Welcome Shi Fellows 2026-2027!

We are thrilled to welcome the Shi Institute’s 2026-27 class of Student Fellows. This year’s cohort comes from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Communications and their projects are just as diverse. Our Eco-Rep Fellows are growing peer-to-peer education and engagement. The Communications and Outreach Fellow is amplifying stories that spark behavior change. The Recycling and Residential Composting Fellow is helping Furman rethink waste. Our Arboretum Fellow is elevating tree literacy across campus. And at the Furman Farm, the Student Assistant Farm Manager and the Systems and Strategy Fellow are strengthening sustainable food systems and community connections. Dive into their bios to see how curiosity, collaboration, and hands-on learning are driving a more sustainable Furman.

Emmett Neal, ’28
Eco Rep Fellow
Emmett Neal is a junior Chemistry major on the biochemistry track from Round Rock, Texas. This fall, he is working as an Eco-Rep Fellow. He and Maddie Krachon are leading the Furman Eco-Reps, a group of students, to teach and host events around sustainability in the Furman Community. Emmett believes that the key to environmental change is education and meeting people where they are. In his free time, Emmett enjoys reading, origami, hiking, and meeting new people. 

Jada Hunt, ’27
Communications and Outreach Fellow
Jada Hunt, ‘27, is a senior Communications major with minors in journalism and musical theater from Florence, South Carolina. She is serving as the Communications and Outreach Fellow this year.   Working in this role allows her to combine her love of educating those on the importance of sustainability with communications and social engagement.  She is most looking forward to growing the Shi Institute’s visibility and making an impact on campus. In her free time, Jada can be found singing, dancing, and missing her 7-year-old red-eared slider. 

Maddie Krachon, ’27
Eco Rep Fellow
Maddie Krachon is a senior biology major on the environmental and conservation track, with a minor in science education. She is from Atlanta, GA. This year, she is one of the Eco-Reps Fellows alongside Emmett Neal. The Eco Reps are a group of students on campus that believe environmental education can make a difference in making Furman’s campus more sustainable. Maddie believes that education can truly make a difference for our planet.

Aubin Vertueux Dzossa Bontse, ’27
Student Assistant Farm Manager
Aubin is a senior majoring in Physics with a minor in Data Analytics. He grew up in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he completed all his education before coming to Furman University. He was drawn to this fellowship by his strong desire to learn new skills and techniques for successful organic and sustainable agriculture . In his free time, Aubin loves watching science documentaries, playing video games and listening to music.

Julia Anne Williamson, ’29
The Furman Farm Systems and Strategy Fellow
Julia Anne Williamson is a sophomore from McLean, Virginia, majoring in Biology. This year she is serving as the Systems and Strategy Fellow at the Furman Farm. She will be working closely with the Farm Managers to strengthen farm systems, identify operational bottlenecks, and document critical farm data. She will also help connect the farm with the Furman community by building a strong culture around volunteering, food, and sustainability. In her free time, JA can be found hiking, swimming, or trying new foods!

Olivia McPhail, ’29
Recycling and Residential Composting Fellow
Olivia MacPhail is a sophomore from Sarasota, Florida. She is a biology major on the pre-vet track with hopes to work with wildlife. As Furman’s Recycling and Composting Fellow, she is passionate about educating her peers on sustainability and helping Furman rethink waste to build a greener community. During her free time, Olivia likes kayaking, hiking, riding horses, and spending time with her 10 cats.

Sophie Crook-Delgado, ’28
Arboretum Fellow
Sophie Crook-Delgado, ’28, is a Biology major on the Environmental and Conservation track from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Sophie is serving as the Arboretum Fellow, a newly created position this year. She will be focused on the George G. Willis Jr. Arboretum on campus, where she will be working to update tree labeling and expanding public knowledge of the Arboretum. In her free time, Sophie enjoys drawing, reading science fiction, crafting, and getting food with her friends. 

Please join us in congratulating this year’s Fellows and in supporting their work. Follow along for future updates, show up for Eco-Rep events, volunteer at the Furman Farm, and help spread the word! Here’s to a year of curiosity, creativity, and community-powered sustainability action at Furman. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish and we’re so grateful you’re part of the journey.