The Facilities Department is excited to announce its selection of Aaron Waters as the new Environmental Health and Safety Intern here at St. Edward’s University.
Aaron will assist the university in fulfilling the requirements set by the EPA, TCEQ, and other environmental compliance measures. This work will be accomplished through the development and maintenance of environmental records, the preparation of required compliance documentation for submission to local, state, and federal authorities, and conducting inventories of hazardous chemicals to ensure proper disposal. The collection, parsing, evaluating, and reporting of utility consumption and waste reduction data will also make up a large part of Aaron’s responsibilities. This internship is essential to the sustainable success of St. Edward’s Facilities Department and will certainly keep Aaron busy for the entire Spring 2014 semester.
Aaron began his studies in the medical field at Texas Tech but switched paths and obtained a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After several career moves, Aaron discovered the Professional Science Masters of Environmental Management and Sustainability program (MEMS) here at St. Edward’s in the spring of 2013 and expects to graduate in December of 2015. Prior to enrolling in the program, Aaron volunteered at the Wild Basin Creative Research Center to map invasive species in order to effectively target their removal. In order to fulfill the MEMS research project requirement, he is currently working with fellow classmate Jamie Carpenter to study the health and integrity of a stream-based ecosystem located along Bee Creek watershed, which is within the Wild Basin region. Aaron was elected to the Student Advisory Council and is a representative on the Graduate Council to review changes and additions to the current curriculum. Aaron has also served as a graduate advisor on the Academic Appeals Committee and has participated in St. Edward’s Students for Sustainability.
This is the second sustainability assistant position that the university has created. The first one was Sustainability Graduate Assistant, currently filled by Thomas LaPoint within the Office of Sustainability. These positions have been created to further university’s efforts to become more sustainable.