September 2022

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Hey Eagles!

In this issue, get ready to dive into everything FGCU. Get some advice from students on how to get involved with various organizations on campus as well as getting to know some of this year’s Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship Runway Program winners. We also discuss the ever-growing issues of housing and even created a comic to represent the struggles students face when they can’t find parking. You can also get the scoop on the what’s coming up for FGCU athletics this semester. Read all about it and more in this issue of Eagle News.

See you next month!

Kind Regards,

Tori Foltz News Editor-in-Chief

ON THE COVER: Photo by Jessica Piland

Photo provided by Tori Foltzl

EAGLE NEWS

Table of ConTenTs

AUGUST 2022 · VOL 22

eaglenews.org

EAGLE MEDIA

EM Advisor

Justin Paprocki

Executive Editor

Riley Hazel

Business Director

Michael Patella

Graphics Editor

Gabriella Lopez

EAGLE NEWS

Editor-in-Chief Tori Foltz

News & Feature Editor Hayley Lemery

Opinion Editor Delinah Rosario

Sports Editor Nick Asselin

Photo Editor Jessica Piland

ENTV

Tori Pugliese

Assistant Director

Jakira Bryan

EAGLE RADIO

Station Manager

Keyshawn Frazier

High Rents and Full Capacity Housing By Alyssa Oquendo and Addyson McCullough

Ending Period Poverty

By Tori Foltz

Fall FGCU Athletics Excitment By Nick Asselin

FGCU’s Runway Program By Emma Rodriguez

Brighter Community of Culture and Diversity By Delinah Rosario

Brighter Community of Culture and Diversity By Delinah Rosario

You Are Not Alone By Gwendolyn Salata

Getting Involved Quotes compiled by Delinah Rosario

Paving the Way By Riley Hazel Comics By Alexandra Porter and Sam Romero

High Rents and Full Capacity Housing

Alyssa Oquendo and Addyson McCullough, Staff Writers

Students at FGCU have been experiencing a surge of high rent prices and struggles with campus housing overflow. The cost of living and full capacity housing is impacting students on and off campus.

For the fall 2022 semester, students who were put in overflow housing are residing in North Lake Village, with two to three people in one bedroom. Jaden Russell, a freshman, is currently living in overflow housing. He has five roommates and shares a single bedroom with two other people.

He says this kind of living situation poses many physical and mental struggles, such as sleeping arrangements, finding alone time, and staying in a good headspace among an uncertain situation.

“I’m 6 foot 3, getting into a bunk bed isn't an easy task. Waking up in the morning without cracking my skull open is considered a victory for the day,” Russell said. As for his mental health, Russell said he has hobbies and makes use of FGCU’s facilities to get into a good headspace daily.

With the lack of available housing and rent prices at a high price point, some students are moving back home to save money. Jessica Hattemer, a junior who previously lived in North Lake said, “my parents had told me it was easier to stay home.”

When asked about her thoughts on the rent prices she said, “cost for living has stressed me out and I wasn’t taking my chances.”

Due to rent prices, some students are turning to West Lake Village for housing. FGCU senior Tobey McCallister is living there and said, “it’s cheaper than my last place.” While the lower price point is appealing, he claims internet speeds are “atrocious.”

Students say another major issue with overcrowding is communication with the housing department. An

Photo by Jessica Piland

FGCU graduate, Becky Botsford, experienced lack of communication with housing when her and her roommates discovered they’d have two extra roommates for fall 2021.

They were planning on living in North Lake in a two bedroom quad apartment when they were notified roughly two weeks before moving in that they’d be a part of overflow housing.

Throughout the time their new roommates were there, they received little to no contact from housing and when they’d reach out, housing would “not be useful” when they inquired about moving to their own apartment.

Junior Steven Boxleitner has also had experience with housing’s lack of communication. Due to mistakes on financial aid’s end, Boxleitner missed the deadline for spring 2022 housing despite already turning in the necessary paperwork. He was left without a room and off campus housing was either full or a “broom closets for $2000+, which was far out of my price range.”

It wasn’t until Boxleitner called housing with his mother for them to move him up on the waitlist. He was then able to find housing for that semester.

