Theta Alpha Psi

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The University of Michigan's Co-Ed Professional Sustainability Fraternity

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Welcome to Theta Alpha Psi!

The University of Michigan's first co-ed professional sustainability fraternity.

The mission of Theta Alpha Psi (TAP) is to educate and connect University of Michigan undergraduates passionate about social and environmental sustainability through engaging in education, professional development, social bonding, and activism.

This semester, our community engagement team has worked hard to organize many events within the Ann Arbor community and on campus! These events included river clean-ups, hosting tables at festivals, partnerships with other campus orgs, and more!

Our taplings worked on a semester-long project with the AAPS Freeman Outdoor Environmental Education Center & raised money for new library books. Along with this, taplings refreshed & cleaned the bookshelves!

Thank you to our community engagement team for their hard work. We can’t wait to continue with these events into the new year!

This semester, our community engagement team has worked hard to organize many events within the Ann Arbor community and on campus! These events included river clean-ups, hosting tables at festivals, partnerships with other campus orgs, and more!

Our taplings worked on a semester-long project with the AAPS Freeman Outdoor Environmental Education Center & raised money for new library books. Along with this, taplings refreshed & cleaned the bookshelves!

Thank you to our community engagement team for their hard work. We can’t wait to continue with these events into the new year!

Humans of TAP: Joe Clynes

“I was born near Brattleboro, Vermont, where I lived until I was 6. Since then, I have returned whenever possible to reconnect with nature and my life there. When I left Brattleboro, I moved to Ann Arbor, where I’ve been ever since. Growing up there and returning for many weeks throughout the year, I was raised in nature. After moving, it became clear that nature wasn’t as common as I had once believed it to be. As I grew older, I realized that real nature was not only not as prevalent as I had once believed, but it was quickly depleting, and Vermont held a different environment than many other places in the U.S. and the world. I fell in love with being outside and have been motivated to work to preserve the world to the best of my ability.

I remember one time in particular in Guatemala with my brother and my dad, hiking up a volcano called, ‘El Fuego.’ Out of breath and worried about my next step, my head was down and I was concentrated on the hike. My brother reminded me to pick my head up and look around because, as he put it, the view was ‘otherworldly.’ Upon looking up, it truly was. A full 360-degree view of the Sierra Madre mountains, with this volcano perching right above them. Taking a few breaths to look around, I was fully enamored with the sights. I wished I could have stood there for the rest of my life, taking it all in. Although just one experience of many, I think of this as one moment where my passion for the environment came from”

Humans of TAP: Joe Clynes

“I was born near Brattleboro, Vermont, where I lived until I was 6. Since then, I have returned whenever possible to reconnect with nature and my life there. When I left Brattleboro, I moved to Ann Arbor, where I’ve been ever since. Growing up there and returning for many weeks throughout the year, I was raised in nature. After moving, it became clear that nature wasn’t as common as I had once believed it to be. As I grew older, I realized that real nature was not only not as prevalent as I had once believed, but it was quickly depleting, and Vermont held a different environment than many other places in the U.S. and the world. I fell in love with being outside and have been motivated to work to preserve the world to the best of my ability.

I remember one time in particular in Guatemala with my brother and my dad, hiking up a volcano called, ‘El Fuego.’ Out of breath and worried about my next step, my head was down and I was concentrated on the hike. My brother reminded me to pick my head up and look around because, as he put it, the view was ‘otherworldly.’ Upon looking up, it truly was. A full 360-degree view of the Sierra Madre mountains, with this volcano perching right above them. Taking a few breaths to look around, I was fully enamored with the sights. I wished I could have stood there for the rest of my life, taking it all in. Although just one experience of many, I think of this as one moment where my passion for the environment came from”

Humans of TAP: Aria Sengupta

“When I was a sophomore in high school, I took an eco art class. At the beginning I was just taking this class for credits but it proved a little more challenging than I had anticipated. One of our projects was called “Trashion”. We were tasked with making a stylistic piece out of trash or things that we would have normally thrown away.

I was not excited about this project at all. My artistic abilities proved to be limited from my previous project which was a butterfly made out of twigs, flowers, and lemons from my tree. His name was Buford. Yet after two weeks of learning how to sew, looking for trash in my house, and a slight manic episode later I completed the skirt made out of old urban outfitters bags.

Now it doesn’t sound like this class would be very useful in the long run but I realized it wasn’t just assigning random projects that fall under the category of “eco-friendly art” she was trying to show us that there is beauty all around us we just have to use a little creativity to find it. I realized that something great can be created out of anything, this class inspired me to create great things out of not so great situations. It gave me a new perspective on how to live more sustainably by reusing items people might think lacks a purpose as is”

Humans of TAP: Aria Sengupta

“When I was a sophomore in high school, I took an eco art class. At the beginning I was just taking this class for credits but it proved a little more challenging than I had anticipated. One of our projects was called “Trashion”. We were tasked with making a stylistic piece out of trash or things that we would have normally thrown away.

I was not excited about this project at all. My artistic abilities proved to be limited from my previous project which was a butterfly made out of twigs, flowers, and lemons from my tree. His name was Buford. Yet after two weeks of learning how to sew, looking for trash in my house, and a slight manic episode later I completed the skirt made out of old urban outfitters bags.

