SEE in the news: Jane Schroeder

With every giant leap this spring and every story shared, the Purdue School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE) is demonstrating a commitment to Professional Practice Hall of Fame member Angela Jenkins’ words by consistently pursuing new knowledge to “solve challenges in the built environment and enhances our understanding of the interactions between human and natural systems.”

The SEE Spring 2026 EEE 47200: Community-Engaged Engineering and Design course, guided by Dr. Lindsey Payne , is the ultimate example of this consistent pursuit. EEE 47200 students, who are currently working with two community partners (St. Francis Early Learning Academy  and McCaw Park ) are leaping steadily to their goals of connecting and extending academic knowledge to improve the health and wellness of communities as they wrap up Week 9 of the course.

BSEE E senior Jane Schroeder loves that what she is learning in EEE 47200 strengthens connections with material she has explored throughout the BSEEE program.

“The knowledge has crossed over quite nicely with projects in some of my other classes already, which has been super cool!” Said Schroeder. “My favorite part of the course so far has been the plethora of new knowledge I have gained already, particularly on native plants!”

Through the opportunities for adaptability in working with teammates and stakeholders that EEE 47200 provides, Schroeder aspires to develop her skills in working with real-life clients in a design project and apply technical knowledge that she has acquired in all of her classes to the EEE 47200 community project.

“I am working on a team of 6 people, in which we are designing a rain garden and potential bioswale at the St. Francis Early Learning Academy in Lafayette,” Schroeder shared. 

“In this team, …I encourage a lot of collaboration and communication in the group…I have taken initiative various times in delegating work on reports and ensuring it’s completed on time.”

Schroeder ‘s goal is to a create a successful design of a rain garden that meets the community partner’s needs and implement a finished product that is “functional, beautiful, and easy-to-maintain.”

Schroeder hopes that the rain garden will continue to serve both the school and the community for many years after EEE 47200 concludes.

Water resources engineering, natural systems, and ecological restoration are all part of Jane’s current focus as a BSEEE student. She explained, “I have a specific interest in incorporating all pathways in working in sustainable green infrastructure and urban planning.”

In the future, Schroeder plans to become a practicing professional engineer that works to solve challenges that impact human and environmental health.

“I am most interested in the changes we can make to ensure that everyone has access to safe, clean, and reliable water sources. I would love to acquire a strong technical and professional baseline experience working in consulting… [and] translate my expertise to nonprofit work in bringing clean, reliable water to developing communities.”

Schroeder believes that sustainability and environmental engineering are important because they impact sector of society and industry.

“With ever-rising impacts from climate change, pollution, and the mass amounts of waste we produce,” said Schroeder, “sustainability and environmental engineering are more important than ever in addressing these issues and the harm they bring us and our planet.”

Overall, Schroeder values SEE’s role in enabling positive, sustainable impact for a clean, healthy planet with resources for all.

“There are many challenges that we face in solving environmental problems, but SEE takes the steps needed to address them, and to me, this is so important.”

EEE 47200’s impact will continue through weeks 11-16 this Spring semester!

To learn more about the Purdue School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE), visit: https://engineering.purdue.edu/SEE