Stepping Stones from Rock Creek to the EPA

Growing up near Rock Creek park, Environmental Science & Technology (ENST) senior Anushka Tandon saw firsthand the effects that erosion and deforestation had on the ecosystem in her own backyard. Despite mounting environmental issues affecting our planet, Tandon turned her focus to the positive impact that individuals can make.
“I watched as a clear stream cutting through the woods by my house became a muddy creek, full of trash, brushing through eroded riverbanks,” Tandon said. “Watching this loss within the span of my childhood fueled my passion for the environment and led me to pursue studies in the environmental science field.” 

During her time at UMD, Tandon has transformed her passion into action, holding leadership positions in multiple campus environmental clubs including MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) and the ENST Restore.

But some of her most impactful work has been with the UMD Office of Sustainability, where she has taken on a variety of roles over her four years, starting with being a Sustainability Advisor as a freshmen, a position typically reserved for upperclassmen. Her eagerness to educate her peers helped her progress to roles as a Leadership Development intern, a SustainableUMD ambassador, and the chair of the Sustainability Fund review committee, where she approves campus environment projects for funding.

“Anushka is a natural leader who has brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability at UMD,” said Taylor Brinks, Sustainability Project Manager. “Throughout her time at UMD, she has been an absolute champion for sustainability, and she will leave behind a lasting legacy through her involvement in numerous roles and initiatives. I know she will continue to be a leader and advocate for sustainability efforts beyond the university in whatever comes next."

While Tandon has been inspired by her campus sustainability work, her hope was always to land a position working in the federal government. Thanks to her involvement with environmental issues at the university, a unique opportunity came to her.

“I was asked to participate in the EPA’s new emission-cutting standards for power plants and National Environmental Youth Advisory Council announcement last year about a week before the event,” Tandon said. “I didn’t know a whole lot other than they wanted me to say a few words and introduce EPA Administrator Michael Regan. I was as surprised as anybody when I was seated next to the Governor!”

Tandon’s involvement with the event helped open the door to an EPA internship at their DC headquarters this past summer, where she had the chance to contribute to the final stages of the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, a volunteer strategy that builds on the EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. While the experience provided Tandon invaluable insight in research and stakeholder feedback, it was the impact that individuals can make that struck a chord with her the most.

"The most important thing is to make environmental impacts tangible to the individual," said Tandon. "Some of the big picture topics can feel very far away and not connected to people. There is a lot of hopelessness going on and people feel like there's nothing they can do to change things. But there still is something that people can do and it starts with being aware and educated of your personal environmental impact, making changes where possible to minimize it.” 

by Andrew Muir : Momentum Magazine Winter 2025