Jayson Velazquez

Professional Experience: Graduate Research Fellow for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative at Yale School of the Environment

Location: New Haven, CT

Hometown: Paterson, NJ

Degrees: Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability with a Specialization in Community Development (EEDS). Masters of Environment from Yale University.

OSU Involvement: Student Ambassador for the School of Environment and Natural Resources; Morrill Scholars Program-Student Advisory Council and BuckeyeThon Team Leader; Net Impact OSU Undergraduate Chapter Member

Favorite Quote: "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jayson is extremely passionate about understanding and implementing solutions to combat urban environmental injustices that disproportionately impact lower-income communities of color. He has begun this process by interning with City Green Inc., a non-profit organization that aims to revitalize urban areas through agriculture and educational programming surrounding local food insecurity in his hometown. Jayson aims to enhance his interdisciplinary skills by gaining knowledge of environmental policies that prohibit economic and community development. He also seeks to further his education by pursuing a master’s degree in Urban Environmental Studies and a JD in Environmental Law. In alignment with Jayson’s professional goals, he will use his participation in the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) to fund a city-wide environmental education initiative to share his Ohio State experiences with his hometown. This program will invite the public and city officials to learn more about using environmental sustainability as a key component in purposeful environmental, social, and economic development. Beyond the classroom, Jayson is an avid New York sports fan and enjoys playing the tenor saxophone, ukulele, and attending musical theatre productions.