Students gather a recent AAEES event
Student organizations at Drexel serve as vital spaces where undergraduates
can connect through shared academic interests and professional goals. This
fall, environmental engineering and science students gained a new
opportunity for community building with the formation of a student chapter
of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES).
Environmental engineering major Jessica Abu, along with fellow students
Alyssa Kemp, Avani Kavathekar, Calvin Keeys, and Kate Singh, established the
chapter to create a community for environmental engineering and science
students at Drexel. Their goal was to foster connections and create a
supportive space on campus while connecting students to a national network
of environmental professionals.
"Environmental engineering and science are small majors at Drexel," Abu
explained. "This gives us a great opportunity to build connections between
students earlier in their academic journey, rather than waiting until their
environmental coursework begins in later years."
The chapter hit the ground running with its first major event: the Climate
& Sustainability Lunch, co-hosted with Drexel's Environmental
Collaboratory, bringing together environmental students and professionals
over food and conversation. Following this success, the chapter organized a
"Finding Your Way at Drexel" panel, where professors from civil engineering,
environmental engineering, and environmental science departments shared
insights about classes, research, and careers in the environmental field.
Looking ahead, the chapter plans to host a range of academic, professional,
social, and technical events to build community and support among students.
These events will span from professional development opportunities to social
gatherings, creating multiple pathways for students to connect and grow
together. The chapter welcomes any student majoring in, or interested in,
environmental engineering, environmental science, or related fields.
"We believe that environmental engineering and science are multidisciplinary
studies that offer valuable insights for students from diverse backgrounds
and areas of study," Abu noted, emphasizing the chapter's inclusive approach
to building a professional network that extends beyond the university.
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