Profiles of Members of EPA's LGBT Community: Rebecca Roose
Profiles of Members of EPA's LGBT Community
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Washington, DC
Where were you born?
I was born in Milford, Indiana.
What brought you to EPA?
I came to EPA with a desire to make a difference by working on national environmental policy issues.
Describe the type of work you do at EPA.
I work primarily on oversight and implementation of Clean Water Act compliance monitoring policies. I help ensure that federal water protection programs are appropriately implemented in all states by working with my EPA colleagues and state governments to overcome program implementation obstacles. My work contributes to higher rates of compliance by the thousands of facilities that discharge pollutants into waterways throughout the United States, which results in more environmental and public health protection.
What is your highest level of education? What was your major?
I have a law degree from the University of New Mexico and a bachelor degree in geography from Valparaiso University.
When did you know you were a member of the LBGT community?
I first came out to myself and others during my junior year of college.
What message would you like to send other members of the LBGT community who are considering college or a career in environmental protection?
Follow your dreams no matter what. There are no academic or career pursuits that are off-limits to a LGBT person. In my experience, working to further environmental and public health protection makes for an incredibly rewarding career.