Hello, my name is Macy Christensen and I am a natural resources student in Minnesota! I have a member of the rainbow cohabitation club at my college and and activist for queer rights. During my time in our club I have seen how important it is for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to come together. Many of our members including myself found ways to empower one-another. The support that comes from a supportive group is essential for one’s feeling of belonging. Our club is small but mighty! I identify as a pansexual woman. My mother is non-binary and many of my friends are members of the LGBTQIA+ community! I am always willing to speak up for my friends, family, and strangers! I have attended many club events, pride events, and activist groups throughout my life. I have watched family members transition and truly find and love themselves. Seeing someone be true to themselves is one of the reasons I am proud to be an ally and member. Though our community faces hate frequently many of us do out part to lift each other up during hard times. This unity is the reason I would like to further my stance and support in the community. I hope to create an LGBTQIA+ craft group that will allow for creativity and acceptance. I also look to create a larger social media presence to share my perspectives and morals. I believe that some people can un-learn hate if they are approached in the right way. I feel comfortable in my opinions which is helpful when addressing someone that is not educated about our community. In a world that can be so unkind, I will choose kindness again and again. I love myself and the people that surround me. I believe that all of us deserve the same respect, opportunities, and love. My great-aunt transitioned from male to female during my childhood. During their time as a male, they faced addiction, anger, and depression that was visible to our family consistently. They had a realization and the outcome was astonishing. She transitioned and found peace. It was the first time I had saw her with a smile on her face. She had found her truth along with finding an amazing wife! This example of one’s person truth turning into a beautiful shift. Watching someone’s life and happiness take such a shift is one of the reasons I found a deep care and support for our LGBTQIA+ community! I hope my application finds you well, thank you for reading!

Hello, my name is Macy Christensen, and I am a natural resources student currently working towards an associates degree. Sustainability is a priority in my field of natural resources. Reducing environmental impacts will likely be my lifelong career. I have worked with wildlife, water, ecosystems, and other aspects of the environment during my time at Central Lakes College. I have had a deep passion and curiosity for nature throughout my life. I learned that there were opportunities to have a career in the environmental field. I knew I needed to learn more about these opportunities. Plant taxonomy was one of my favorite classes at CLC. I learned about the depth and science that works behind the scenes of the trees and animals we see day-to-day. Sustainability is something that I not only practice in my career, but I also make it a priority to practice sustainability in my personal life. I would like to introduce new ideas and passion into change for our community. I believe that appreciation leads to conservation. I would like to portray a message of positivity throughout my education and career. My mother is an employee of the department of natural resources and has provided me with a strong set of morals and goals. I have watched her find success in a natural resources career along with making positive changes on each landscape she works with. We share a connection to living sustainably which has fueled my choice to become a natural resources student. I hope to find a diverse skillset to use which will aid in my studies of ecosystems, ecology, and data in the upcoming years. Conservation and sustainability will be my focus throughout internships, temporary positions, and permanent positions. I am honest about my stance concerning environmental issues and hope to be a face of leadership in the professional eye. My life will be full of nature and education. I am fulfilled when I am able to help someone on their sustainability journey. I am proud to work along side many of the other students working towards a degree that will help provide humanity and earth find success and equilibrium. I would also make it a priority to find sustainable options while in school and work. Many research positions will require plastics and chemicals. I hope to find some options that will have a lighter impact on our environment. There are some materials that are provided to us that we will need to use for successful data collection and analysis. There will be opportunity to find gloves, containers, and substances that will have less of a negative impact. I hope to reach a point of financial stability so I can work towards a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. Taking care of our planet is my main priority. I hope my application finds you well, thank you for reading!