I am a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where I majored in history and minored in biology. After working in the field of municipal solid waste composting Icompleted a dual masters degree in environmental management and ecological economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. My training in both the social and natural sciences have provided experience in the private, public, international and education sectors. Presently, I am a first year doctoral candidate in the department of City and Regional Planning studying community-based approaches to local development. Prior to enrolling at Cornell, I had the opportunity to teach high school students from inner city environments as well as direct two National Science Foundation funded science programs for talented minority and female students. As a CSIP fellow I hope to capitalize upon these experiences to serve as a mentor and improve the academic and personal achievement of low-income youth.