
About the 2026 Project Team

Faculty Advisor
Professor of Political Science at the United States Naval Academy, Howard Ernst's teaching and research focus on environmental policy and American politics. Ernst directs the Environmental Leadership Program at Gettysburg College's Eisenhower Institute and serves as a Senior Scholar at University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

Project Member
Mikayla is an Anthrolpogy and Museum Studies double major with an Environmental Studies minor (class of ’28). She enjoys reading, being out in nature, and has a passion for the environment. On campus, she works as a Leaderhsip Educator at the Garthwait Leadership Center. While she does not know the exact career path she plans to go down after graduating, she hopes to work in the outdoors.

Project member
Hi! My name is Arya and I’m a sophomore at Gettysburg college. I’m majoring in environmental science with minors in business and data science.
Outside of classes, I love traveling to new places and learning about new things

Project Member
Khanh is a Mathematics Economics major with a minor in Data Science. She is an international student from Vietnam and loves being out in nature. Khanh loves crocheting and making craft things. Especially, she really loves the cows !!!

Project Member
Sumaiya Parvin Kaniz
As an international student from Vietnam, I have a passion for Environmental Sciences, which was ignited by witnessing the environmental challenges faced by my home country. Currently majoring in Environmental Studies, I aim to advance my understanding and contribute to meaningful research initiatives. Environmental problems that I’m currently interested in are urban flooding, community vulnerability to sea-level rise, soil erosion, and sustainable development.

Project Member
Sema Williams
My name is Sema M. Williams. I am a SHE-CAN scholar and the founder of a nonprofit organization in Liberia that supports girls’ education and equips young women with skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy for equal rights. Through this work, I am committed to empowering girls to see themselves as leaders and changemakers within their communities. I am particularly interested in working at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and global cooperation to promote justice, protect human rights, and support sustainable development. I hope to use my voice, education, and experiences to influence policies, represent communities, and contribute to meaningful change on an international scale.