Now it doesn’t sound like this class would be very useful in the long run but I realized it wasn’t just assigning random projects that fall under the category of “eco-friendly art” she was trying to show us that there is beauty all around us we just have to use a little creativity to find it. I realized that something great can be created out of anything, this class inspired me to create great things out of not so great situations. It gave me a new perspective on how to live more sustainably by reusing items people might think lacks a purpose as is”

TAP Presents… WHO IS TAP?
An Insight into Who We Are & What We Represent!
☀️🌱🌎🤝🏕️

TAP Presents… WHO IS TAP?
An Insight into Who We Are & What We Represent!
☀️🌱🌎🤝🏕️

Humans of TAP: Connor Mitzel

“Last summer, I got into birdwatching. While it isn’t quite as exciting as some other hobbies, it has brought enrichment into my life in ways I never expected. Some people think that birdwatching is about using binoculars to peer into the trees, searching for a new bird to add to a list. Others think this activity consists of walking through a park with bird seed, feeding all the pigeons and sparrows. In my experience, it’s even less action-packed than that. Birds are hardly ever active when I search for them. I’m not sure if it’s because they can tell a human is there, or if I always go at the wrong times. Maybe they’re all on their lunch break; I’m no expert.

Birdwatching is a display of patience rather than talent. In order to hear the mellifluous ballad of a Hermit Thrush, I have to sit in silence, waiting for a sign of life from the trees. Sometimes I wait awhile; sometimes I don’t have to. Even when I know I’m in the right habitat, I don’t always hear or see the bird I was expecting. It’s a sort of mystery and anticipation that brings me a great deal of pleasure. Maybe I’m on a hike looking for a Bald Eagle, but instead I spot some cute little Olive-sided Flycatchers (a personal favorite) up on the end of a dead tree. Nature is so much bigger than myself, and I love when birdwatching reminds me that earth always has a little trick up its sleeve.

While I wait in silence for birds, I begin to notice things that I had always been too rushed to notice. From the beaver bites in tree bark to the dried up leaves decomposing into the soil, interactions between different systems in nature are all around me in a complex, interconnected fashion. That same principle goes for interactions between humans, businesses, and the environment. Sustainability encompasses those interactions, and I want to dedicate my life and career toward creating harmony between the natural world and the business world”

Humans of TAP: Connor Mitzel

“Last summer, I got into birdwatching. While it isn’t quite as exciting as some other hobbies, it has brought enrichment into my life in ways I never expected. Some people think that birdwatching is about using binoculars to peer into the trees, searching for a new bird to add to a list. Others think this activity consists of walking through a park with bird seed, feeding all the pigeons and sparrows. In my experience, it’s even less action-packed than that. Birds are hardly ever active when I search for them. I’m not sure if it’s because they can tell a human is there, or if I always go at the wrong times. Maybe they’re all on their lunch break; I’m no expert.

Birdwatching is a display of patience rather than talent. In order to hear the mellifluous ballad of a Hermit Thrush, I have to sit in silence, waiting for a sign of life from the trees. Sometimes I wait awhile; sometimes I don’t have to. Even when I know I’m in the right habitat, I don’t always hear or see the bird I was expecting. It’s a sort of mystery and anticipation that brings me a great deal of pleasure. Maybe I’m on a hike looking for a Bald Eagle, but instead I spot some cute little Olive-sided Flycatchers (a personal favorite) up on the end of a dead tree. Nature is so much bigger than myself, and I love when birdwatching reminds me that earth always has a little trick up its sleeve.

While I wait in silence for birds, I begin to notice things that I had always been too rushed to notice. From the beaver bites in tree bark to the dried up leaves decomposing into the soil, interactions between different systems in nature are all around me in a complex, interconnected fashion. That same principle goes for interactions between humans, businesses, and the environment. Sustainability encompasses those interactions, and I want to dedicate my life and career toward creating harmony between the natural world and the business world”

Humans of TAP: Dhanya Kolisetti

“Since first grade, my 15-minute bus ride to school in Bangalore, India, was my unfiltered lens into reality.
A reality with cows that would bask on the streets, motorbikes in and out of traffic, road sellers, and their
miniature markets. In this reality, something stuck out. While the same roadsellers and domestic animals
came every morning, plastic bags and trash continued to exponentially overflow past just sewers,
bleeding into the grasslands of this beautiful city.

It was interesting because in class the chapter on ‘land pollution’ was only a theory to me, yet, seeing the
tangibility of the science is what struck my interest. I hated that I saw people harming the environment,
but I didn’t know how I could make a change. The transformation of theory into practicality became clear
when I began my first internship at Karo Sambhav which allowed me to understand how to make data
accessible to conclude current campaigns through circular economy analysis.

Following my first practical experience, there was a sense of adrenaline that began to be associated with
the thought of being a pillar in the notion of change. This ‘rush’ translated into working with companies on
impact investing, advocacy through the educational sphere of environmental science, and in-depth
research on the water movement in my community and methods of improving sustainability. These
experiences taught me that the most impactful environmental work often starts with observing and
addressing issues in one’s immediate surroundings.

