Essie Ladkau is an intern with Ithaka S+R’s Educational Transformation Program. She is currently working on a project to help low-income students access resources for basic needs to support them through degree completion. Essie is a PhD candidate in history at the University of Michigan. Her research focus is on environmental history, with an emphasis on premodern Japan. Essie holds a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.