Introduce yourself
My name is Lydia Dodson. I am a local to here; I was born and raised in Perry County, Ohio. I went to Ohio University for my undergrad. My undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology with a certificate specializing in environmental studies. It was the perfect transition for me because now I am a first-year Master of Science (MSES) student in the environmental studies program here at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. My expected graduation date is May 2025.
What is your area of research and what project are you currently working on?
My focus is on wetland ecosystems, and I am currently working with Dr. Sarah Davis here at the Voinovich School. We are looking at taking the septage waste from home septic systems here in Athens County and converting it into a renewable source of agricultural fertilizer.
What is the best leadership advice you have received?
The best piece of advice that I have received thus far in my college experience has been to know yourself and know your passions and what drives you and to follow that. Your education experience is really about what you want to get from it, and knowing yourself is going to get you exactly where you want to be in your future.
What do you like most about your program?
What I like most about the MSES program is that you get to meet people from all different walks of life. We have students from Tanzania, from the Gambia, from Kenya, from Ghana, and you get to meet all of those students and speak with them about their previous experiences in this field and their hopes for the future.
What are your future career goals?
In my future career, I hope to work as a field ecologist protecting the environment and conserving wetland areas.
Why was the Voinovich School the right choice for you?
The Voinovich School was the right choice for me because it allowed me to work with professionals in my field and to learn from them. Here up at the Voinovich School is a very close-knit community and everyone wants to see you succeed and they will do their absolute best to make sure that you do.