Inspired by the tangibility of science, I hope to continue my pathway toward environmental change by
being a part of organizations like TAP and pursuing a degree in Earth and Environmental Science along
with PITE to build this foundation”

Humans of TAP: Dhanya Kolisetti

“Since first grade, my 15-minute bus ride to school in Bangalore, India, was my unfiltered lens into reality.
A reality with cows that would bask on the streets, motorbikes in and out of traffic, road sellers, and their
miniature markets. In this reality, something stuck out. While the same roadsellers and domestic animals
came every morning, plastic bags and trash continued to exponentially overflow past just sewers,
bleeding into the grasslands of this beautiful city.

It was interesting because in class the chapter on ‘land pollution’ was only a theory to me, yet, seeing the
tangibility of the science is what struck my interest. I hated that I saw people harming the environment,
but I didn’t know how I could make a change. The transformation of theory into practicality became clear
when I began my first internship at Karo Sambhav which allowed me to understand how to make data
accessible to conclude current campaigns through circular economy analysis.

Following my first practical experience, there was a sense of adrenaline that began to be associated with
the thought of being a pillar in the notion of change. This ‘rush’ translated into working with companies on
impact investing, advocacy through the educational sphere of environmental science, and in-depth
research on the water movement in my community and methods of improving sustainability. These
experiences taught me that the most impactful environmental work often starts with observing and
addressing issues in one’s immediate surroundings.

Inspired by the tangibility of science, I hope to continue my pathway toward environmental change by
being a part of organizations like TAP and pursuing a degree in Earth and Environmental Science along
with PITE to build this foundation”

Humans of TAP: Amy McKiernan

“I was fortunate enough to spend most of my summers in the Irish countryside. Some of my fondest childhood memories are filled with running around the same fields my mother did years prior, spending hours catching up with my cousins on the hay bales in the backyard. Hikes with my granny through the local forest park were another focal point of my experience, facilitating many missed conversations of family stories. While my summers mainly consisted of exploring my family’s farms in the Midland region, the highlights of my trips were always discovering the wonders of the country’s coast. I still have yet to see a natural landscape that rivals the beauty of the Giant’s Causeway.

I haven’t been back to Ireland since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. I long to go back to visit my family and rekindle relationships that are difficult to keep over the phone. I recently realized, though, that my pining for Ireland is deeper than my familial connections. The land fostered my long standing connection to the environment and served as a backdrop for so many of my cherished memories. It kickstarted my love for the outdoors and opened my ears to the detriments of the changing environment. I can confidently connect my passion for sustainability to my childhood summers spent in Ireland, a place I hold dear to my heart”

Humans of TAP: Amy McKiernan

“I was fortunate enough to spend most of my summers in the Irish countryside. Some of my fondest childhood memories are filled with running around the same fields my mother did years prior, spending hours catching up with my cousins on the hay bales in the backyard. Hikes with my granny through the local forest park were another focal point of my experience, facilitating many missed conversations of family stories. While my summers mainly consisted of exploring my family’s farms in the Midland region, the highlights of my trips were always discovering the wonders of the country’s coast. I still have yet to see a natural landscape that rivals the beauty of the Giant’s Causeway.

I haven’t been back to Ireland since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. I long to go back to visit my family and rekindle relationships that are difficult to keep over the phone. I recently realized, though, that my pining for Ireland is deeper than my familial connections. The land fostered my long standing connection to the environment and served as a backdrop for so many of my cherished memories. It kickstarted my love for the outdoors and opened my ears to the detriments of the changing environment. I can confidently connect my passion for sustainability to my childhood summers spent in Ireland, a place I hold dear to my heart”

Humans of TAP: Scarlett Butters

“Every rainy day when I was younger would consist of my mom bringing me and my 3 siblings to the movies. We were definitely our local AMC Theater’s best customers and, as a result, we all became movie fanatics. We could quote nearly every Disney movie, addicted to their happy endings.

But everything changed when I was a freshman in high school. Our movie outings continued, but this time my mom insisted we see a documentary, “A Life on Our Planet” by David Attenborough. This story didn’t feel like it had a happy ending. I felt anxious that our planet was being destroyed, I felt guilty that I was contributing to it, but, most importantly, I felt urged to make a difference.

Eager to take action, I joined a local environmental organization, collaborating with the team to organize events that promoted awareness. This newfound passion guided my college search, leading me to prioritize schools with strong environmental programs dedicated to making a real impact. Joining TAP has further fueled my commitment to environmental action, while also connecting me with such genuine people”

Humans of TAP: Scarlett Butters

“Every rainy day when I was younger would consist of my mom bringing me and my 3 siblings to the movies. We were definitely our local AMC Theater’s best customers and, as a result, we all became movie fanatics. We could quote nearly every Disney movie, addicted to their happy endings.

But everything changed when I was a freshman in high school. Our movie outings continued, but this time my mom insisted we see a documentary, “A Life on Our Planet” by David Attenborough. This story didn’t feel like it had a happy ending. I felt anxious that our planet was being destroyed, I felt guilty that I was contributing to it, but, most importantly, I felt urged to make a difference.

