Katherine Harpenau (BA ’25) says being in the Program in the Environment—a collaboration between the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and the College of Literature, Science and the Arts—allowed her the flexibility to advance in her degree while taking courses that encapsulated her interests.

We asked her five questions to learn more about her experience at U-M and her plans for the future.

What is your background?

I grew up traveling around the country with my family to visit national parks, so it felt like a natural progression to study environmental science in college. I later narrowed this interest to a love for botany and plant ecology, which is mostly what I study now. My PitE thesis research focuses on wetland plants and the ways they influence nutrient dynamics in their environment. I hope this work will help inform wetland restoration and conservation efforts, and my career interests are in these fields. 

Why PitE?

I chose a PitE major because it provided me with the interdisciplinary curriculum I was searching for at the University of Michigan. Before majoring in PitE, I knew I had a strong interest in the natural sciences, but I found myself seeking out courses rooted in the humanities and social sciences as well. A PitE major allowed me the flexibility to advance in my degree while taking courses that encapsulated my interests. I valued having a foundation in the natural sciences component of environmental science and still being able to branch out and explore the many subdisciplines of this subject. 

What has your experience at PitE been like?

The most worthwhile experience I participated in during my time in PitE has been the PitE Honors Program. This program introduced me to some of my closest friends and mentors and gave me the time and space to reflect on the subjects in environmental science that are of real interest to me. Many of the PitE activities I took part in throughout my time at the University of Michigan, from PitE Club to field courses, have in some way been related to the people I met and things I learned about myself in the program. 

Would you recommend PitE to incoming students?

I would recommend PitE to incoming students because of the wide-ranging resources the major offers. These resources proved to be especially helpful for me during transition periods in my life. Attending PitE social events was a great way to make friends and create a sense of community around me starting out in college. Still, now, PitE’s career resources are supporting me in transitioning out of undergrad and into the next phase of my life after graduation.

What will you do next?

After graduating, I plan to continue my education and research in botany and plant ecology with a wetland focus to eventually work in the landscape restoration and conservation fields.