Alyssa Gilliland is a first year student from Cincinnati, Ohio. Although she is currently undecided, Alyssa is exploring options in the field of business, environmental and animal science. Her career interests are centered around project management and strategic planning. In her four years at Loveland High School, Alyssa was primarily involved in Loveland Show Choirs and Student Council. Alyssa was elected into student council as Secretary of the Class of 2016 for both her junior and senior years of high school. In addition to these positions, she was elected by her peers to be President of the Student Council Organization. In this position, she was responsible for communicating with administration and various stakeholders, leading monthly meetings, and overseeing and facilitating school dances and charity events. As a part of National Honor Society, Alyssa was able to take part in various service opportunities such as Cincinnati parks clean up, Cool School tutoring for children on individualized education plans, and volunteering at the Loveland Healthcare Center. In her senior year, Alyssa conducted a capstone research project at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with two of her peers. Her team successfully mutated the enzyme endo-beta-galactosidase. This experience allowed Alyssa to grow as a learner, a team member and a leader in a professional setting. Alyssa gained interest in environmental causes after her visits to Puerto Rico and St. John. Seeing and being immersed in the pristine environment sparked a passion to help protect and maintain earth that we inhabit. She hopes to combine her career interests in the field of business and her passion for sustainability to create a more efficient and eco-friendly economy and society. At Ohio State, she hopes to take steps to lessen the amount of waste produced on the campus. This can be accomplished through the addition of compost and terracycle. Although these are complex goals, they can be achieved with the right resources and planning.