Eager to take action, I joined a local environmental organization, collaborating with the team to organize events that promoted awareness. This newfound passion guided my college search, leading me to prioritize schools with strong environmental programs dedicated to making a real impact. Joining TAP has further fueled my commitment to environmental action, while also connecting me with such genuine people”

Tapmates & taplings enjoyed a night of camping earlier this month! We love this tradition, and we can’t think of a better way to welcome our newest tapling class to our TAP family!! It is a great opportunity to share our love of the outdoors and spend time together! 🏕️🌲🌅

Tapmates & taplings enjoyed a night of camping earlier this month! We love this tradition, and we can’t think of a better way to welcome our newest tapling class to our TAP family!! It is a great opportunity to share our love of the outdoors and spend time together! 🏕️🌲🌅

Humans of TAP: Gabrielle Kiminyo

“Ever since I was little, I’ve been interested in nature and animals. I loved feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and the coolness of the grass on my feet. I live in a rural area so my house is surrounded by woods, canals, and rural areas that are extensions of the Florida Everglades. My whole childhood I would see deer, beavers, gators, bunnies, and vultures roaming my neighborhood and often in my backyard. There was even one time wild hogs showed up to my birthday party. Being surrounded by diverse ecosystems and wildlife made me interested in wildlife conservation and sustainability.

Also, my family has been blessed to travel to many places outside of the US, so I have always been fascinated with the beauty and biodiversity of other countries. This picture is from a trip my family took to Brazil last summer where we explored The Tijuca Forest National Park.

As I learned more about the challenges facing biodiversity—habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution—I felt a growing sense of responsibility. My love for animals transformed into a desire to protect their habitats and promote sustainable practices. This shift in perspective led me to pursue a career in sustainability, where I could combine my passion for nature with meaningful action.

Specifically as a woman of color I want to protect marginalized communities that face environmental injustices. I am currently learning Swahili, so I hope to focus my studies in East Africa and work as an international environmental lawyer combating resource exploitation and the effects of climate change”

Humans of TAP: Gabrielle Kiminyo

“Ever since I was little, I’ve been interested in nature and animals. I loved feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and the coolness of the grass on my feet. I live in a rural area so my house is surrounded by woods, canals, and rural areas that are extensions of the Florida Everglades. My whole childhood I would see deer, beavers, gators, bunnies, and vultures roaming my neighborhood and often in my backyard. There was even one time wild hogs showed up to my birthday party. Being surrounded by diverse ecosystems and wildlife made me interested in wildlife conservation and sustainability.

Also, my family has been blessed to travel to many places outside of the US, so I have always been fascinated with the beauty and biodiversity of other countries. This picture is from a trip my family took to Brazil last summer where we explored The Tijuca Forest National Park.

As I learned more about the challenges facing biodiversity—habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution—I felt a growing sense of responsibility. My love for animals transformed into a desire to protect their habitats and promote sustainable practices. This shift in perspective led me to pursue a career in sustainability, where I could combine my passion for nature with meaningful action.

Specifically as a woman of color I want to protect marginalized communities that face environmental injustices. I am currently learning Swahili, so I hope to focus my studies in East Africa and work as an international environmental lawyer combating resource exploitation and the effects of climate change”

Humans of TAP: Jeffrey Huber

“My childhood was one with a lot of time spent in the car. Whether it was a typical trip to my grandparents’ house a couple hours away, or a 50-hour or so round trip with my family out west, we drove. When I tell people this they are usually pretty surprised, which is understandable, but in my opinion those hours were some of the most influential moments in my life.

Especially before the implementation of my dad’s hotspot for car rides, I would spend the majority of my time staring out the window appreciating everything that passed by my eyes. I was lucky enough to travel to all corners of the country, meaning the environments and cultures changed dramatically in front of my eyes, exposing me not just to the beautiful destinations, but all the people and places that filled in that space.

My observant nature was and is not limited to the car. I grew up in northern Michigan surrounded by lakes, forests, dunes, and rivers with a family that loved to camp and explore. From as young as I can remember I was spending weekends and weeknights hiking, swimming, kayaking, etc. This type of upbringing instilled an instinct for being observant and curious as to how things work and why things look the way they do. My closest friends would tell you that I may randomly go silent, but in reality, I am appreciating something that caught my attention. I am proud to be studying the sciences behind the beautiful world I have come to love; the one that I viewed through the car window, and the one that I grew up surrounded by. I am beyond excited to learn more about the social and environmental sustainability issues that we face today through TAP”

Humans of TAP: Jeffrey Huber

“My childhood was one with a lot of time spent in the car. Whether it was a typical trip to my grandparents’ house a couple hours away, or a 50-hour or so round trip with my family out west, we drove. When I tell people this they are usually pretty surprised, which is understandable, but in my opinion those hours were some of the most influential moments in my life.

Especially before the implementation of my dad’s hotspot for car rides, I would spend the majority of my time staring out the window appreciating everything that passed by my eyes. I was lucky enough to travel to all corners of the country, meaning the environments and cultures changed dramatically in front of my eyes, exposing me not just to the beautiful destinations, but all the people and places that filled in that space.

