Award Recognition
Indelible Mark
Karen Copeland is a senior in SEAS majoring in Earth and Environmental Engineering and minoring in Computer Science. She is being recognized for her dedication to Columbia Engineering as shown through her involvement in student organizations like the Columbia chapter of the American Society of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (A2E2S), which she founded, and to her department, where she has served as an elected student representative and on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the last two years. Karen has also engaged with ground level efforts to combat environmental issues, actively participating in Columbia’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders, where she served on the board in her junior year, working as a researcher at the Yip Lab, and interning with the Earth Institute, among other industry and non-profit experiences. Through all these avenues and more, her authenticity, passion, and diligence has allowed her to empower and improve her community.
I am incredibly honored to have been selected for this award and would like to thank my friends and family for their unwavering support of my goals and aspirations. I would also like to thank the faculty and staff here at Columbia who have made an impact on my journey here.