Think beyond

Assistant Professor of Geography
and Environmental Engineering
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

Q. How did an economics major end up teaching in the geography and environmental engineering department at Johns Hopkins?
A. I work on the economics and policy of environmental and natural resource issues. It’s very fascinating work. The department has always done a lot of inter- and multidisciplinary research, so it’s not as odd of a fit as it might seem for someone with a doctorate in economics.

Q. Has your Drew experience informed your life today?
A. Of course! I wouldn’t be in this field if it weren’t for my interest in economics and environmental economics, in particular my introduction to the field at Drew. My advisers prepared me for a research career, helped me find a good graduate program for my interests—and buy me drinks when we meet up at academic conferences! It’s remarkable and delightful.

Q. What led you to the economics major?
A. I liked the combination of relevance and rigor in the field. I had taken an introductory class to fill in some general education requirements, and I immediately added the major. It seemed like such a powerful way to understand a lot of things in the world. 

Q. Did your semester in Brussels with the European Union program add to that understanding?
A. The Brussels Semester really showed me how policy choices matter in people’s lives and how academic research and analysis fit into the decision-making process. It also was very eye opening for me in terms of my own perspective on the world—not only was it my first time out of the country, it was the first time I’d been in school and not also working. I really was able to have more of the college experience than in my terms back in Madison in some ways.

Q. How about your classes back in Madison? Can you name a favorite?
A. You know, I honestly can’t. I had so many great classes. In economics, I think my favorite class was most likely Fred Curtis’ history of economic thought course. It offered wonderful perspective on how we had come to use this mode of analysis, and what we could ask of both mainstream neoclassical methodologies and alternate economic approaches. 

Q. Seems like you enjoyed your academic experience. 
A. It was great. I went back to Drew to give a presentation to the economics honor society last year, and it was like going home. Many of my professors are still there, and they were all so kind and thoughtful. All of them have helped me out over the years.

Q. Why did you choose to attend Drew?
A. Drew was the only school I applied to. I was raised in South Carolina. I wanted to go somewhere different, and I wanted to go somewhere small. I visited, and it seemed perfect.

Q. It appears your choice worked out quite well for you.
A. I’ve been really fortunate, and choosing Drew was definitely a great decision in many, many ways.