My observant nature was and is not limited to the car. I grew up in northern Michigan surrounded by lakes, forests, dunes, and rivers with a family that loved to camp and explore. From as young as I can remember I was spending weekends and weeknights hiking, swimming, kayaking, etc. This type of upbringing instilled an instinct for being observant and curious as to how things work and why things look the way they do. My closest friends would tell you that I may randomly go silent, but in reality, I am appreciating something that caught my attention. I am proud to be studying the sciences behind the beautiful world I have come to love; the one that I viewed through the car window, and the one that I grew up surrounded by. I am beyond excited to learn more about the social and environmental sustainability issues that we face today through TAP”

We are so excited to welcome our newest taplings to the TAP family! We kicked off their first week with some awesome events! We cannot wait to make more memories with the IOTA CLASS!! 🌱☀️💗

We are so excited to welcome our newest taplings to the TAP family! We kicked off their first week with some awesome events! We cannot wait to make more memories with the IOTA CLASS!! 🌱☀️💗

TAP is thrilled to be back together for another wonderful semester, however we also wanted to take some time to highlight our awesome summer activities!! This truly was a summer well spent😘🌲

TAP is thrilled to be back together for another wonderful semester, however we also wanted to take some time to highlight our awesome summer activities!! This truly was a summer well spent😘🌲

Applications are due Saturday, September 7th at 11:59pm! If you have any questions, please join our virtual application open hours on Sep. 7th from 5-7 PM!

Links to the application and open hours are in our bio! 🌲🔆🌿🌱🌼

Applications are due Saturday, September 7th at 11:59pm! If you have any questions, please join our virtual application open hours on Sep. 7th from 5-7 PM!

Links to the application and open hours are in our bio! 🌲🔆🌿🌱🌼

Welcome to TAP fall ‘24 recruitment!
You’ll find all of our exciting first round events here!

TAP offers professional development events, a great community of people, community engagement, activism opportunities, social bonding, and more!

Head to our linktree in our bio to fill out the interest form! We can’t wait to meet you!

Welcome to TAP fall ‘24 recruitment!
You’ll find all of our exciting first round events here!

TAP offers professional development events, a great community of people, community engagement, activism opportunities, social bonding, and more!

Head to our linktree in our bio to fill out the interest form! We can’t wait to meet you!

Chat with us during our virtual mass meetings! We’re offering two meetings to answer your questions about the recruitment process, professional development opportunities, our TAP community, engagement, and more!

You only need to attend one! Visit the linktree in our bio for zoom links! 🌲🌸🔆

Chat with us during our virtual mass meetings! We’re offering two meetings to answer your questions about the recruitment process, professional development opportunities, our TAP community, engagement, and more!

You only need to attend one! Visit the linktree in our bio for zoom links! 🌲🌸🔆

Stop by our table at Festifall this Wednesday, August 28! TIME CORRECTION: 2:30-5pm!
We’d love to meet anybody interested in sustainability regardless of major or experience.
Come meet some incredible tapmates and have all of your questions answered about recruitment!
Check out our bio to fill out the interest form & visit our website to learn more!
www.thetaalphapsi.com

Stop by our table at Festifall this Wednesday, August 28! TIME CORRECTION: 2:30-5pm!
We’d love to meet anybody interested in sustainability regardless of major or experience.
Come meet some incredible tapmates and have all of your questions answered about recruitment!
Check out our bio to fill out the interest form & visit our website to learn more!
www.thetaalphapsi.com

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are so proud of our graduates & we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish! 🎓〽️🌎🌱🌿

We will miss you all so much! Thank you for bringing so much fun & energy to TAP!

Shoutout to @ievasurantas for the amazing grad photos!

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are so proud of our graduates & we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish! 🎓〽️🌎🌱🌿

We will miss you all so much! Thank you for bringing so much fun & energy to TAP!

Shoutout to @ievasurantas for the amazing grad photos!

Humans of TAP: Benjamin Rodgers

“I was born and raised in Southern California. Being constantly surrounded by the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains gave me an appreciation and respect for the natural world as a child; however, my journey into the environmental world didn’t truly start until a backpacking trip I took with some of my classmates in my junior year of high school. Admittedly, the biggest
reason at the time for why I went on this trip was because it was being led by the school’s college
counselor, and my mom thought it would be a brilliant way for him to get to know me and, therefore, write a better college recommendation letter for me in the following year. I’d never had any qualms about spending an extended amount of time outside, but still, this was the first time I’d ever be in the mountains for several days, and it was a little scary.

So, on an early morning during spring break, my college counselor, a Spanish teacher I’d never spoken to, myself, my best friend, and about 15 other students whom I was loosely friends with started our hike into the Los Padres National Forest. We spent just under a week camping and doing trail maintenance with the help of park rangers.

The journey had highs and lows and was not logistically planned as well as it probably could’ve been (one afternoon was spent running through trails with my best friend trying to find the Spanish teacher who was bringing up the tail of the group and had missed a cairn and taken a wrong turn); however, it was an amazing experience through and through. I did not recognize the value of this adventure until much time had passed, but I can confidently say I would not be nearly as passionate about the environment if not for this backpacking trip”

Humans of TAP: Benjamin Rodgers

“I was born and raised in Southern California. Being constantly surrounded by the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains gave me an appreciation and respect for the natural world as a child; however, my journey into the environmental world didn’t truly start until a backpacking trip I took with some of my classmates in my junior year of high school. Admittedly, the biggest
reason at the time for why I went on this trip was because it was being led by the school’s college
counselor, and my mom thought it would be a brilliant way for him to get to know me and, therefore, write a better college recommendation letter for me in the following year. I’d never had any qualms about spending an extended amount of time outside, but still, this was the first time I’d ever be in the mountains for several days, and it was a little scary.