Overflow housing and high rent can raise some concern amongst FGCU’s community. However, some students propose solutions such as having reduced rent options for those who are forced into overflow. Others feel the university should be more aware of the number of students they accept housing applications from. While not all living situations are ideal, they are temporary so there is hope despite the current discomfort of many.•

Ending Period Poverty One Station at a Time

Tori Foltz, Editor-in-Chief

If you have ever walked into the restrooms in Cohen or the gender-neutral bathroom in Osprey Hall, I’m sure you have noticed the menstrual product stations hung up on the walls. This initiative began to end period poverty at FGCU and has grown into so much more.

“With these dispensers being installed, I think it helps open up the conversation about periods. Periods are unavoidable for many people. Being able to have a conversation about how to be safe when having your period is very important, especially to those who may not get that conversation back home,” Senior Jillian Burke, Residence Life Team Assistant for Osprey Hall, said.

The initiative first began three years ago when former RA, RLTA, NRHH, Student Government (SG) member, and now alum, Tara Nichols, wished to pursue the establishment of menstrual product dispensers on main campus within SG. The first two stations on main campus were installed under the supervision of Alyssa Fleischer, FGCU’s 24th Student Body President. Nichols served as a director on Fleischer’s cabinet and during her administration two stations were installed; one in the women’s restroom on the first floor of the Cohen and the women’s bathroom on the first floor of the Lutgert College of Business. The third and most recent station was installed by Student Body President Grace Brannigan over the summer in the gender-neutral bathroom at Starbucks.

The dispensers are menstrual products are from the company Aunt Flow which is a woman-owned business that dedicates its resources to ensuring businesses and schools can sustainably provide free, quality period products which are made with organic cotton.

“Period poverty is a serious issue across the world,

and as a Student Government we have the power to address period poverty here on FGCU’s campus,” Grace Brannigan, Student Body President, said. “By ensuring that people who menstruate have access to free period products when they need them ensures that those people won’t be missing class or leaving campus because they are in need of a tampon or pad. The whole goal of the initiative is to remove as many barriers as possible between FGCU students and the classroom.”

Photo by Tori Foltz

There are menstrual product stations in the community centers in North Lake and West Lake as well as in the gender-neutral lobby bathrooms of all five South Village Residence Halls. These were installed in the time frame between 2020 and 2022. They are paid for and maintained by the Resident Housing Association in conjunction with the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

“You never know when your period will come, even if you feel you are the best at tracking it. The dispensers around housing relieve any worries in the students' minds if they forget to run to the store in time or don’t have the means to,” Burke said.

Dispensers on main campus can be found in the women’s restrooms on the first floor of the Cohen Student Union and the Lutgert College of Business. You will also see them in the gender-neutral bathroom

on the first floor of the library next to Starbucks. There are signs on or near all of the entrances to these restrooms denoting that a menstrual product station can be found there. Student Government maintains, refills, and monitors the menstrual product stations on main campus.

“I feel strongly about removing as many barriers as possible for students so that they can be successful in and outside of the classroom,” Brannigan said. “Period poverty is a real issue across the nation and across the world that keeps people who menstruate out of classrooms and workplaces. It's my goal to continue to expand the availability of menstrual products on campus." •

“Period poverty is a serious issue across the world, and as a Student Government we have the power to address period poverty here on FGCU’s campus,”

-Grace Brannigan, Student Body President

Fall Athletics Excitment

By Nick Asselin, Sports Editor

team. Despite no longer having their top player from last season, Kierstan Bell, Nestleroad isn’t concerned about how it will impact the team’s overall performance.

“I’ve seen this situation before where a player graduates or leaves and then new players come in,” Nestleroad said. “I think they’ll be able to figure it out. They’ve done it before. I think they’ll be really good.”

Nestleroad is also a volleyball fan and hopes to make it to several games this season. Last season the FGCU volleyball team won the ASUN championship and competed in the NCAA Tournament. FGCU won their first tournament matchup against Texas Tech but fell to eventual champion Wisconsin in the second round.

“I definitely want to go to as many games as I can,” Nestleroad said. “I’d love to go to some of the ASUN tournament games. I know those get really exciting.”

Through their first 9 games of the season, the volleyball team holds a 6-3 record. They’ll begin playing ASUN conference opponents on Sept. 23.

Fossella says he is also looking forward to attending FGCU soccer games this semester.

