Peer Mentor Program

2023-2024 Peer Mentors

To more effectively disseminate valuable information regarding the major, the Yale College Dean Office has established an informal peer mentoring system. Peer mentors are trained to convey advice and information to their peers, as a way of increasing and diversifying mentoring resources within majors. Environmental Studies peer mentors meet with prospective and current majors to provide advice and information regarding EVST. They can answer questions about what it’s like to major in EVST, what classes you may wish to take in the major, and how to find your concentration courses. First-year and sophomore students are encouraged to contact EVST Mentors with questions about EVST.

Selin Goren Energy and Climate BS’24, Timothy Dwight College

Selin is pursuing a certificate in Energy Studies, and an advanced language certificate in Spanish alongside her EVST degree. She’s from Turkey and is engaged in climate advocacy in her hometown, Istanbul, with the Fridays for Future movement. She’s passionate about the green energy transition of companies and cities, carbon containment technologies, and youth participation in climate politics. At Yale, she’s working as a Research Assistant in the Yale Carbon Containment Lab and the Student Director of EVST.  She previously worked as a content producer with YPCCC and as a sustainability liaison with the Yale Office of Sustainability. This summer, she spent 6 weeks in Iceland joining a study abroad program on renewable energy and resource economics with funding from Yale’s International Summer Award. Outside of work, Selin can be found dancing tango, bird-watching, and reading in the TD courtyard. 

Ben Everett-Lane Energy & Climate BS’24, Berkeley College

Ben is pursuing certificates in Chinese and Statistics & Data Science alongside his EVST degree. He has specific interests in climate science, communication, and policy. Ben currently works as a research assistant for the YPCCC and is a co-founder of GreenCheck, a youth climate action organization. Through the Summer Environmental Fellowship, the Thomas C Barry Travel Fellowship, the Leitner International Research and Internship Fellowship, and the Class of 1960 John Heinz Government Service Fellowship, he has previously worked for NOAA’s Climate Program Office and WildRoots-India, an environmental education organization. He has also been an assistant editor, reviewer, and co-author for YSE Professor Florencia Montagnini on her conservation book, the sustainability liaison for Berkeley College, research assistant for YCELP on their 2022 EPI report, conference planner for the IUCN, and wilderness trips leader for Overland. Outside of environmental work, you can Ben hard at work on a jigsaw puzzle, biking around New Haven, or spending too much time in the dining hall.

Emily Horgen Sustainability and Natural Resources BA’24, Silliman College

Emily is double majoring in EVST and East Asian Studies. She’s interested in the intersection between finance and the clean energy sector. She started her environmental journey working for a nonprofit called the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida. She wrote and illustrated a children’s book called Lee the Sea Turtle Swims Free in English and Chinese to spread awareness about sea turtle conservation in Southern China, where sea turtles are poached for their meat and shells. Last summer, Emily interned in the office of Senator Blumenthal in Washington, D.C., where she wrote policy memorandums to inform staffers on important environmental issues. This past summer, Emily interned in New York at Decarbonization Partners, a joint-venture between Blackrock and Singapore-based Temasek, where she helped the team invest in private firms developing technologies that drive decarbonization. On campus, Emily enjoys painting, running with friends, and spending time at the Yale Farm. 
 

Grace Cajski Marine Conservation BA’24, Franklin College

Grace is double majoring in EVST and English; she’s also a prospective Yale Journalism Scholar. She is from New Orleans, and is passionate about leveraging storytelling and education as tools for conservation and food systems and aquaculture. As a NOAA Hollings Scholar, she analyzed how aquaculture gear affects fish behavior in the Long Island Sound. She has done conservation reporting in Hawaii as a YPCCC x Pulitzer Center Climate Reporting Fellow with support from the Yale Sustainable Food Program’s Global Food Fellowship,  CIPE Summer Journalism Fellowship, LEAP Student Grant Program,  Benjamin Franklin Richter Fellowship, and  Yale Environmental Humanities Program Student Grant. She has worked in the carbon offset industry, the Yale Sustainable Food Program, YPCCC, and the Fellowships Office. 

Saskia Braden Environmental Policy BA’24.5, Berkeley College

Saskia is an Environmental Studies / Global Affairs double major passionate about all things climate policy! This summer, she supported domestic climate priorities as an intern in the White House Climate Policy Office. Over the past few years, she has had the opportunity to look at corporate climate action, international climate risk assessment, and grassroots organizing through internships with the World Wildlife Fund, the Woodwell Climate Research Center, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, and the Conservation Law Foundation. During a gap semester, Saskia spent three months monitoring wildlife and excavating sea turtle nests as a volunteer at Osa Conservation, a remote research station in Costa Rica. On campus, she leads YSEC’s UN COP delegation and serves as Dwight Hall’s Yale Engagement Coordinator. When she’s not in the classroom, you can find Saskia obsessing over the NYT Spelling Bee or (unsuccessfully) hunting for secret passageways with friends.

Kezia Levy Sustainability & Natural Resources B.A’24, Saybrook College

Kezia is pursuing a certificate in Energy Studies, and an advanced language certificate in Spanish alongside her EVST degree. She is from London, and has been interested in the environment from a young age. She is particularly interested in the intersection of environmental progress and business. Last summer, Kezia worked as an ESG consultant, helping some of the world’s largest companies with their emission reduction plans. This summer, she has been working as a consultant with one of North America’s largest oil and gas companies, working on their decarbonization plans. On campus, Kezia has been working with other Yale student to code an app focused on reducing fast fashion on college campuses. When she isn’t performing peer mentor duties, you can find her hiking to East Rock, playing Club Lacrosse, and going to hot yoga with friends! She can’t wait to meet everyone, feel free to reach out with any questions or if you just want to grab a coffee / meal or even hike to East Rock together!