Highlights: Concurrent with her fellowship, Julie is completing the 2nd year of her Master's degree program at Brandeis University in Sustainable International Development. Inspired by the novel Shantaram, Julie's passion for service in India began in 2011 when she served on multiple short term teams to support initiatives in rural southern India. There she helped support community initiatives and capacity building through micro-enterprise efforts with women and teaching English at a local school in rural Tamil Nadu. Prior to that, Julie served in the US Navy in Reactor department on the aircraft carrier, USS George Washington, and in Combat Systems department on the cruiser, USS Bunker Hill. She also taught and trained future Naval officers at the University of Notre Dame's ROTC program. Julie's service to her country and extensive travel abroad have shaped her into a global citizen with the desire to pursue a life of service to others. Through this fellowship, Julie hopes to help provide rural electrification solutions in order to alleviate energy poverty in West Bengal, India.