“I don’t know too much about the soccer team but I’m really looking forward to learning about them and seeing them play,” Fossella said.

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams have already begun their seasons this semester. The women’s team holds a record of 2-4 throughout their first 6 games but has yet to face their ASUN opponents. The men’s team holds a record of 3-0-1 in their first 4 games.•

Stay up to date with FGCU Athletics. All the schedules can be found on FGCUathletics.com.

FGCU’s Runway Program:its winners and its impact

By Emma Rodriguez, Staff Writer

Innovation and community are constant themes at FGCU. Our university is always looking to make an impact in our region, and in all areas of the game. The Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship is a main proponent of these efforts, by way of the Runway Program.

Within the past five years, FGCU’s Runway Program has helped ~400 student businesses begin operations. Participants can access resources necessary for growing a business, including media production equipment, professors to network with, and private workspaces. But, at the end of the program, students vie for the most valuable resource of them all: funding.

“At the end of the program, they have the opportunity to pitch in front of our investment committee, which is made up of members of the Tamiami Angel fund in Naples,” Program Manager Scott Kelly said. “They can pitch for anywhere between

$2,000 and $10,000 to get their business idea going.”

Kelly added that money received from the Runway Program is equity-free, meaning that members of the investment committee claim no ownership of the businesses they fund. Runway Program graduates can use their money however they wish. The funding is collected from community donors.

The most recent Runway Program cycle wrapped up at the beginning of August. There were 13 winners this semester. Jack Hellmer of UBYou is no stranger to pitching before the Runway Program’s investment committee. This cycle was his fourth time receiving funding. His total earnings amount to $32,800, garnered from the Spring of 2020 to now.

UBYou is an app used to improve the mental health of users. Users can access meditation, exercise, and affirmation videos. There are FGCU-specific elements of the app, which stem from its daily questionnaires. If the questionnaire reveals that a student is struggling with something specific, the app connects them to campus

photos courtesy of Jack Hellmer

resources that can help with the problem.

The app can work in conjunction with the user’s FGCU CAPS counselor. Through an informed consent form, counselors can view their clients’ UBYou app data, and can use it to tailor their services to better meet the client’s needs. The partnership between UBYou and CAPS was endorsed by FGCU’s President, Mike Martin, and is set to start this semester.

“I don’t believe that UBYou would’ve been created without the Runway Program,” Hellmer said. “They’re the ones that gave me the first initial funds to start, and as it grew, they still wanted to keep giving it funding!”

Hellmer has used his Runway Program earnings for various things throughout the development of UBYou. He’s needed to create the checking version of the app, hire talent to make instructional content for the app, and ensure HIPAA compliance. This cycle’s funds are yet another major help to UBYou.

“We received an additional $7,800 from the Runway Program the last time we pitched, and that was to pay off our remaining development costs as well as some of our additional costs,” Hellmer said. “We’ve gotten $32,800 from the Runway Program, but I also invested funds myself on top of that.”

Much like UBYou, the team of Fall 2022 Runway Program winner, Strive Hall, is using their funding to expand upon the base they built before receiving funding.

Strive Hall is a three-phase program to

help disadvantaged students, typically from the ages of 18-24, make the transition to adult life. It seeks to help participants develop a growth mindset, gain insight to the college experience, and learn to cope with negative situations and emotions through immersive learning.

“We do student centered learning, which focuses on the student as opposed to the teacher,” Davian Fajardo, a member of the Strive Hall team, said. “We get them up doing activities, especially making them speak amongst their peers and to us, because public speaking is the number one phobia. We're trying to get them comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Using money from the Runway Program, Strive Hall is making efforts to share their mission, and grow as a business. Fajardo cites the mentoring and networking opportunities his team received through the program as the greatest benefit of participating. Strive Hall is working to initiate these opportunities with its winnings.

“With that money, we hosted an event to try to bring awareness to Strive Hall, but we also wanted to create a networking hub for other Entrepreneurship students,” Fajardo said. “We’re also going to make skits on YouTube and a podcast, because we know a lot of our target audience is on social media, and also other foundations we can work with.”•

photo courtesy of Davian Fajardo

Spread: A Brighter Community of Culture and Diversity photo courtesy of Jessica Piland.

