Communications Coordinator
Erin Schimenti
Sustainable Design, Communications
Erin Schimenti is a senior at Illinois who loves being outside and exploring the natural areas around campus. She is pursuing a dual degree in Sustainable Design and Communication. She is especially interested in green stormwater infrastructure and educational outreach. In the future, she hopes to combine art and sustainability concepts to help people become more aware of their local environments.
Under the guidance of the RORG Team, Erin is involved in outreach and engagement, providing tours, tabling events, and developing a series of botanical art that increase rain garden plant literacy.
Sustainability Intern
Joe Hinsberger
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Joe is a sophomore studying Civil and Environmental Engineering at Illinois. He is passionate about expanding access and connection with nature, especially in urban environments. He enjoys learning how water impacts ecosystems, such as dam removal projects and reintroducing beavers in drought areas. In his free time, he enjoys working out and hiking.
Joe is the first RORG Student Team member to receive course credit through ENVS 491: Sustainability Experience.
Under the guidance of the RORG Team, Joe is involved in rain garden stewardship, tabling events, and other outreach and engagement initiatives.
Stormwater Intern
Chantal Korde
Chemical Engineering
Chantal Korde is a senior majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Illinois. She is very interested in sustainability, as well as clean energy. She hopes to enter a career that improves the environment, either by removing pollution and restoring its beauty, or by developing innovative ways to help people coexist with the natural world. Some of her hobbies include reading and yoga, and she has a tuxedo cat back home.
Under the guidance of the RORG Team, Chantal is involved with Extension stormwater programming and research.
Communications Intern
Abby Jacobs
Graphic Design
Abby Jacobs is a sophomore at the University of Illinois studying Graphic Design with minors in Art History and English. She enjoys using visual design to communicate meaningful messages to a wide audience. She is excited to engage in the Red Oak Rain Garden sustainability and community engagement efforts. In her free time, Abby enjoys a good book with a cup of coffee, knitting, and walks outdoors with family and friends.
Under the guidance of the RORG Team, Abby is involved with social media content and graphics.
Communications Intern
Clare Smith
Architecture
Clare Smith is a junior at Illinois studying Architecture with a minor in the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Fellows Program. She enjoys exploring the relationship between design and the environment, with a focus on creating spaces that support sustainability and community. In the future, Clare hopes to combine her interests in architecture, sustainability, and design to create thoughtful, environmentally conscious spaces.
Under the guidance of the RORG Team, Clare is involved with merchandise design and photography of the rain garden.
Landscape Architecture Intern
Kshitija Wadgaonkar
Landscape Architecture
Kshitija is a Master’s student in Landscape Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with a background in architecture, sustainability, and urban ecology. She is passionate about landscape urbanism and green infrastructure, and her work has contributed to urban biodiversity projects, green pathways, and sustainable community development. She strives to design landscapes that bridge the gap between urban infrastructure and natural ecosystems, creating resilient and community-driven spaces. In her free time, she loves traveling and exploring new places, drawing inspiration from different environments and cultures.
Under the guidance of the RORG team, Kshitija is developing a suite of graphic representations of Green Stormwater Infrastructure practices to be used in upcoming Extension Stormwater Program projects.
Red Oak Rain Garden 