Andrus Scholars Class of 2023

Laura was raised in Boise, Idaho, but feels that she has only just begun to be able to explore and fully appreciate the rich diversity of Idaho’s landscapes. After a life-changing experience working with the Idaho Conservation Corps and Northwest Youth Corps during the summer of 2022, she quickly developed a passion for the world of outdoor work and recreation. Those weeks spent camping and working across the states of Idaho and Oregon inspired an insatiable desire to learn more about the environment and the relationships that people have with it.

Now, she aims to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies at Boise State. She also intends to incorporate her long-held passion for writing and storytelling into her education through the English Literature program. Laura hopes to combine her interests in the environment and storytelling to inspire others to develop appreciation for the world around them, as well as uplift and share the narratives of communities who work closely with the land. She feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to further her education and pursue her interests as an Andrus Scholar, and she is excited to spend the summer working with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Fact: The best afternoon of my life involved a pod of whales, gluten-free fish & chips, saving a child, and some really tasty fudge.

Hi! My name is Drew. I‘m interested in the political economy of the environment – answering questions about the environmental impacts of policy decisions and economic processes. Outside of being a nerd, I love rock climbing, cooking, and playing Tetris (not to brag, but I’m getting pretty good…) I’m excited to work with the Andrus Center and to pursue a career in environmental policy and organizing!

A fun fact about me: My go-to karaoke song is “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross – and yes, I sing both parts.

Maggie is going into her third year at Boise State University where she is seeking a BA
in both Communication and Environmental Studies. She also participates on the Boise State
track and field team. Having grown up in rural Minnesota, Maggie has always had an
appreciation for the outdoors. She was fortunate enough to live on a lake and most summers you could find her somewhere outside. This appreciation has grown immensely with her move to Idaho. Because of her appreciation of the outdoors, Maggie has her eyes set on a career in Environmental Law. Outside of her love for all things natural and her participation in track, Maggie spends time reading, doing crafts, snowboarding, and climbing.

A fun fact about Maggie: is that her idol is Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her ultimate goal in life is to be a supreme court
justice.

I am an incoming senior majoring in Environmental Studies. In my free time, I love to embroider, read, hammock, snowboard, and climb. I am the events coordinator for the Boise State Campus Sustainability Department, and a founding member and current president of the Environmental Club here on campus. As someone wanting to enact change for our environment and work with my hands, I have a passion for land stewardship and botany. I got the chance to explore these passions further this past summer working on a fuels reduction and trail crew with the Idaho Conservation Corps. I lived and worked with a small crew across Idaho’s beautiful public lands. This experience also allowed me to become a certified sawyer and grow my interest in riparian habitat restoration. I am very excited about what this program has in store for me as I intern for the Bureau of Land Management this summer.