So, on an early morning during spring break, my college counselor, a Spanish teacher I’d never spoken to, myself, my best friend, and about 15 other students whom I was loosely friends with started our hike into the Los Padres National Forest. We spent just under a week camping and doing trail maintenance with the help of park rangers.

The journey had highs and lows and was not logistically planned as well as it probably could’ve been (one afternoon was spent running through trails with my best friend trying to find the Spanish teacher who was bringing up the tail of the group and had missed a cairn and taken a wrong turn); however, it was an amazing experience through and through. I did not recognize the value of this adventure until much time had passed, but I can confidently say I would not be nearly as passionate about the environment if not for this backpacking trip”

TAP Formal Winter 2024! Thank you to our Internal team for planning such a great night!

TAP Formal Winter 2024! Thank you to our Internal team for planning such a great night!

Happy Earth Day!
Today is a fantastic day to get involved and raise awareness for our planet! 🌎 TAP has so many wonderful opportunities to volunteer within the local Ann Arbor community & help progress toward a more sustainable earth. We love our tapmates & feel especially grateful for this beautiful planet today! 💚 💙

Happy Earth Day!
Today is a fantastic day to get involved and raise awareness for our planet! 🌎 TAP has so many wonderful opportunities to volunteer within the local Ann Arbor community & help progress toward a more sustainable earth. We love our tapmates & feel especially grateful for this beautiful planet today! 💚 💙

We would like to highlight just a few of the many events that the TAP community engagement team has made available to our organization this semester! Throughout the winter & spring, TAP also participated in blanket making for the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, led a trash pick-up on South U, and helped run two stations at the Burns Park Elementary School Unplugged Day! 🌿🌱☀️🌎

We would like to highlight just a few of the many events that the TAP community engagement team has made available to our organization this semester! Throughout the winter & spring, TAP also participated in blanket making for the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, led a trash pick-up on South U, and helped run two stations at the Burns Park Elementary School Unplugged Day! 🌿🌱☀️🌎

Humans of TAP: Sara Plaza

“When I was four, I was chased by a turkey.

The way my mother tells it, I was talking about how much I wanted to eat that turkey (I had a deep love for sliced lunchmeat-type turkey as a child, so seeing the real thing was a lot for four-year-old me). Apparently the turkey heard me, got loose from the rope leash my uncle was holding, and came after me.

This was one of my first memorable encounters with nature: these times spent visiting Abuelita’s house in Cuenca, Ecuador, the place my father called home throughout his childhood, almost a small zoo of sorts, with animals of all types running around the yard and a herd of cows living in a field a short drive up the mountain.

What visiting Abuelito y Abuelita inspired in me as a child was a deep appreciation for the way people today continue to live not solely on this planet, but also off of it, creating their livelihoods, families, and homesteads with nature at the heart of each.

As I’ve gotten older and learned more about the challenges facing us, both humanity as a whole and our planet, I return to these precious moments spent at Abuelita’s: breathing in crisp mountain air, sipping soup made from a chicken caught earlier in the day, watching Abuelita, despite being warned by her children about her age, make the daily trip up the hilly mountainside to tend to her cows.

These memories remind me of how important it is that this world, with all of its experiences and beauties, continues to exist now and for our future generations. They remind me of how much we need our planet, how vital it is to so many people, places, and communities, and how crucial it is that we all do our part to protect it.

My personal experience with the environment has led me to have a deep-seated passion for sustainability, which isn’t just about protecting the environment – we cannot forget to protect those who rely on it as well. For Abuelita”

Humans of TAP: Sara Plaza

“When I was four, I was chased by a turkey.

The way my mother tells it, I was talking about how much I wanted to eat that turkey (I had a deep love for sliced lunchmeat-type turkey as a child, so seeing the real thing was a lot for four-year-old me). Apparently the turkey heard me, got loose from the rope leash my uncle was holding, and came after me.

This was one of my first memorable encounters with nature: these times spent visiting Abuelita’s house in Cuenca, Ecuador, the place my father called home throughout his childhood, almost a small zoo of sorts, with animals of all types running around the yard and a herd of cows living in a field a short drive up the mountain.

What visiting Abuelito y Abuelita inspired in me as a child was a deep appreciation for the way people today continue to live not solely on this planet, but also off of it, creating their livelihoods, families, and homesteads with nature at the heart of each.

As I’ve gotten older and learned more about the challenges facing us, both humanity as a whole and our planet, I return to these precious moments spent at Abuelita’s: breathing in crisp mountain air, sipping soup made from a chicken caught earlier in the day, watching Abuelita, despite being warned by her children about her age, make the daily trip up the hilly mountainside to tend to her cows.

These memories remind me of how important it is that this world, with all of its experiences and beauties, continues to exist now and for our future generations. They remind me of how much we need our planet, how vital it is to so many people, places, and communities, and how crucial it is that we all do our part to protect it.