A Brighter Community

One thing that I learned from growing up in a Hispanic household is that culture is extremely important. Now I didn’t learn that in the traditional sense. My parents spoke Spanish when they didn’t want me to know what they were saying and I wasn’t surrounded by too many Latinx friends. That being said I wasn’t fully aware of how important culture truly is until I got older.

Coming to FGCU and joining the Multicultural and Leadership Development Center (MLD), I realized that my culture is a bigger part of my identity than I care to admit. When you lack that self-awareness you begin missing a piece of yourself that you didn’t know you needed. I am Puerto Rican, however, sometimes I don’t feel ‘Hispanic

enough’ because I don’t speak the language. I was born and raised here so I didn’t get to grow up in PR. I did, however, visit yearly until my grandpa passed when I was in 5th grade. Unfortunately, I haven’t been back since.

“Growing up and not speaking fluent Spanish caused me to struggle to connect with family members and friends that are fluent Spanish speakers,” Senior Sebastian Mercado said. “Learning the language helped me feel more confident in speaking Spanish. It’s a learning process and everyone I spoke with encouraged me to keep trying.”

The Latinx community comes in all shapes and sizes, and no one is the same. It doesn’t matter if you speak Spanish or if you don’t. You can have red

Photos Provided by Jessica Piland

Photos by Jessica Piland

of Culture & Diversity

By Delinah Rosario, Opinion Editor

hair, brown hair, brown eyes, or blue eyes; it doesn’t matter. What matters is the community, the culture and the influence. Sept.15 to Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a time for celebrating diversity and inclusivity. FGCU will be holding a multitude of events such as Noche de Culture and the Latinx Gala, in order to bring students together and represent different cultures in the community.

“I am really excited for Noche de Culture,” Senior Jules Bustamante said. “It is important for our culture to be exposed and for others to be able to learn about it. It also helps me meet other people that identify as Latinx here on campus and make genuine connections.”

FGCU has recently become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has promoted diversity on campus. During Hispanic Heritage month, Latin American students and staff are able to receive recognition and support where they may not have otherwise received it.

“I am truly excited for the future of FGCU as it is being promoted to an HSI because it will allow more Hispanic students to become attracted to the school and bring more diversity and culture on campus,” Junior Ana Rodriguez said. “Since we are surrounded by a high population of Hispanic/ Latinx it can encourage others to come to the school, ultimately expanding our demographics.”

Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions and demonstrated their

successes. Sept. 15 is also a significant date because it is the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries. During this month people can pay tribute to generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched our society.

“Hispanics have enriched our society through music, food, and even by teaching Americans the language of Spanish,” Freshman Ana Cruz said.

Being a Latina woman, I have dealt with many joys and challenges. I am proud of my culture and the older I get, the prouder I become. Knowing that just because I don’t fluently speak the language doesn’t mean I am any “less of a Hispanic.” When thinking about cultural enrichment and acceptance, we tend to think of diversity and bringing people together.

With a month like Hispanic Heritage Month, students and faculty alike can come together in support of one another while diving into their culture no matter how different. Someone can be from Argentina and someone can be from Mexico, it doesn’t make any one person greater. We are all a community and yes, we may have different upbringings and cultures, but we can connect with one another.

“Despite any differences in skin color, dialect, slang, or flag; the Hispanic communities have managed to unite millions of people into one big familia,” Senior Katherine Suero said.•

You Are Not Alone

Gwendolyn Salata, Staff Writer

Wi th Suicide Prevention Week falling in September, FGCU highlights its on-campus support for students.

The Collegiate Life Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CLASP) held its second annual Re-New YOU event on Sept. 20 to promote mental health and educate students about the resources available on campus. CLASP is a statewide initiative led by FGCU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

“Anxiety and stress are very prevalent in college students,” CAPS Outreach and Prevention Director, Dr. Julie Rego said. “They’re coming to campus and they’re in a major life transition.”

Rego said 12% of FGCU students currently use CAPS and that mental health conditions are common.

“People that come to CAPS don’t just come for disorders; people come here for stress too,” Rego said. “Sometimes you can just go have one session and that’s all you need.”

CAPS is the main source for on-campus support and therapy. It offers individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, and a therapy dog named Luna.

