Meet the 2022 IEC Summer Interns

posted by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Tamia Glover - Law Clerk

I have been enjoying my time as a Summer Law Clerk at the Iowa Environmental Council. My goals coming into this position were to expand my knowledge in environmental law, policies, research, and legal writing. So far, IEC has exceeded my expectations. The IEC family has welcomed me with open arms and made my summer experience one to remember. The IEC staff created a family like environment that allows everyone to show up as their authentic self and come together for community outreach and environmental advocacy. Being a Law Clerk at IEC has been intellectually challenging, and I have learned so much already. I am grateful for this opportunity because I know it will make me a better student and an amazing attorney.

Morgan Muenster - Law Clerk

I grew up along the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, the most beautiful city in the world (I may be biased, but I think it’s true!). Growing up, I was constantly connected to nature. I lived extremely close to the Mines of Spain and its miles of hiking trails, and I could always be found sitting outside picking dandelions. I remember my dad taking me out on the river in my great-grandpa Arnie’s fishing boat during hot summer days—I never caught anything because I refused to put a worm on the hook.  

Although as a child I was always connected to nature, it wasn’t until my undergraduate years at Loras College that I became interested in the field of environmental law. During my sophomore year I took a three-week class in India, traveling across the country and learning about the environmental issues in the Global South. Soon after, I applied to law school, hoping to focus on environmental issues. 

I am currently working towards my J.D. at Vermont Law School, and will graduate in May 2023. I am involved in leadership positions in the Women’s Law Society and the Moot Court Advisory Board. I was also recently elected to serve as the Senior Notes Editor for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, a position in which I will be able to help other students learn and grow in their writing and research abilities. Vermont is such a beautiful state, and it’s amazing to learn about environmental law in a place deeply connected to nature.  

I am so excited to be working with IEC as a summer legal intern. This summer, I hope to learn more about environmental issues that I’m passionate about, including water and animal law. Learning about how these areas of law work in a rural, agricultural state like Iowa will be incredibly helpful going forward in my career. After graduation, I hope to work in the public interest sector, using what I’ve learned to help protect the environment locally and nationally. I would love to come home to Iowa when I graduate; I love this state and want to make it better in any way I can. 

McCade Gowdy - Communications Intern

Growing up on a small family farm in central Iowa, I have always been interested in the environment. Since I was 10, my dad and I have planted thousands of trees on our land, hoping to renew habitat and do a small part to offset carbon emissions. We have also started a Christmas tree farm, selling trees for the past two years. 

​I am excited to join the IEC staff for the summer of 2022 as the communications ​intern. I am a rising senior at Drake University,  majoring in ​multimedia ​journalism with a minor in ​economics.

Our family farm led to my love for the outdoors. In my free time, I enjoy running, biking and hiking. I also love photography and traveling. I am returning to Iowa for the summer after spending my spring semester in Florence, Italy. 

I am passionate about land conservation and renewable energy and their importance to human longevity. I am excited to learn about IEC as a non-profit by seeing its functions and its impact.

I love discovering how issues, movements, and needs overlap. I'm eager to see how IEC brings together policy, awareness, and action to create a better state and world.

Woman Smiling at the camera

Tamia

woman in front of a river smiling at the camera with a dog

Morgan

man looking off to the side smiling

McCade

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About The Author

IEC is pleased to welcome guest bloggers on a number of different topics throughout the year. If you are interested in submitting a blog piece to IEC, contact us at iecmail@iaenvironment.org.