Lauren Young is a senior from Yorktown, Virginia, double-majoring in environmental studies and biology. She is the former president of AKX, a subject tutor for GIS, and a research fellow. “I worked with Dr Steinweg for my first three years here. We did soil research, which involved looking at different characteristics under restoration treatments over at the Environment Center. Unfortunately, she left, so this year, I’m working with Dr Collins, and I’m looking at smooth coneflower population dynamics. It’s a federally threatened plant species, and we’re looking at if deer are impacting their plant size and population size.”
“When I became president of AKX, I didn’t expect how much time it would take to manage a group like that. It was a learning experience, learning time management and making sure everyone’s doing their job, while also balancing school and extracurriculars. So, yeah, here’s a lot more that goes into managing a big group of people than people think. For example, during rush week, we have events planned every night for people to come out and see what we’re like. We have to make sure we buy all the supplies, which involves checking out the credit card and making sure that the members are showing up and know what’s going on. On top of talking to all of the new people at the event, it can be really overwhelming. My first time, I just wanted everything to go right, so I made sure I was doing everything, and it was daunting. But I made it, and it was a good experience. It taught me how to do it better the next time.”
“I really like to do puzzles, which is not something that people always like
to do. I think it’s relaxing, though a lot of people don’t. As I grew up, my sister and I would always do puzzles, and it’s just something that takes my mind off other things.”
“Originally, I wanted to play soccer in college, hopefully at a small school, and I was looking at schools in Virginia. Roanoke was one of the ones that I found, and ultimately I didn’t play soccer, but I really liked the area. I grew up by the beach, so I wanted to go into a new environment, and being close to the mountains was something that I wanted to experience. The small class size, the programs they offer, the campus environment, and the liberal arts approach to classes we’re the main reasons for my choosing Roanoke College.”
Regarding her plans for after graduation, Lauren said, “I wanted to go to grad school to get a master’s in ecology, which is not looking great because of funding. So I’m planning to go back home and find a job around there, like an entry-level environmental ecology type job. My backup option is to join the Appalachian Conservation Corps. I spent a summer with them last summer, and I really liked it.”
“I’m a very structured person, but at the same time, I always change my mind about things. One minute, I’m really into reading, the next, I’m really into doing puzzles, the next, I’m really into coloring. So while I look very organized and structured, I’m also kind of all over the place.”
“I’d like to thank my parents, who’ve been very supportive throughout my time here; my friends, both hometown friends and the friends that I’ve made here; my boyfriend Luke, we’ve been together since high school and I couldn’t be here without him; everyone in AKX was super awesome, especially during my presidency, all the leadership and exec board members helped me get through everything; and lastly, my professors, really all of them, but I want to highlight Dr Collins, Dr Peters, and Dr Steinweg, because they gave me a lot of opportunities. They have guided me in these four years, and I feel prepared to go out into the field with their help.”
Juniper Rogers
Section Editor
