Jessica Wilson
Jessica is from Bordentown, New Jersey and is a Sustainability Management and Environmental Science Dual Degree student. She is an embodiment of the Batten Honors College pillar of environmental stewardship: Jessica serves as the Vice President of the Marlins Go Green club and has worked to successfully plan a Climate Symposium as an intern with Dr. Malcolm and the Gunn Group.
What is your favorite BHC-related memory?
My favorite BHC related memory was the Cultural and Environmental Sustainability Course in Haines, AK. Each day we learned from someone new in different sustainability sectors and they took us out into the field! I learned how to approach an environmental issue facing the community from government, scientific, and non-profit perspectives. I also loved playing basketball while overlooking the mountains with our professor, Dr. Gibson, and listening to his life adventures.
What is your most significant takeaway from being a member of the Batten Honors College?
My most significant takeaway from BHC is a toolkit full of sustainability strategies, with opportunities for application and connections.
What is the most prominent skill that you have gained as a BHC student?
The most prominent skill I have learned from BHC is how to step out of my comfort zone and take the initiative. The faculty and BHC community fosters an environment that builds each others' confidence and supports each others' passions.
What advice would you offer to future Batten Honors College students?
I urge future BHC students to take the time to go to office hours with your professors. They have such valuable information to offer and are awesome people! They also can connect you to further career opportunities. I also encourage students to pay attention to campus events/ guest lecturers and ask questions, they can connect you to future opportunities as well.
Campus Involvement:
- Marlins Go Green, Vice President
- I enjoy planning monthly documentary nights, service opportunities, and advocacy events!
- Intentional Endowment Network Student Silk Corporate Engagement Challenge, Co-lead
We chose a U.S. publicly-traded company and performed competitor analysis, ESG analysis, and developed an engagement strategy. - Climate Symposium, Intern
I am currently interning with Dr. Malcolm and the Gunn Group to plan a Climate Symposium for the Hampton Roads region.
Through these opportunities, I have gained project management skills while learning more about the application of sustainability solutions.
Awards, recognitions, and/or conference presentations
Last year, my team and I won the national IEN Student Silk Student Corporate Engagement competition! BHC provided me the opportunity to attend the Virginia Collegiate Honors Council Annual conference to present Katie Baker and I's research from Alaska while connecting with other honors college students in Virginia.
What are your future goals after graduation?
My future goals are to learn more about how I can best make an impact in my personal and professional life. I aspire to become a Sustainability Officer of a business one day!