By Theresa O’Connor
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Not only is this a slogan we as elementary students learned as the “Three R’s” but it is also something TPA alum, Peter Hillebrand is super passionate about!
Peter Hillebrand, from the graduating class of 2014, is currently working for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is an independent executive agency that promotes essentially, greener living! There are innumerable sectors in this agency but Peter works in the Smart Sectors Program. This particular area in the EPA administers and communicates with several other sectors such as Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Automotive, and many more. The Smart Sectors Program also helps answer questions or concerns and it also helps those who are looking to partner with the EPA. When asked about challenges he has faced while working in a job like this, Peter replied, “EPA is HUGE though, so trying to remember all the acronyms and who works in what office and what every office does has not been easy!”
It all started with Peter’s interest in climate change and the public sector. Peter is well-immersed in the topic of climate change and its ongoing threats in the world. But like most people, Peter found it hard to be set on one career path that would help him alleviate the continuing crisis. Luckily, he was able to find a job at the EPA which allows him to research more about the environment and find constructive ways to combat climate change.
Further, Peter states that he has a strong belief in the power of the public sector because of its mission-based focus. He finds the nature of the work important as it makes an impact on many people’s lives.
While working as a scientist at Arizona State University, he gained an even better understanding and respect for the scientific process and the hard work and effort that comes along with it. He said the research done by scientists and experts has given him more knowledge on the background of hearing about agreement in the scientific community! This new perception enabled Peter to be able to judge good sourcing and good science.
After graduating from Tempe Prep, Peter attended Arizona State University and worked in the neuroscience lab as a scientific researcher. He says, “I definitely consider myself a product of the education I received at Tempe Prep! I wouldn’t be where I am without the science and math curriculum that led me to study engineering and put me on the path I’m on now”! Peter brings up that he loved calculus that was taught by Doc and he also sparked a curiosity in the fine arts and humane letters curriculum!
After receiving his master’s degree at ASU, Peter joined the Peace Corps and he volunteered in Botswana. He worked in the office of the District AIDS Coordinator in the town of Hukuntsi. His main duties included planning the district-level response to HIV and AIDS. While working in Hukuntsi, Peter reported that they would “work to improve self-confidence, motivate the aspirations for independence, and teach good practices to know in any relationship to many young children.”
Peter said he worked in Botswana for eight months and would have served for 27 months had it not been for the pandemic. Nevertheless, Peter exclaims that the Peace Corps is a very fulfilling experience that he highly recommends to anyone!
While working in the area of HIV and AIDS, he presented to a group of around 100 middle school girls about the subject matter. Peter also shared an interesting aspect while visiting Botswana: “It’s pretty unique living in another country in any circumstance! I had a good amount of ‘ox-tail’ while I was there -it’s considered somewhat of a delicacy”!
As mentioned earlier, Peter loves recycling and is actually also part of the America Recycles Team! This year, he helped organize the Innovation Fair which exhibits and showcases numerous innovations and new technology. This includes finding new and more effective ways for people to recycle and improve foundations through data or robots. Sounds pretty cool right? This year, it was held virtually and there were over 40 of those who presented a showcase. Peter says, “I really love recycling, I think it’s super rad, so getting to score applications of innovations to improve it? VERY fun.”
Along with all the other things Peter has taken part in, he has also organized a TPA alumni basketball team! Fun right? He had previously coached middle school basketball here at Tempe Prep and knew how to “run” the TPA gym. He and his other alumni friends who also were interested in playing basketball decided they wanted to start playing regularly on Saturdays. Peter adds, “It’s more of an open gym. We try to limit it to 15 people a week and then we make teams and run some 5-on-5 full court action.” It has been up and running for about five years and Peter says it was something he was super proud of! He hopes to get it back together sometime soon!
As the world is constantly changing around us, it is important for us to thank our TPA alumni, like Peter Hillebrand who are making great contributions in improving our environment!