Claire Lesnjak

What is your major? Chemical engineering with certificates in engineering for energy sustainability and environmental studies

Expected graduation: May/summer 2026

What inspired your interest in the environment and/or community? I grew up frequently traveling to our family cabin and camping in northern Wisconsin. I was constantly outside observing animals, insects, and plants. I would even take a notebook with me to record these observations, just ask my mom!

In elementary school, I skipped class to plant trees. To be more specific, I was planting the little maple helicopter seeds across the school yard and playground. Yes, I got in trouble for it and had to stop. In high school I was first introduced to the idea of intersectionality: that many of the challenges we face as a society are interconnected. For example, creating green spaces in disadvantaged neighborhoods has been shown to reduce rates of violence.

While I no longer skip class to plant trees, my motivation to protect the environment and combat climate change has not gone away. My goal is to use the skills I’ve learned from my engineering coursework to reduce environmental impact in a way that also benefits local communities.