Our 2019-2020 Planet Forward Correspondents

Congratulations to our 2019-2020 team of Planet Forward Correspondents! Read below to learn more about the exceptional team of students selected, and be sure to click through to see their full profiles:

  • Rohan Agrawal, University of Mississippi, is a junior majoring in computer science with double minors in international relations and mathematics. He has a great interest in using his education to solve issues surrounding climate change and hunger.
  • Brooke Bowser, University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a junior studying environmental sciences and life sciences communications, and also working toward a certificate in sustainability.
  • Devon Camillieri, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry,  is a junior seeking a degree in environmental studies with a concentration in communication and society. She's minoring in environmental writing and rhetoric.
  • Natalie Chun, Northwestern University, is a junior studying journalism and legal studies.
  • Codi Clark, Texas Tech University, is a junior agricultural communications major, with a minor in natural resource management and a strong interest in photojournalism.
  • Iana Davis, Misericordia University, is a senior studying mass communications.
  • Mahalia Dryak, Reed College, is a senior majoring in environmental studies-biology.
  • Lindsay Eberhart, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, is a junior majoring in environmental studies with a focus in policy, planning, and law.
  • Anne Flaherty, Eckerd College, is a senior majoring in environmental studies and minoring in film studies.
  • Valerie Gutierrez, Middlebury College, is a junior studying economics.
  • Elina Mariutsa, Northeastern University, is a junior studying international affairs and political science, with minors in Russian and history, while simultaneously working on her master’s degree in public administration.
  • Jake Meyers, University of Arizona, is a graduate student in the master's of development practice program and an aspiring development practitioner and social scientist primarily interested in climate change adaptation and international development.
  • Charles Olsen, SUNY Plattsburgh, is a senior environmental studies student, with a focus on environmental justice issues.
  • Max Sano, Franklin & Marshall College, is a sophomore majoring in government and environmental studies, with a minor in Arabic.
  • Cate Twining-Ward, George Washington University, is a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and minoring in sustainability.
  • Marisa Umeh, University of California, Berkeley, is a sophomore studying business administration and media studies.
  • Kelsey Woody, George Washington University, is a graduate student studying strategic public relations.

All Correspondent work will be featured here. Check back frequently!

How do you move the Planet Forward? Tweet us @planet_forward or contribute to the conversation with your own story.

Hub Content

Marisa Umeh attends a session during the Committee on World Food Security Conference in October 2019 at the UN-FAO in Rome. (Kim Ossi/PlanetForward.org)

University of California, Berkeley
I found it comforting to know that in a highly polarized political climate, countries are willing to put aside their differences to ensure that the most vulnerable in their society are able to thrive.

Lindsay Eberhart listens to panelists during a youth-centered session on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Kim Ossi/PlanetForward.org)

Planet Forward Correspondent | SUNY-ESF
When I entered the headquarters of the FAO on Monday morning, I knew the week ahead would include breakthroughs and realizations — not only for myself, but for the world. 

Rohan Agrawal at the Committee on World Food Security Conference in October 2019. (Dan Reed/PlanetForward.org)

Planet Forward Correspondent | University of Mississippi
I had impatiently waited to attend the Committee on World Food Security for the past four months. Little did I know that I was about to step inside a place that would dramatically change my perspective on global issues.

A science classroom in Evanston Township High School where Marla Isaacs, a biology teacher, encourages respectful conversations when teaching about climate change, no matter what their opinion is. (Natalie Chun/Northwestern University)

Planet Forward Correspondent | Northwestern University
“It's just a statement,” teacher Anna Kraftson said of climate change. “There's data. It's not like ‘I believe in this’ or ‘I don't believe in this.’"
SUNY Plattsburgh
In this podcast, Correspondent Charles Olsen discusses the experience of organizing the youth climate strike from the perspective of a few of the young organizers.
Young boy stands before climate marchers (Jake Meyers/University of Arizona).

Will this youth-led movement be a tipping point in the climate crisis? (Jake Meyers/University of Arizona).

Planet Forward Senior Correspondent
Mothers, like Janet Rothers of Arizona, believe it is important to let their young children know that climate change is going on in the world.
Student activist Giselle Herzfeld poses in front of a tree.

Student activist Giselle Herzfeld (Mahalia Dryak/Reed College)

Planet Forward Correspondent | Reed College
Giselle Herzfeld, 22, chats about the Global Climate Strike movement, 350 Colorado, and her work getting Reed College students involved in the Portland Climate March.
Planet Forward Correspondent | University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sophie Guthrie, executive member of the Youth Climate Action Team, rallied alongside other youth leaders in Madison, Wisconsin's Youth Climate Strike.
Shaylyn Warrior at the Lubbock, Texas, Climate March

Shaylyn Warrior at the Lubbock, Texas, Climate Strike. (Codi Clark/Texas Tech University)

Planet Forward Correspondent | Texas Tech University
Despite growing up around the oil industry, Shaylyn Warrior talks about how she and others at the Lubbock, Texas, march think it's time the Southwest turns away from fossil fuel production.
Pielet speaks at St. Petersberg Climate Strike.

Melissa Pielet speaks at St. Petersberg Climate Strike. (Anne Orca/Eckerd College)

Planet Forward Correspondent | Eckerd College
St. Petersburg, Florida, joined the global call for climate action on Sept. 20. Eckerd College student Melissa Pielet has some thoughts on the practicality of implementing the change we so urgently need.

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