in the face of climate change. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys yoga, podcasts, and taking any opportunity to go diving and snorkeling.

RCC Stanback Fellow – Joy Reeves – Climate Justice

Joy Reeves is a Duke University student from Frederick, Maryland, pursuing a Master 0f Environmental Management degree. Passionate about climate advocacy and scientific communication, she is the author of Growing Up in the Grassroots: Finding Unity in Climate Activism Across Generations, published in July 2020. Joy has also held internship positions at League of Conservation Voters, the Student Conservation Association, and the Wright Lab at Duke University, where she conducted research on the effects of saltwater intrusion and sea level rise on the coast of North Carolina. During her undergraduate career, she received her degree in Environmental Science & Policy with a minor in Visual Media Studies, as well as a Udall scholarship for environmental leadership and public service. She aspires to merge her background in visual communications with her passion for clean energy justice with a focus on solar energy policy.

RCC Stanback Fellow – Annie Wollmuth – Divestment

Annie is a junior at Duke University majoring in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy. She is passionate about the intersection between technical solutions to climate change and their implementation into legislation. She is also part of the Duke Climate Coalition where she works on the divestment team and the education and empowerment team, working to pressure the Duke administration to fully divest! In her free time, she loves to make ceramics and is on the club soccer team.

RCC Stanback Presidential Fellow – Maggie Dees

Maggie Dees is a sophomore in the honors program at Virginia Tech majoring in environmental science. She is from Salisbury, NC, and feels passionate about environmental justice and conservation. Maggie is active with the Environmental Coalition, the United Feminist Movement, and the Alpha Delta Pi sorority outside of the classroom. Maggie has interned with the Natural Resource Defense Council researching the effects of wildfires on public health and the start-up non-profit One Green Thing while serving on its youth advisory board. Maggie is excited about this opportunity with RCC and furthering her commitment to advocating for the environment and for environmental equity and justice.