At Clarkson University, learning does not stop at graduation. For Aysa Dunne ’22, an Environmental Engineering graduate, her Clarkson experience shaped her identity as both an engineer and a person dedicated to community-centered impact.
Today, Aysa works as a Project Manager for the City of Revere in Massachusetts, taking her environmental engineering degree into direct service with residents. Her work blends infrastructure, environmental responsibility, and city engagement, including:
- overseeing sidewalk and paving improvements
- managing the city’s illicit sump pump removal program under the 1972 Clean Water Act
- contributing to public gym facility improvement projects, including sauna design
Aysa describes her role simply: improving the city for the people who live in it.
Clarkson Foundations That Shaped Her Path
Aysa credits Clarkson’s mentorship and opportunities as the foundation of her career direction.
“Dr. Powers was extremely influential in my career choice. Her classes and guidance provided me with real-world expectations for the environmental engineering world.”
From the classroom to the pool deck, Clarkson gave her both a profession and a lifelong community.
Campus Involvement Highlights:
- Member, Swim & Dive Team
- Society of Women Engineers
- First Year Seminar peer mentor and master peer
- Lab assistant for Dr. Shane Rogers’ COVID-in-wastewater research
- Student Success Center desk manager and social media manager
These roles strengthened her leadership style, built confidence, and helped her discover her interest in public-facing environmental work.
“My swim community had the biggest impact on me as a student, athlete, and who I am as a person today.”
Life Beyond Clarkson: Engineering With Community in Mind
Now based in Boston, Aysa’s work reflects the idea that engineering is never just technical, it is human.
She partners with city residents, works alongside local agencies, and advocates for infrastructure improvements that directly impact everyday life. Her projects move beyond calculations and into daily quality-of-life outcomes for sidewalks, stormwater systems, sump pump compliance, and safe, sustainable improvements.
“Without Clarkson, I would have never tried different pathways within environmental engineering.”
Strength, Support, and a Boston Marathon Finish Line
In April 2026, Aysa will run the 130th Boston Marathon to support the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, a mission inspired by her mother’s diagnosis during Aysa’s sophomore year.
She describes that time as one of the most stressful chapters of her life, made possible only by her Clarkson support network.
“My mom was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, and it was my support system at Clarkson that helped me through it. Thankfully, her surgery was successful, and she is fully recovered.”
Running has become her way to honor that journey and give back.
