Benjamin Collette Email & Phone Number

I recently completed a MS in Environmental Sciences degree with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Policy, as well as Geographic Information Systems. Although I am a student, I did not follow the traditional education path, instead spending several years in the workforce before returning to complete my education. After high school, I attended a university where I pursued a different major every semester because I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to make the world a better place, but every course of study seemed to be more of a hobby than a career path. As a result, I took several years off where I worked in restaurants, landscaping and retail. During this time I learned to effectively multi-task, lead and scheduled a landscaping crew, and managed a specialty shop within a larger retail store. Eventually, I realized to provide the best life for my family and to become the best person I could be, I needed to return to school and finish my degree. At the University of Illinois I discovered Environmental Studies, which bridged my interests of protecting the environment, economics, and social equity. During my undergrad, I implemented several projects at the university that promoted sustainability, such as designating parking spaces for fuel-efficient vehicles. I also worked as an intern at a non-profit organization to develop a guide, which assists farmers in Illinois navigate the newly implemented statewide industrial hemp policies. In May 2019, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Environmental Studies. Despite the bachelor's degree, I wanted to learn more about environmental sciences, especially sustainability, policy, and geographic information systems. As a result, I decided to pursue the master's degree. While in the program, I was accepted into the Graduate Public Service Internship program where I accepted a position as a Policy Advisor in the Plumbing & Water Quality Program at the Illinois Department of Public Health. In this role I routinely write guidance documents that convey Program decisions and policy changes to the Illinois plumbing industry. I am also the project manager on a project that publicizes lead in water testing results of Illinois' schools using ArcGIS and Microsoft SQL Server. In addition, I regularly assist the Program by proposing and implementing policy changes and analyzing current systems to improve efficacy.