Jolisa Brooks

Yale University, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Masters of Environmental Science MESc.

Jolisa Brooks’ interest in development was cultivated by the gross inequity and cyclical poverty that plagued her beloved city, Detroit, Michigan. While her love for humanity and pride in her hometown ignited a passion for development, a journey to Madagascar in May 2012 clarified her life’s purpose: to advocate for issues of environmental justice and development both domestically and abroad.   Jolisa is a product of Detroit Public Schools and proud alumna of Detroit Renaissance High School. She received her Bachelors degree from Michigan State University, where she studied Political Theory and Science, Technology, Environment & Public Policy. During her undergraduate career she conducted geological research in Antarctica and Argentina where she analyzed sustainable industrial fishing policies to protect keystone species. Jolisa will be attending the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies to pursue her Masters of Environmental Science. She feels blessed and grateful to become a Payne Fellow and is eager to enter the Foreign Service at the USAID as an Environment Officer.