My name is Josie Welker (she/her), and I am a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate from the Chemistry Department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I am from central Illinois and received my B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Studies from Monmouth College in 2021. I have been involved in organizations within the Chemistry Department and am excited to work with other graduate and professional students through a campus-wide organization this year! I have worked with the Office of Sustainability in several different capacities over the years in my program and look forward to continuing to grow those relationships.

Some of my goals for this year include establishing green laboratory initiatives, electronic waste recycling, energy conservation, and increasing campus involvement in sustainability initiatives. Environmental justice is integral to sustainability, and I aim to incorporate that into all our initiatives. I am also passionate about outreach and science communication, and I hope to increase our impact on not only the campus, but the Iowa City area at large! 

Outside of my work within the University, I enjoy reading, crocheting, riding my bike, spending time with friends and family, and spending time outdoors. Serving as Sustainability Director for GPSG, I am most excited about meeting new people across the campus and discussing novel approaches to create a more sustainable campus for us all.