A photo of the lake at the wilderness field station
  1. Coe
  2. Academics
  3. Majors & Areas of Study
  4. Environmental Science
  5. Successful Alumni

Successful Alumni

Students who complete the environmental science collateral major are well-prepared for graduate work in environmental sciences including biology, chemistry and environmental engineering programs. Recent graduates have investigated the fate of nitrate in freshwater systems, developed environmental policy for development of natural areas and pursued law degrees. Students also can enter the job market directly with governmental agencies, consulting firms or analytical laboratories.

  • Alex Michaud '09 graduated from Coe with majors in biology and environmental science. As a graduate student at Montana State University, Michaud conducted research in Antarctica as a member of the WISSARD (Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling) team. Click here to read Alex's blog, "Journey to Subglacial Antarctica." He was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in ecology and environmental science with a focus in environmental microbiology from Montana State University in 2016. Dr. Michaud then accepted a two-year post-doctoral appointment to continue his research studies at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark. His post-doctoral research focuses on Arctic marine sediment microbiology and the coordination of an international research team and expedition to the Norwegian Arctic.
  • Kendra Miner ’16 graduated from Coe with a biology/environmental science major. After working as an intern for the US Geological Survey, she completed a master’s degree at the University of Iowa in environmental engineering. She is employed at Stantec, a consulting firm that specializes in environmental and natural resource assessments.
  • Jeffrey Powell ’12 majored in biology and environmental science at Coe. He is currently a GIS Specialist at MSA Professional Services in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area.
  • Amy Burgin ’02 majored in biology and environmental science at Coe with minors in chemistry and Spanish. She is currently a professor at the University of Kansas. She was formerly a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying biogeochemistry and working with Coe chemistry and environmental science professor, Dr. Marty St. Clair, on a National Science Foundation-funded study of nitrate in Iowa water.
  • Amanda (Kohn) Lang '14 just completed her Masters in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning with a focus in water, systems, science, and society (WSSS) at Tufts University. Works part-time at the Stockholm Environment Institute on a UN Sustainable Development Goal nexus project.
  • Spencer Stout '16 has studied the ecology of many different habitats in the western Hemisphere. He has studied insects in the El Yunque National Forest of Puerto Rico as well as in Kentucky. Currently studying squirrels in the Yukon Territory of Canada.