2026 Sustainability Interns
Meghna Borah
Social Media & Video Production Intern
Meghna Borah is a freshman from India intending to major in Business Economics and Environmental Studies. Growing up in Assam, she has always been connected to the natural environment and believes in using social media to make conversations around sustainability more accessible and engaging. She is excited to serve as the Social Media Intern for the Office of Sustainability and help highlight the people, initiatives, and everyday actions that contribute to a more sustainable Richmond community. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, creating content, and exploring new places
Ava Carpenter
Communications & Program Management Intern
Ava is a sophomore from Scarborough, Maine, planning to double major in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Growing up hiking, skiing, and exploring the woods, marshes, and beaches sparked her passion for sustainability and environmental advocacy. She is particularly interested in environmental law and policy and hopes to use her time in the Office for Sustainability to deepen her understanding of how community engagement can drive meaningful change. In her free time, Ava enjoys going for walks, cooking, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Amanda Cimillo
Eco-Corridor Maintenance Student Employee
Amanda is a senior Environmental Studies major who first became interested in sustainability as she grew up working on multiple farms. She loved being involved in the well-being of the animals and her surrounding environment. Amanda also loved learning more about the botanical side of sustainable farming. In addition to her studies, Amanda is a student athlete on the University of Richmond Field Hockey team, and in her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, and spending time outside.
Emery Elkinson
Tree Conservation & Lake Intern
Emery Elkinson is a senior from Lexington, KY double-majoring in environmental studies and geography with a Spanish minor. Her passion for the environment comes from early experiences exploring the outdoors with her family. Emery's interests in ecological restoration, urbanism, environmental justice, and community engagement guide her work as a sustainability intern. In her free time, Emery enjoys hiking, cooking, painting, reading, and spending time with friends.
Duncan Hall
Eco-Corridor Maintenance Student Employee
Duncan Hall is a junior from Milton, Massachusetts, studying Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and International Business and a minor in Sustainability. On campus at Richmond, Duncan works for the Center of Civic Engagement's PACE Program and has served as the treasurer for WDCE 90.1 FM Radio. Duncan is also the President of his fraternity and volunteers at the Greater Boston Food Bank. Most recently, he returned from studying abroad at the Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden, where he completed a project about Sweden's sustainability culture through sports. Duncan also enjoys watching movies, spending time outdoors, and engaging with sustainability-minded people.
Nidhi Karnik
Sustainability Planning & Strategy Intern
Nidhi is a sophomore from River Vale, New Jersey, and plans on majoring in Economics and Leadership Studies. She loves skiing and hiking, and these activities sparked her appreciation for the outdoors and interest in sustainability. In Spring 2025, she established a community garden and composting site in her home county, and she also advocates for environmental justice issues through her policy work with the Saving the Sea Organization and Southside ReLeaf. Outside of this, Nidhi loves playing instruments and working with kids.
Tal Sheleg
Sustainability Planning & Strategy Intern
Tal is a first-year from Leadville, Colorado (the highest incorporated town in the USA!). She plans to major in Geography and Business Administration, with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Her love of the outdoors came from amazing hiking and camping trips with her family across Alaska and Colorado, and from fun running adventures in the mountains with her friends. In high school, Tal transitioned her high school to solar panels and founded an environmental club that focuses on outdoor accessibility in her rural town. She loves running, knitting, reading, skiing, and hiking!
Claire Skinner
Eco-Corridor Support Intern
Claire is a freshman from Wake Forest, North Carolina, with an intended double major in environmental studies and geography and a strong interest in conservation biology and forestry. She has always been passionate about the environment, prioritizing time in the natural world and is interested in working to improve green space access for underserved communities. She is excited to work with the greater Richmond community as an Eco-corridor intern, improving food access and community engagement. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and playing ultimate frisbee and drumset.
Claire Wiley
Alumni Connection & Engagement Intern
Claire is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Business Administration and Sociology. She grew up moving around the country in a Navy family, which gave her an appreciation for different environments and communities, especially places near the water. She’s particularly interested in the connection between business and environmental responsibility and hopes to work in corporate sustainability after graduation. Outside of academics, Claire enjoys spending time along the James River, reading, watching movies, and being with friends.