My personal experience with the environment has led me to have a deep-seated passion for sustainability, which isn’t just about protecting the environment – we cannot forget to protect those who rely on it as well. For Abuelita”

Humans of TAP: Jonathan Wolinksi

“I’ve always loved the outdoors. I’m from the Boston area, so my childhood was filled with weekend hiking trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, day trips to local mountain biking trails, and many weeks spent at summer camp in upstate New York. Through all of these experiences, I’ve come to realize that there is a certain sense of calmness and serenity I get in nature that I can’t seem to replicate anywhere else. Even when the weather is cold or my equipment breaks, I’m always quickly distracted by the beauty of my surroundings. In this case, less is more.

These experiences have caused me to reevaluate my impact on the planet, especially in recent years. And honestly, I’ve sometimes struggled to find ways to apply my skills and interests to issues of sustainability. But I think I’ve finally got it: I love math and algorithm development, and the US power grid happens to be very out of date in its ability to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources. I find that there are so many interesting optimization and network-related problems here that I would love to explore further, potentially in a career. This would be my way of giving back to the planet that has provided me with so much peace and enjoyment”

Humans of TAP: Jonathan Wolinksi

“I’ve always loved the outdoors. I’m from the Boston area, so my childhood was filled with weekend hiking trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, day trips to local mountain biking trails, and many weeks spent at summer camp in upstate New York. Through all of these experiences, I’ve come to realize that there is a certain sense of calmness and serenity I get in nature that I can’t seem to replicate anywhere else. Even when the weather is cold or my equipment breaks, I’m always quickly distracted by the beauty of my surroundings. In this case, less is more.

These experiences have caused me to reevaluate my impact on the planet, especially in recent years. And honestly, I’ve sometimes struggled to find ways to apply my skills and interests to issues of sustainability. But I think I’ve finally got it: I love math and algorithm development, and the US power grid happens to be very out of date in its ability to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources. I find that there are so many interesting optimization and network-related problems here that I would love to explore further, potentially in a career. This would be my way of giving back to the planet that has provided me with so much peace and enjoyment”

Humans of TAP: Elizabeth Rozeboom

“I’ve been aware of our planet’s incredible beauty from my earliest memories. Before I could spell my
name, I learned to observe the silent praying mantis, the flighty birds, the sounds of whales in the deep,
and the countless wonders of our world with reverence and love. The first documentary I remember
watching was Winged Migration. Flocks of birds taking off into the blue sky, the lone bird traversing
through treacherous yet breathtaking scenery, and the peace of nature were all imprinted on my young
mind. The distinct call of the sandhill cranes and Canadian geese mixed with David Attenborough’s
narration of the Planet Earth movies still vividly brings me back to my childhood.

Yet, my sense of awe is mingled with sadness. The beauty I’ve witnessed onscreen has only sometimes
matched the great outdoors. I’ve seen beaches littered with trash, plastic bags drifting in lakes, and oily
ocean water near ports. I know what receding glaciers sound like, the crash of rock through melting ice,
the steady drip and flow of water streaming away from the millennia old crystalized ice.

I treasure our planet and seek to do everything I can to preserve and surround myself with communities of
environmentally conscious individuals who, when working together, can return us to the cleaner, wilder
planet of my youth”

Humans of TAP: Elizabeth Rozeboom

“I’ve been aware of our planet’s incredible beauty from my earliest memories. Before I could spell my
name, I learned to observe the silent praying mantis, the flighty birds, the sounds of whales in the deep,
and the countless wonders of our world with reverence and love. The first documentary I remember
watching was Winged Migration. Flocks of birds taking off into the blue sky, the lone bird traversing
through treacherous yet breathtaking scenery, and the peace of nature were all imprinted on my young
mind. The distinct call of the sandhill cranes and Canadian geese mixed with David Attenborough’s
narration of the Planet Earth movies still vividly brings me back to my childhood.

Yet, my sense of awe is mingled with sadness. The beauty I’ve witnessed onscreen has only sometimes
matched the great outdoors. I’ve seen beaches littered with trash, plastic bags drifting in lakes, and oily
ocean water near ports. I know what receding glaciers sound like, the crash of rock through melting ice,
the steady drip and flow of water streaming away from the millennia old crystalized ice.

I treasure our planet and seek to do everything I can to preserve and surround myself with communities of
environmentally conscious individuals who, when working together, can return us to the cleaner, wilder
planet of my youth”

TAP Spirit Week 2024!

Over the past few days, TAP participated in our first spirit week! Activities included kickball, trash cleanups, a tour of the campus farm, and more! Thank you to our Internal Team for putting together such a fun schedule of events for our tapmates & taplings! 🌱☀️🌎

TAP Spirit Week 2024!

Over the past few days, TAP participated in our first spirit week! Activities included kickball, trash cleanups, a tour of the campus farm, and more! Thank you to our Internal Team for putting together such a fun schedule of events for our tapmates & taplings! 🌱☀️🌎

Humans of TAP: Remy Doe

“My mom has taught me many things, but one of the biggest has been sustainability. I didn’t understand my mom’s efforts at a young age as it seemed easier to pack goldfish in a Ziploc and bag all the vegetables and fruit in plastic produce bags. I especially didn’t understand why I couldn’t buy a whole new wardrobe and school supplies for the school year, even though I had perfectly good clothes and notebooks sitting at home. Although these sound silly, I realized that her efforts were out of love for the planet and me! She led by example and instilled lifelong habits of environmental responsibility through an eco-friendly lifestyle. My mom taught me the importance of giving back all the love the planet shows me.

