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IU McKinney 2L Karisa Candreva is spending summer 2024 as a McKinney Climate Fellow through the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute. The Crown Point, Indiana, native is working as a policy intern at the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) in Chicago.

Candreva said she began thinking about law school after taking an environmental science class as a high school student. “It was the first time my eyes had opened to all of the environmental issues our world faces,” she said. “To me, pursuing a career in the legal field is a way I can do something about the environmental, economic, and social injustices that exist.” She graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor of science degree in natural resources and environmental management, including minors in sustainability, peace studies and conflict resolution, and international resource management.

IU McKinney was the natural choice for law school because of its graduate certificate in environmental and natural resources law. “I knew if I came to IU McKinney, I could receive a great education in environmental law considering the choice of elective courses, the faculty, and the accessibility to all of the legal professionals in Indianapolis,” Candreva said.

At the Environmental Law & Policy Center in Chicago, Candreva is working with two supervisors on four projects, all of which are based in the Midwest and vary between clean transportation, clean air and pollution, flooding and erosion, and land use. She plans to serve as an extern at the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) during the fall 2024 semester.

Candreva said her goal is to practice environmental and natural resources law after she completes her legal education. “I’m hoping my summer at the ELPC and my fall at HEC will help me figure out what exact area of environmental law I am most passionate about pursuing,” she said.

In the photo, Candreva is on Navy Pier with the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan in the background.