Jesi Hessong is a first generation WYSE-r! She attended the inaugural conference in 2010 and quickly became apart of the WYSE family. She was the first WYSE fall intern in 2011 when she began her degree at George Mason University and was one of the first summer interns for WYSE 2011. This is her third year as a faculty advisor and is so honored to be asked back! Since her first WYSE conference, Jesi has received her B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Biology with a double minor in Applied Conservation Skills and Non-Profit Studies from George Mason University where she graduate Magna Cum Laude and received the Senior Award in Biology for her undergraduate research. Jesi also received two grants to fund some of her undergraduate research at Mason from the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). While attending Mason, Jesi worked at the Reptile Discovery Center at the National Zoo, for the Jane Goodall Institute, at the White Oak Conservation Center near Jacksonville, FL and attended the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation semester. When not at work Jesi is usually out rock climbing, hiking, looking for amphibians, competing in endurance events or walking her 4 year old Siberian Husky Hobbes.