Incorporating sustainability into my education and my future career has been a goal of mine, as I want to continue and inspire others in environmental stewardship and work towards building an environmentally sustainable culture. I have already learned so much, especially through Theta Alpha Psi, and am grateful to be surrounded by amazing people who motivate me every day!”

Humans of TAP: Remy Doe

“My mom has taught me many things, but one of the biggest has been sustainability. I didn’t understand my mom’s efforts at a young age as it seemed easier to pack goldfish in a Ziploc and bag all the vegetables and fruit in plastic produce bags. I especially didn’t understand why I couldn’t buy a whole new wardrobe and school supplies for the school year, even though I had perfectly good clothes and notebooks sitting at home. Although these sound silly, I realized that her efforts were out of love for the planet and me! She led by example and instilled lifelong habits of environmental responsibility through an eco-friendly lifestyle. My mom taught me the importance of giving back all the love the planet shows me.

Incorporating sustainability into my education and my future career has been a goal of mine, as I want to continue and inspire others in environmental stewardship and work towards building an environmentally sustainable culture. I have already learned so much, especially through Theta Alpha Psi, and am grateful to be surrounded by amazing people who motivate me every day!”

Humans of TAP: Kate Hudack

“As a child, I found myself captivated by the diverse world of gardening thanks to my
grandmother’s patient guidance. In her backyard, amidst the lush greenery and earthy scent of
soil, I learned the fundamentals of nurturing life from seed to harvest. Together, we tended to
cherry tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, each plant offering a lesson in resilience and growth.

Under her gentle instruction, I not only cultivated a green thumb but also gained a deeper
understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world. As we planted and took care of
the garden, I learned to respect the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of
sustainable practices.

As I grew older, my passion for gardening flourished independently. Venturing beyond the
familiar, I embarked on the challenge of growing pie pumpkins. Each pumpkin plant tended to
and every pumpkin harvested over the course of four years deepened my appreciation for
growing your own food.

Yet, my journey towards sustainability extended beyond cultivation in my garden. Inspired by the
principles of ecological responsibility, I began to explore the practice of composting,
transforming kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil. Composing not only minimizes food waste in
my home, but also enhances the vitality of my garden.

Through gardening, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate beauty of the world around me. Each
seedling that emerges from the soil is a testament to the potential for growth and renewal. In my
quiet moments spent among the plants, I find peace and inspiration, reminded of our shared
responsibility to nurture and protect the planet we call home”

Humans of TAP: Kate Hudack

“As a child, I found myself captivated by the diverse world of gardening thanks to my
grandmother’s patient guidance. In her backyard, amidst the lush greenery and earthy scent of
soil, I learned the fundamentals of nurturing life from seed to harvest. Together, we tended to
cherry tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, each plant offering a lesson in resilience and growth.

Under her gentle instruction, I not only cultivated a green thumb but also gained a deeper
understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world. As we planted and took care of
the garden, I learned to respect the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of
sustainable practices.

As I grew older, my passion for gardening flourished independently. Venturing beyond the
familiar, I embarked on the challenge of growing pie pumpkins. Each pumpkin plant tended to
and every pumpkin harvested over the course of four years deepened my appreciation for
growing your own food.

Yet, my journey towards sustainability extended beyond cultivation in my garden. Inspired by the
principles of ecological responsibility, I began to explore the practice of composting,
transforming kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil. Composing not only minimizes food waste in
my home, but also enhances the vitality of my garden.

Through gardening, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate beauty of the world around me. Each
seedling that emerges from the soil is a testament to the potential for growth and renewal. In my
quiet moments spent among the plants, I find peace and inspiration, reminded of our shared
responsibility to nurture and protect the planet we call home”

Join us for a campus wide zero waste week challenge! Next week (March 17th-23rd), Zerowaste.org will be hosting a series of events and providing educational strategies to help YOU learn how to reduce waste! Each event you sign up for gives you a chance at winning prizes!

TAP has been specifically working to plan the zero waste business roundtable, which will explore local Ann Arbor businesses in bringing about a circular economy!

Sign up for this fun challenge at
zerowaste.org/umich/

Join us for a campus wide zero waste week challenge! Next week (March 17th-23rd), Zerowaste.org will be hosting a series of events and providing educational strategies to help YOU learn how to reduce waste! Each event you sign up for gives you a chance at winning prizes!

TAP has been specifically working to plan the zero waste business roundtable, which will explore local Ann Arbor businesses in bringing about a circular economy!

Sign up for this fun challenge at
zerowaste.org/umich/

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we would like to highlight some notable environmentalists as well as events on campus!

More events can be found at events.umich.edu; search “Women’s History Month” to easily locate options!

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we would like to highlight some notable environmentalists as well as events on campus!

More events can be found at events.umich.edu; search “Women’s History Month” to easily locate options!

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