WHY THE ASU MS ERM PROGRAM: I have been searching for a master’s program that can provide me with an integrated program of courses and a platform to enhance my knowledge for both public policy and water supply law. I believe an MS in the ERM program will provide me with that focus and forum based on my experience as an ASU research staff member, a review of the program’s coursework, and a discussion I had with the program’s Director, Larry Olson. MY PATH TO WATER: My career began as a mechanically oriented design engineer in an industrial research and development capacity. However, my path slowly shifted gears when I took a position at ASU, for the Chemistry Department in the early 1990’s as part of a research group focused on high pressure/high …show more content…
Fast forward again, now I am an environmental professional with ten years experience that began as a Hydrologist III, then a Project Manager and now as Program Manager for a municipal water department. This progression in responsibility led to where I am today and why I believe I am an excellent candidate for your graduate program. My responsibilities as an environmental regulator has been focused mainly on protecting both surface water and groundwater quality at both the State and local levels. The protection is afforded based on the federal requirements of the Clean Water Act, state law based on the Arizona Administrative Code Title 18 and municipal code if applicable. Recently, my focus has shifted to the growth of a municipal water portfolio and water conservation. My undergraduate degree was composed of two thematic areas, geological sciences and sustainability. The geological sciences to teach me how the earth and our environment works and sustainability because it focuses on the methodologies employed in managing resources for benefit of future generations. My choice to pursue the MS in the ERM program is driven by my desire to understand and excel in securing a sustainable water supply for sustaining the current population and allowing for municipal growth if the city has not reached its built-out condition and that supply must be both resilient and fiscally responsible to secure and