CAPS has recently partnered with Togetherall, a peer-to-peer online platform. According to its website, “Togetherall is a safe, online community to share feelings anonymously and get support to improve mental health and wellbeing,” and is

monitored by licensed mental health practitioners. Students can register with their FGCU email to access these services for free at www.togetherall.com. Prevention and Wellness Services (PWS) is another mental health resource available to FGCU students. Director of PWS, Nikki Kirdahy, said the department is there to teach coping skills to students.

“We are here to remove the barriers to student success,” Kirdahy said. “The top three things that students deal with on our FGCU campus are stress, anxiety and depression, and so I say this genuinely, you are not alone.”

Kirdahy tells students to “treat mental health as if it’s your physical health.” PWS offers wellness coaching and 30-minute personalized sessions with a peer that include setting goals. The department also has a fulltime, confidential victim advocate.

Another mental health resource available to FGCU students is resident assistants. Senior Rose Kast said all RAs are trained to help students. Kast is a third year RA and has put her best foot forward to assist her residents.

“I have a therapy couch, that’s what my residents call it,” Kast said. “I’ve had friends of my residents come to my therapy couch.”

To maintain mental health, focus on self-care. Physical activity is a powerful tool in reducing stress and anxiety and it also lifts the mood and enhances confidence. If you feel that someone is considering

suicide, Rego said to reach out to that person, listen and directly ask them if they are having suicidal ideations.

“Now, there’s a myth out there, like, ‘If I bring it up, it might put the idea into their head,’ but that is a myth,” Rego said. “It’s really about providing that support and being there for them.”

All FGCU mental health services are free for students and can be used with or without an appointment. CAPS is located on the third floor of the Student and Community Counseling Center and PWS is located in the Cohen Student Union.

For immediate help or if the offices are closed, FGCU has a 24/7 mental health hotline at 239-745-EARS. Also, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988.•

Photos by Julie Rigo

Students can register with their FGCU email to access these services for free at www.togetherall.com.

CAPS is the main source for on-campus support and therapy. It offers individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, and a therapy dog named Luna .

Getting Involved

By Delinah Rosario, Opinion Editor

Junior Evan Clemente

To get involved on campus is to find what you are passionate about. I would check out Eagle Link, where you can find over 250+ registered student organizations. You can filter the specific organizations you want to check out. I started by joining the Latin American Student Organization because one of my goals was to get in-tuned with my Hispanic culture and learn about other multicultural cultures out there. It then led me to opportunities such as joining a fraternity, serving my community, becoming an orientation leader and meeting new people. Ultimately, know your what, figure out what drives you and that will help you grow and create a bigger comfort zone because you never know where it can lead you to.

Senior Aaron Diaz

Since my first day at FGCU, I have been involved in so many club RSOs on campus. These include the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Incorporated (LUL), as well as Salseros.

The majority of my time is spent as President of LUL and LASO. Currently, we are planning upcoming events that bring fun and excitement- so stay tuned for what’s to come!

These are just a few of the many club RSOs that FGCU has to offer, what makes them special, however, is the cultural aspect each organization brings. That is what connects me to each organization, each has taught me something whether it be experience in leadership, culture, and/ or even traditions.

Sophomore Macy Noll

Don’t be shy! The professors and other students here want to help you get involved, and all it takes is reaching out to ask for that help! Visit your professor’s office hours, if only to get to know them. Exchange numbers with your classmates! Visit tabling events, informational sessions, and Eagle Link. The Honors college has been a great resource for me personally, and studying abroad with them was a life-changing experience I would recommend to anyone!

Sophomore Tatum Bates

Some things that I do at FGCU to get involved are to audition for shows in the theatre department and go to improv club every Wednesday! I always meet lots of new people and you don’t even have to be a theatre major to get involved! I know that FGCU also has lots of student events for both incoming freshman and current students. Students can enjoy game nights, bingo nights, trivia, etc. It seems like there’s an event every night of the week! Whether it’s a basketball game, a game night, or a theatre performance!

Senior Halle Scheinman

If you want to get involved on campus while also gaining several transferable skills, such as leadership and critical thinking, becoming a Resident Assistant (RA) is the way to go! Being an RA for FGCU’s Office of Housing and Residence Life has given me so many opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have had. Through this, I have been able to be a part of such a diverse community of people, help build a welcoming setting for my residents, and learn more about myself which results in my personal growth! If you want to be a part of something bigger on campus, being an RA will be the perfect fit!

