Alexis Guillermo

Mighty Oak Monday: Alexis Guillermo

10/30/2023

Major: Forest Ecosystem Science
Hometown: New City, New York
Class of ’24

Alexis Guillermo never thought she would be studying forest ecosystem science.

“I started my college journey as a criminal justice major,” Guillermo said. “I had a whole different picture of what my life would be like.”

It didn’t take long for her to realize she disliked criminal justice and withdrew from college during her first year. Criminal justice was theoretical, and Guillermo needed something hands-on.

Rather than go directly back to school, she took time to figure out her purpose. The gap year gave Guillermo the time she needed to find her moment of inspiration.

That moment came when she remembered a post high school fellowship to Costa Rica through a nonprofit called United Planet. She stayed in a rural part of the country where Guillermo got closer to nature than she ever could in her hometown of New York City.

“Our supervisor was one of the most passionate people I met in my life,” Guillermo said. “If he could be that excited about the environment, maybe I could be too.”

An online search led her to ESF and an Open House to explore her options. As soon as faculty from the Ranger School explained that their programs were ideal for those seeking to get out from behind a desk – she was hooked.

Guillermo enrolled at ESF in 2021 and quickly found a home with her fellow foresters at the Ranger School. She struggled initially – but Guillermo’s support system comprised of family, friends, and faculty helped her through her associate degree. At the appointed hour of Ranger School graduation, Guillermo was ready to jump into the workforce as a forester. Her support system convinced her otherwise, and Guillermo did something she never expected to do: return to college to complete her bachelor’s degree.

It’s a decision she made with equal parts passion, determination, and necessity. “I want to work in forests after graduation, and many opportunities in forestry or pathology require a four-year degree,” she said.

Now a senior, Guillermo seeks to inspire others to follow her path.

“There’s not a lot of diversity in the field of forestry, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Guillermo said. “I want more people of color to see this path as an opportunity and hope that my story can help them see this is a viable path.”

Learn more about ESF’s Forest Ecosystem Science program.