If Rebecca Reynolds has her way, either the words “environmental policy” or “Independent politics” will become synonymous with her name.

“Right now, I want to do it all,” the Muskegon senior said.

Reynolds is a member of the political science honors fraternity Pi Sigma Alpha, the Student Environmental Alliance, Habitat for Humanity and Alternative Breaks. She has met professionals from Independent political parties and was invited to CMU on a Centralis scholarship.

But deep down, Reynolds said she mainly cares about is the environment.

“I think I’d ultimately like to help businesses and governments make sure they are protecting the environment,” she said. “I want to work with the environment and politics together somehow, maybe for the Environmental Protection Agency or a nonprofit organization.”

Reynolds attended “Choosing an Independent President: A National Conference of Independent Voters and Leaders” Saturday and Sunday in New York City. The only college student from Michigan who attended, Reynolds was one of 40 college students and 500 professionals nationwide who came to discuss Independent politics.

“It was an opportunity for me to re-examine my beliefs,” she said. “I learned a lot about myself through being completely involved in a professional experience. … I made some internship contacts, too.”

She was responsible for bringing Omar Ali, Committee for Unified Independent Parties spokesman and research director, to campus in October 2002.

Political science Assistant Professor Rick Kurtz, adviser to Pi Sigma Alpha, said Reynolds’ personality is evident in her career choice.

“She is looking beyond the dollar and is very focused in her pursuits, and that dedication and selflessness comes through in her personality,” Kurtz said. “I anticipate her going to graduate school and working for an advocacy group organization someday. She’ll go far.”

Although politics was not Reynolds’ first love, it became an acquired taste.

“I came to Central for environmental science, but switched to a double major in politics after taking a course in international relations my sophomore year,” she said. “I fell in love with politics right then.”

Reynolds wants to someday work in Washington, D.C., but she said anywhere other than Michigan would be a great start. After graduating in May, she said she hopes to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan.

“One thing I learned at the conference is that you don’t have to know exactly what you are going to do with your life,” she said. “If you want to do something, go for it, but if you find something else you love, it’s OK to go for that, too.”

E-mail the author: Ben RayCentral Michigan Life