Junior Mackenzie Barrett

On campus, there’s so much to do!! Between Programming Board events that happen on the library lawn and the many RSOs that you can join, there are lots of options. I’m a part of a campus ministry called Chi Alpha and it’s an awesome community of people. There’s also the Food Forest club that I go to whenever I have the chance that guides you through the nooks and crannies of the permaculture garden on campus called the Food Forest where students and community members alike can pick the seasonal flowers/ foods or contribute to the garden with other approved plants. Try everything that interests you and get involved! And if you don’t know where to start, look through the Eagle Link website list of all the RSOs!

Dr. Joanne Muller was promoted to a full-time professor in the fall, making her one of the first full-time, female professors in The Water School.

Dr. Joanne Muller grew up in Queensland, Australia tracking cyclones with her dad. She always dreamt of being a scientist when she was older. In 2011, her passion for storm hunting followed her to FGCU where she took a position as an assistant professor at The Water School.

This fall, Dr. Muller was internally promoted to a full-time professor, making her the first full-time, female professor in The Water School and The Marine and Earth Sciences Department, according to an Instagram post from the university.

“Science is going to be better with diversity, and women tackle things differently,” Dr. Muller said. “Having both men and women at the table working on issues of science, things like climate

Paving the Way

Riley ExecutiveHazel,Editor

change, I think that's absolutely crucial. It's also an issue of like environmental justice.”

Amanda Lewan, a 2021 FGCU Marine Sciences graduate, was a student in several of Dr. Muller’s classes.

“Women in STEM, in general, are directly correlated to climate change mitigation,” Lewan said. “Dr. Muller touched on that in one of her classes I was in. By opening up space for women, a lot more emphasis can be placed on life planning, and it literally doubles the amount of people who may have been interested in research prior.”

49.2% of women who originally intend to major in science and engineering as first-year students switch to a non-STEM major, compared to 32.5% of men, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.

At FGCU, faculty are working to beat those numbers. The FGCU STEM Academy, established

Dr. Joanne Muller makes history as The Water School’s first full-time, female Professor.

in 2016, improves students' prospects by exposing them to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Obviously, staying in science as a woman is really important, and I'm going to be honest, it's not been easy,” Dr. Muller said. “There's been a lot of time periods during my career where I've thought about quitting.”

This fall, Dr. Muller teaches four different classes: Meteorology and Climatology, Current Topics in Southwest FL and Climate Change, Physical Geology, and Special Topics in Meteorology and Climatology.

Dr. Muller received her undergrad from the University of Technology Sydney and her master’s degree from James Cook University. She then spent half of her time at James Cook University and The Imperial College in London for her doctorate degree.

“I think she’s extremely approachable at any position within the faculty, and she’s always interested in hearing what people are working on and giving advice,” Lewan said.

As she enters a high-ranked role at the university, Dr. Muller hopes to make a change with her work.

“I find the students at FGCU to be extremely warm and generous with their time and really nice,” Dr. Muller said. “The department I'm in–it's just really special. I think there's not a single person that isn't wonderful. We're all a bunch of

academics, so we're all a bunch of weirdos but everyone is just super kind.”

Lili Barba graduated from FGCU in May with a degree in marine science and a double minor in climate change and geology. She took a class specializing in meteorology and climatology with Dr. Muller during her time at FGCU.

“She has always been super supportive of me and her other students and is someone who puts in a lot of care and love to her work,” Barba said. “I’m so glad I was able to learn from her during my time at FGCU, and I know she’ll continue to make that same impact on her students in the future.”

Barbara is now following in Dr. Muller’s footsteps and attending her alma mater, James Cook University as a graduate student.

“I think one of the main things that I've tried to do is just not quit and stay in the job so that women that are younger than me or more junior in their careers have at least someone to look at,” Dr. Muller said.

Dr. Muller identifies as a paleoclimatologist and studies past climate change and climate cycles. She is continuing her work with her dad as she still tracks storms, just ones that occurred in the past.

Currently, she is working with a group in London to analyze prehistoric hurricanes and transform the data to predict how future storms will impact the surrounding communities. •

Photos by Jessica Piland

By Alexandra Porter

By Sam Romero

See you Next Issue!

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