Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Lyssa Lini

Hello! My name is Lyssa Lini...

and I am honored to be a 2022 Grossman Scholar.
I recently graduated from Pikes Peak Early College and Pikes Peak Community College. I will be attending Colorado State University this fall, where I will earn my Bachelor of Science in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a concentration in Conservation Biology and a minor in Ecological Restoration.
I possess an innate drive to advance conservation and environmental education in my community, which I nurture through my various service activities. For three years, I volunteered at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, assuming various roles such as Junior Zookeeper, member of the Youth Leadership Action Board, and Co-Chair of the Conservation Committee. Through these leadership roles, I presented our animal ambassadors and related conservation messages to guests and became an integral part of planning events at the zoo. As a steward of the environment, I also participate in projects to remove invasive plant species, build and maintain trails, clean up trash, and plant trees through various organizations such as the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, VOC, and the City of Colorado Springs: Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services.
My greatest interests pertain to the social and scientific aspects of conservation, which I will study in-depth at CSU through both curricular and experiential learning opportunities. One of my deepest passions lies in dismantling barriers to ecosystem services and environmental education. I recognize the current inequitable allocation of natural resources and hope to propose solutions to mend this gap and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of conservation. Additionally, by studying the physiology and ecology of species in crucial ecosystems, I hope to develop solutions that mitigate ecological loss from a scientific perspective.
I am incredibly grateful for VOC, an organization that fosters a diverse community of environmental stewards and possesses a genuine commitment to caring for natural resources. Because of VOC’s generosity and support, my educational and career goals are attainable, and I may continue to pursue higher education without stressing about the exorbitant costs of college. I am proud to be a member of the VOC community and will continue to volunteer with the organization and honor its mission statement while attending university. 
Lyssa is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.