Student Spotlight: The AEC welcomes three new interns for Fall 2017!

Sean Bernheisel here! I'm currently a senior in the Environmental Resource Management Major (Environmental Science option), with a minor in Environmental Engineering. Coming from the engineering side of academia made me interested in all things analytical, which is why environmental science is such a great fit for me. A background of growing up in Lancaster County, PA, and being active in the Boy Scouts gave me a love for the outdoors. The Agriculture and Environment Center is where these two interests of the outdoors and analytics seem to meet. The work that the Center does has some real personal interest to me, as much of the work done is pertaining to Lancaster and the Chesapeake Bay. Working to restore my home watershed is the best way I can protect my home community, and I certainly think I will be doing just that. Whether it be giving a presentation on proper stormwater management, working on watershed restoration, or simply taking notes on presentations, I'll certainly be kept busy working here, and I'll be happy doing it.

Hi! I'm Bill Ryan. I'm a sophomore in Environmental Resource Management (Environmental Science Option), minoring in Geographic Information Science. I'm very proud and excited to be a part of the AEC team. I am a State College native, and grew a love for environmental stewardship at a young age through exploring nature at a family cabin near Dubois, PA. I am returning to Penn State after an 8-year career in the Marine Corps where I served as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. Returning to Penn State and involving myself in the ERM program has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Not only is it incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that is making a difference in the conservation of our natural resources, but working with the AEC will provide valuable experience in my pursuit of a career in Environmental Consulting.

I'm Aidan Tierney a junior at Penn State from Pittsburgh, PA. Because of a strong interest in a career involving environmental law and restoration; I am majoring in Environmental Resource Management within the College of Agricultural Sciences, and pursuing two minors in Geographic Information Systems and Watersheds & Watershed Resources. I have spent the last six summers working for James P. Fahey Co.; a general contracting and construction company based out of Pittsburgh, PA. During my time at the AEC, I plan to use this blue-collar knowledge coupled with my GIS skills, and environmental education to become an essential asset to the team through: educational and public outreach events, GIS support on projects involving watersheds within the Chesapeake Bay, and volunteer service for maintaining Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the local area. From this opportunity, I hope to gain insight on the impacts farming has on water quality, regulations and implementation of BMPs, and the ongoing efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay.