Welcome 2026-2027 Water Institute Ambassadors

The Water Institute is excited to welcome Ashley Hennessey and Samantha Howley as our 2026-2027 Water Institute Ambassadors. With their passion, skills, and experience, the Water Institute is looking forward to collaborating with and fostering a vibrant graduate student community in the water sciences.

As ambassadors, Ashley and Sam will lead efforts to enhance student engagement through a range of events and initiatives, while also elevating student perspectives to help ensure the Water Institute remains responsive to the needs of its community. They will organize the Water Institute Student Showcase, held every Fall and Spring semester, bringing students together to share research, build connections across disciplines, and develop professional skills through interactive workshops.

They will continue promoting student work and accomplishments through the monthly Hydro Highlight spotlights. Created by the ambassadors in 2025, this outreach effort includes articles and social media posts that showcase the breadth of work across the Water Institute student community while encouraging further interdisciplinary dialogue and participation. Students interested in being featured can show their interest here.

In addition to these efforts, Ashley and Sam will play an important role in relaunching the University of Florida’s American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Student Chapter. This initiative will provide students with valuable opportunities to build leadership and program management skills while expanding their professional networks. The chapter will offer mentorship, resources, and career opportunities while strengthening connections to the broader water community.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Ashley Hennessey is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. Her research focuses on wetland and stream microbial communities’ response to reclaimed water, bridging environmental chemistry, ecosystem function, and public health. Ashley’s efforts to engage the student community include founding the Beneficial Reuse of Wastewater and Biosolids Journal club, serving as Treasurer of the SWES Graduate Student Association, and serving as a student representative to the Board of Southeastern US Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). These roles have provided Ashley with a wealth of experience organizing, leading, and building a community. As an ambassador, Ashley is excited to support conversations around applied water research, water reuse, and collaborative solutions for Florida’s water future.

Sam Howley is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Natural Resources and Environment whose research focuses on freshwater carbon cycling in North Florida’s flatwood streams and tropical riparian wetlands. Her past experiences include serving as Florida Cicerone, where she acted as an official student liaison for the University of Florida, as well as a Student Panel Host for the 2026 Center for African Studies Carter Conference. She has also been actively involved in mentoring and supporting fellow students in research, contributing to collaborative projects. These roles have strengthened her skills in communication, leadership, and building inclusive academic communities. As an ambassador, Sam brings a passion for fostering interdisciplinary connections and advancing collaborative research to support the growth and impact of the student community.

June 16, 2026