Student: Brynn Miller

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Brynn Miller's parents instilled in her the importance of respecting nature. They taught her botany and anatomy and routinely recycled, picked up litter and spent time outdoors at their home in Washington, North Carolina.

"I spent as much time as possible outside in the woods or caring for our animals," Miller said. "I wanted to work with my hands. My dream was to go to veterinarian school, but I was allergic to pets. I chose the next best thing: environmental studies."

Miller is a senior majoring in multidisciplinary studies with a concentration in environmental studies at East Carolina University, where she has interned with ECU Sustainability since January. The office works to eliminate wasteful practices and improve efficiency on campus.

"I love my job. Everyone I've connected with on campus has been so helpful and nice and I feel so lucky to be able to work here," she said. "It has been a great opportunity to gain experience, make money, get college credit and improve my sustainability skills."

She has had the opportunity to work on a range of projects including "digitizing the files from the campus fleet, working on and reviewing our sustainability certification (STARS), creating a guide for hosting green events, updating our Green Office Program certification, updating our Google maps, creating and editing maps on ArcGIS, discussing sustainability with educators across the world monthly, and tabling events the sustainability office hosts or attends," Miller said.

In her role, she attended an energy conference at Appalachian State University and toured a green public K-12 school in Jones County with rooftop solar panels. The experience has given her the opportunity to meet and talk with staff and faculty members across campus as well as contractors, energy managers, business owners and the public.

"In addition to all the fun work experience I have gained, this is also the best form of education I have received so far in my college career," she said.

At ECU, Miller has served as an officer for ECO-Pirates, a sustainability and environmental-based, student-run group that organizes regular street cleanups and other service projects. In addition, Miller enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching TV or movies, playing games, cooking and going out together.

While at ECU, Miller said she has become self-sufficient and established connections in her field that have prepared her to enter the workforce. She is set to graduate this spring and plans to return to pursue a master's degree.

"It has been a very stressful and chaotic and I can't wait to feel the relief and pride of being a college graduate," Miller said.

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Statistics

Name: Brynn Miller

College: Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences

Major: Multidisciplinary studies

Age: 19

Classification/Year: Senior

Hometown: Washington, North Carolina

Clubs and Organizations: ECO Pirates, SustainabiliBEES

Favorites

Favorite place on campus: Joyner Library

Favorite place to eat: My Mema's house

Favorite class: Hydrogeology and the Environment

Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Natalie Aman

Favorite band/musician: The Beatles or One Direction

Motivations

Dream job: Environmental science communicator

Role model: My mother

What advice do you have for other students? Be involved on campus. Join clubs, organizations, Greek life, intramural sports. Get to know not only other students, but the campus staff and faculty. It's a great way to make meaningful, long-lasting connections and broaden your social circle.