Station: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Years Served: 2013-2014

Hometown: Loudoun County, Virginia

Pre-Fellowship Education:

• Master of Civil Engineering, Transportation from University of Delaware
• Bachelor of Civil Engineering from University of Delaware

Bio: Elisa (Kropat) Mitchell served as the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Transportation Fellow. She worked in Florida’s space coast expanding public transit and non-motorized transportation access to Merritt Island with a goal of enhancing visitors’ experience while minimizing impact to the habitat. With experience working on transportation planning projects in the private and public sectors prior to her fellowship, her background provided guidance on developing bus systems and maintaining refuge roadways. Eager to put her education to work and her passion for preserved lands, she was excited by this opportunity to collaborate with the Merritt Island staff as well as with local agencies to augment the refuge’s transportation system and its connections to surrounding areas.

Current Position (2024): Transportation Engineer at RS&H

Other Post-Fellowship Education/Job(s):

• Transportation Engineer at Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP
• Transportation Engineer/Planner at Sabra, Wang & Associates, Inc.; ITE Leadership Program