2026 Environmental Studies Seniors
Madison Achan
Hometown: Conway, Arkansas
About: Madison is interested in environmental justice and marine biology aspects of environmental studies. She really enjoys field work and conversation in marine environments and how it affects local communities. Madison hopes to get her MBA after Hendrix and work as an environmental consultant for a firm helping business to reduce their carbon footprint or to potentially work with aquatic animals in the ocean. She worked at Wildland Gardens during the spring of 2025 and helped with their annual plant sale. She learned a lot about local plants, and how permaculture can help grow a garden. While at Hendrix, Madison has been a part of the campus charity organization Campus Kitty and campus newspaper The Profile.
Amber Alsup
Hometown: Cabot, Arkansas
Minor: Dance
About: Amber is interested in pursuing conservation work. Amber is specifically interested in marine conservation. She hopes to attend grad school after my time at Hendrix. Some of her dream jobs in the field of conservation are Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Park Ranger, and a Field Research Scientist. Her internship was at a golf course in central Arkansas, her tasks while there were to make the course more environmentally friendly and sustainable. She planted two pollinator gardens, built and cared for many blue bird boxes, started a compost pile, and collected recyclable litter. Amber is a member of the golf team, the cheer team, the Hendrix Dance Ensemble, and in the United Methodist Fellowship Scholars.
Lace Chaffin
Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana
Minor: Anthropology
About: Lace decided to join the Environmental Studies program because she is deeply passionate regarding conservation and restoring the natural world. She is driven to learn more about the relationships between humans and the environment, along with exploring ways we can reduce our impact and advance towards more sustainable methods. While studying at Hendrix, Lace had the opportunity to intern with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. There she assisted several conservation experts with their work and was able to better understand what line of environmental work compels her the most. During her last few semesters at Hendrix, Lace became involved in the Hendrix food forest. Working in the food forest has allowed her to better understand the dynamics of sustainable food systems and has also enhanced her mental and physical well-being.
Peyton Frady
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Minor: Religious Studies
About: Peyton is passionate about water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and promoting environmental awareness. She believes in the importance of protecting the planet and inspiring others to live more sustainably. During her sophomore year at Hendrix, Peyton interned with Melissa Cowper-Smith’s Wildland Gardens, helping grow and share plants with the local Arkansas community. In the summer of 2025, she worked in Taos, New Mexico, with Amigos Bravos, collecting data on invasive species and supporting water conservation efforts. After Hendrix, Peyton plans to take a gap year to work in environmental consulting or conservation before pursuing graduate studies in water conservation. She also plays softball and serves as Vice-chair of the Environmental Concerns Committee.
Kannon Poteete
Hometown: Malakoff, Texas
Second Major: Religious Studies
About: Kannon's internship activities while at Hendrix included working with his hometown church as an assistant to the head youth pastor and working with a local garden in Conway. His plan after Hendrix is to become a full-time, overseas missionary, and to go where he feels called by the Lord to share the hope and purpose of the gospel. He has spent his time at Hendrix playing football and with Athletes in Action, which has been a huge part of his life at Hendrix! His interest in environmental studies derives from his love for animals, his past job working with a local veterinary technician back home for two years, and his want to help others overseas. If he can better understand the environmental circumstances that people live in and what they need, then he can better help those around the world through creating and managing projects that will help improve their quality of life. Or simply allow him to better understand different cultures so that he may easily share the gospel with everyone.
Chance Reed
Hometown: Walker, Louisiana
About: Chance became interested in Environmental Studies thanks to his interest in daily weather. After Hendrix, Chance plans to move back home and enter the fire academy at Baton Rouge, LA. Chance completed an internship with the Texarkana Rhinos as a fields crew member where he maintained the baseball/softball fields at Texas A&M Texarkana University. Chance was also part of the baseball team here at Hendrix for four years.
Adia Stone
Hometown: Olathe, Kansas
About: Adia is interested in sustainable food systems, specifically ecological agriculture, ethics and aesthetics. After graduating, she hopes to be as self-sufficient as possible, grow her own small-scale permaculture gardens, and help others do the same. Her first internship site was at Ryan Lawn & Tree in the Kansas City area, where she learned about traditional lawn care, pruning, plant health care, and irrigation. Her second one was at Wildland Gardens in Morrilton, Arkansas, where she learned about ecological gardening and helped grow plants for the spring plant sale in Conway.
Matthew Winger
Hometown: Lewisville, Texas
Minor: Biology
About: Matthew’s interest in environmental studies is based in his love for the outdoors and nature. Following graduation, Matthew plans to attend graduate school and pursue a degree in Wildlife Conservation/Rangeland Management. Following completion of his graduate school studies, Matthew plans on establishing residency in a western state and pursuing a career with a state game and fish agency. During his time at Hendrix College, Matthew completed two summer internships with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department where he helped grow and produce hay for winter feeding grounds in western Wyoming. Matthew was also a starter for the football team each year and a member of the leadership council.
2026 EVST Seniors speak for the trees!