Camera Stevens

Q: Hi, thanks for doing this! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: Hi! My name is Camera Stevens and I am a member of the Alma College Class of 2021. I am originally from South Point, Ohio, and came to Alma in order to study environmental science. I’m so glad that I did! I currently work as the outreach programs manager at Michigan Science Center, a museum in Detroit.

Q: How did Alma College prepare you for your role at the museum?

A: Alma prepared me for the professional world in so many ways, some of them obvious and others less so. Grant-writing is a big part of my job; the courses that I took with Dr. Amanda Harwood focused not just on science but how to communicate about science. I was really well suited for grant-writing because of those courses I took as an undergraduate. Dr. Harwood also gave me the responsibility of preparing the macroinvertebrates that we used in our studies, and passing those lessons onto younger students. It helped me understand that different people learn different ways.

Q: Did you have any meaningful outside-the-classroom experiences during your time at Alma?

A: Dr. Murray Borrello helped me to secure an internship at the Forest Hill Nature Area, which was an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge in informal education. It ended up being really good practice for what I’m doing right now. I also took part in Alternative Breaks and Spring Term, which were meaningful ways for me to step out of my comfort zone and make an impact outside of Michigan.

Q: What was your experience like in the environmental science program?

A: The first things that come to mind when I think of Alma College are the people. Dr. Borrello and Dr. Harwood helped me in so many ways. My research with Dr. Harwood, studying how road salt toxicity affected macroinvertebrates, was so meaningful. To have 1-on-1 time with a professor like her, who specifically took time out of her day to teach me to write better, is something I’ll appreciate for a very long time. I got to go out to the The Bog in one class, and that allowed me to improve as an informal educator.

Q: Would you recommend Alma College to others?

A: Absolutely. Alma forced me to step out of my comfort zone, which is what I needed at the time. It helped me a great deal to be the person I am today.

Learn more about environmental science at Alma College by visiting alma.edu.