Class of 2017: Stefanie Neale

Stephanie Neale holds a diploma while wearing cap and gown

Quote

"I chose to pursue a minor in Energy Policy after I came to the realization that energy production and consumption are two of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. We can’t expect to improve the environment without a significant shift towards energy efficiency, carbon pricing, and renewable technologies."

Program

M.A. in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis in Energy; B.A. in Environmental Economics, minor in Energy Policy

Graduating Class

2017

Biography

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics from Western in the summer of 2015. I chose to pursue a minor in Energy Policy after I came to the realization that energy production and consumption are two of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. We can’t expect to improve the environment without a significant shift towards energy efficiency, carbon pricing, and renewable technologies.

During my third year of my undergraduate studies, I reached out to a guest speaker from the local organization Sustainable Connections that presented in my Energy Policy class, and I was offered an internship with their Community Energy Challenge program. My connections at this position then encouraged me to pursue a paid internship with the City of Bellingham. I worked with the City for over one year to help the City compete in a nationwide energy efficiency competition called the Georgetown University Energy Prize.

I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Western, where I am leading an off-campus energy efficiency pilot program that I co-designed in my senior year as an undergraduate student. I am working on making this program, Project RENT, a permanent resource for students wanting to reduce their energy use in off-campus homes. I am also a member of the Women in Energy Mentoring Network and the WWU chapter of Net Impact. 

Stefanie's LinkedIn Profile