LevelTen Energy is proud to welcome our 2024 Energy Scholars! The program is designed to address inequality in the clean energy industry by equipping students from underrepresented backgrounds with the education, mentorship, and networking they need to land jobs once they graduate.
From June 25 to August 16, our Scholars will attend educational sessions with LevelTen Energy and our partners. In addition, each Scholar will be connected with a mentor and provided with networking opportunities to meet people in the clean energy industry. During their time in the program, they’ll receive free housing through the University of Washington, as well as travel accommodations and paid internships that include real-world projects designed to boost their resume and experience.
In our Student Spotlights series, get to know this week's Scholars and be sure to add them to your LinkedIn network:
Anne Mai | Connect with Anne on LinkedIn
What's your name, school, major, and graduating year?
Hello! My name is Anne Mai and I’m studying Computer Science at San Jose State University. I’ll be graduating in May of 2025.
Tell me about you. What's your elevator pitch in two sentences?
I’m a passionate student motivated to mentor and support others in the most impactful way I can. I have various technical experiences in the realm of computer science such as winning hackathons and internship experience as well as leadership roles in my club Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers or as a mentor in Peer Connections. With the cultivated experiences I have, I strive to make a supportive and driven community centered around renewable energy!
Why are you passionate about sustainability and renewable energy?
As society progresses, there’s this pressing need for change as our environment’s health is declining. I love this renewable energy and sustainability focused space, because I’m able to make a meaningful impact towards the future I want to live in. I want to create a world I’m proud to call home!
What's your favorite project you've worked on so far as a student? How does this project demonstrate how you think and what you bring to a team?
My favorite project to work on was, Shustainable, a sustainability driven food platform addressing food waste through mindful consumerism. We created this project for an idea-a-thon and our solution was made to help people navigate which food restaurants they should be supporting based on their food waste practices. It was delightful to work on this because my peers and I were able to put all of our ideas and computer science experience together to create a prototype. This was the first time I learned about product design and the efforts it takes to develop a product, project manage, and pitch our solution. It genuinely allowed me to practice leadership, communication, and humility and with our combined efforts we won 3rd place. With this experience, I gained a foundation in what collaborative leadership can achieve.
What's the best advice you've heard, and what's the best advice you've given?
“Don’t attribute to malice what you can attribute ignorance”, it helped me understand people in a different light. When I was able to simply give more grace to others, in a way it gave me more peace of mind.
“Time is a choice”. Every moment of the day you’re constantly making choices whether or not you’re conscious of it. If that’s the case, having this mindfulness you can live your life the way you want or the way someone else set out for you. It’s your choice.
Roya Mansour | Connect with Roya on LinkedIn
What's your name, school, major, and graduating year?
Hello! My name is Roya Mansour. I am a part of the Johns Hopkins University class of 2027, studying Materials Science & Engineering.
Tell me about you. What's your elevator pitch in two sentences?
I am a second-generation Middle Eastern American, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. I am an oldest sibling, passionate about family, traveling, and climate change mitigation.
Why are you passionate about sustainability and renewable energy?
Growing up in Seattle, I've always been immersed in lush forests and pristine waters. As a child, I took the clean air and temperate weather for granted. However, after visiting family in Egypt for the first time, I began to understand the polar opposite environment in which my cousins are growing up. Water pollution, smog, dry heat... My eyes opened to how differently climate change impacts developing countries and underserved communities. I hope to bring my materials science and engineering background to the renewable energy field to make an impact across the world.
What's your favorite project you've worked on so far as a student? How does this project demonstrate how you think and what you bring to a team?
One of my favorite projects thus far in college was through one of my research projects on carbon sequestration. To determine whether a reaction was feasible, I, with a peer, was responsible for calculating its thermodynamic favorability across a wide range of temperatures. I partnered with my classmate to develop a methodical approach to complete our project, and I presented our findings to the research group. I was excited to apply concepts I had learned in the classroom to the important issue of carbon emissions. I had a sense of accomplishment in this the project because I directly contributed to an incremental step forward in combatting climate change.
What's the best advice you've heard, and what's the best advice you've given?
The best advice I've been given is, "Put your best foot forward." The best advice I've given is, "Life is short, keep the bigger picture in mind." I think we often get lost in the small conflicts in our everyday lives. By wasting less time on the negative, I believe everyone's quality of life could increase.
Nataly Mayison | Connect with Nataly on LinkedIn
What's your name, school, major, and graduating year?
My name is Nataly Mayison from Nairobi, Kenya. I am an Engineering student at Harvey Mudd College, graduating in December 2026.
Tell me about you. What's your elevator pitch in two sentences?
I'm Nataly Mayison, a student deeply interested in sustainability and automotive technology. I worked on projects focused on vehicle systems like cooling, steering, braking, and suspension. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my current skills and ongoing learning to play a significant role in advancing innovation towards lower emissions in our future world.
Why are you passionate about sustainability and renewable energy?
Growing up in a region where sustainability and renewable energy isn’t prevalent, I've developed a deep passion for these fields. Learning extensively about renewables has shifted my perspective on the future. Having had the opportunity to acquire this knowledge, I am eager to promote and educate others about sustainability and renewable energy in my home country.
What's your favorite project you've worked on so far as a student? How does this project demonstrate how you think and what you bring to a team?
I had a positive experience collaborating with Audio-Technica, a Japanese company, focusing on enhancing the durability and functionality of their earbuds. This project taught me the importance of patience and adaptability when navigating through extensive information and overcoming challenges, which ultimately fostered my creativity. Within teams, I contribute positivity and strong organizational skills, which I consider crucial for team success.
What food reminds you of home?
Smocha, it's a Chapati with a Kenyan type of Sausage, Kenyan Pico and tomato sauce. It is so good!
Param Nayar | Connect with Param on LinkedIn
What's your name, school, major, and graduating year?
Hi I’m everyone! I’m Param Nayar. I’m an international student at the University of Michigan studying Industrial and Operations Engineering, with a minor in Sustainable Engineering!
Tell me about you. What's your elevator pitch in two sentences?
I aspire to build interdisciplinary networks of people and technology to combat climate challenges. The climate challenge is one that needs storytellers just as much as engineers, artists just as much as activists. Let’s tell some stories and build our way out of this crisis!
Why are you passionate about sustainability and renewable energy?
Growing up in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, water crisis was a real and ever present challenge which served as my introduction to climate change and the importance of resilient systems. Renewable energy promises an area of immense potential growth and also a way to scale individual impact when it comes to sustainability, and is one that immensely excites me!
What's your favorite project you've worked on so far as a student? How does this project demonstrate how you think and what you bring to a team?
Zero Waste is a concept that’s often overlooked as unreasonable in today’s age of consumption. This project challenged this misconception by providing the UMich college community with resources and actionable targets that enable them to consciously reduce their waste production. More importantly, this project built a community of people who worked together to advocate for systemic changes to end our destructive consumption.
What's the best advice you've heard, and what's the best advice you've given?
Be humble. In my opinion humility is one of the most powerful qualities a person can have. Knowing deep down that you are qualified or accomplished, but not feeling the need to boast is a true sign of a strong person in my opinion. Being arrogant shows insecurity and a need for approval so my best advice is to stay humble no matter what because everything you have can be taken away from you.
Thank you to our sponsors
The Energy Scholars program would not be possible without our partners and sponsors, which include Clearway Energy, Energy GPS, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc., Google, GridStor, Microsoft, SB Energy, and University of Washington. We’d like to thank them for their support! If any organizations would like to support the program as a sponsor, please reach out to Kirsten.Rota@LevelTenEnergy.com.
