Hello! My name is Alexsis and in addition to being
a student, I am a mother, a cat lover, an avid
reader, a death enthusiast, and a tree climber. I
am double majoring in Sustainable Horticulture
and Landscape Horticulture at Cincinnati State
Technical and Community College and am working
toward my ISA Certified Arborist credential.
Horticulture is my second career; after a 10-year
tenure as a bartender, I was ready for a big change.
In an interesting twist of fate, the pandemic
gave me the time to truly explore my inter-
ests. By getting back into reading, volunteering
opportunities, and getting outside for hiking and
camping trips, kayaking, and climbing, I rediscov-
ered my passion for science and the outdoors.
My greatest turning point was on a hot summer
day. I was working on a project as a land steward
at the natural burial ground and sanctuary,
Heritage Acres, riding the zero-turn mower, and
admiring the flock of European Starlings following
the mower (taking advantage of the opportu-
nity to get at all of the bugs I had disturbed)
when it hit me: I want the mosaic of my life to be
filled with little moments in flow with nature.
I started with an AmeriCorps program; it was an
intensive introduction to the non-profit world that
taught me a lot of valuable lessons. I also explored
mortuary college as an avenue, since I've had such
positive experiences working at Heritage Acres. I find
the natural burial movement incredibly inspiring and
have immense respect for the movement to create
an inviting space in harmony with nature where our
bodies can be returned to the earth. The mortuary
college required at least an associate's degree for
enrollment, so I turned my eye to Cincinnati State,
which led me to apply to their horticulture program.
Alexsis Perrmann is double majoring in Sustainable
Horticulture and Landscape Horticulture at Cincinnati
State Technical and Community College.
Alexsis Perrmann
I want the mosaic of
with little moments
16 CityTREES
