Analisa Akan’s passion for environmental justice was sparked by her experience growing up on the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago.
“Trinidad and Tobago is a Small Island Developing State, and these little islands face disproportionate effects from climate change,” she said. “Their geographic location makes them susceptible to increased storm activity and rising sea levels, which have been exacerbated by rising global CO2 emissions.”
A rising senior at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, Akan is launching her career in environmental justice law with a summer internship at P.E.E.R. Group, a nonprofit environmental law firm in Miami.
As an equitable development intern, Akan is focused on advancing green infrastructure initiatives in Miami-Dade County. She is currently interviewing residents to conduct research for a report that will be used to inform Miami-Dade County about developing equitable and sustainable stormwater management.
“The best part, I would say, is interacting with the communities that we are conducting research on,” said Akan, who is majoring in ecosystem science and policy. “I never realized it before, but I love speaking to people. I love having that community support.”
Akan said she has also enjoyed learning more about the legal field from her supervisor Theresa J. Pinto, a senior staff attorney and policy analyst at P.E.E.R. Group who is also a lecturer in the college’s Ecosystem Science and Policy program. “I think it’s going to be a really good head start for my career,” Akan said.
Akan doesn’t yet know what area of environmental law she wants to specialize in, but she’s sure that whatever she ends up doing, it will combine her interests in legacy advocacy, environmental science, and sustainable business.
“I want to be a voice for the voiceless, amplifying environmental justice concerns that often go unheard,” she said.
A front-row seat to national politics
Sephora Cremone, a rising senior double majoring in political science and public administration at the College of Arts and Sciences, is also turning her beliefs into action this summer. She is interning at the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, who represents Florida’s 21st Congressional District along the Treasure Coast.
Cremone first became interested in working for Mast while she was conducting research on how to improve water quality in the Miami River for her final in an urban politics class and learned about Mast’s efforts to improve water quality through the Harmful Algal Blooms Solutions Act. Although Cremone isn’t from Mast’s district—she grew up in Edison, New Jersey—she agrees with many of his political views and decided to contact his office to ask about internship opportunities.
“I wanted to branch out into politics, so I took a shot in the dark and contacted his team, applied for the internship, went through the interview process, and here I am,” she said.
As an intern, Cremone gives tours of the U.S. Capitol, takes phone calls from constituents, drafts letters, conducts legislative research, and attends committee hearings, including hearings of the Foreign Affairs Committee, where Mast serves as chairman.
“Being in the room for those high-level conversations shows you how much happens behind the scenes,” she said. “Seeing major players debate current events never gets old.”
One of the most challenging aspects of Cremone’s internship has been learning how to best engage with constituents when they call the congressman’s office.
“I take phone calls, both good and bad, helping constituents address their concerns and making sure their voices are heard,” she said.
After she graduates from the University, Cremone plans to go to law school. She’s not yet sure whether she wants to work in politics, but no matter what career path she takes, she now has a much deeper understanding of the political system.
“This internship has exposed me to a lot of different job opportunities in politics that I didn’t even know existed,” she said.
