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Maya Hill: A global Buckeye changing the world through science

November 5, 2026

Video by Grant Steenholdt

Maya Hill came to Ohio State from a small town, unsure of where her college career would take her. What she found was a connected and welcoming community of Buckeyes, as well as a wealth of experiential learning opportunities that have enabled her to make the most of her college experience.

Maya recently shared a bit about her time at the university.

What made you choose Ohio State?

I chose Ohio State because it was a large university with a lot of different resources. And if I felt pigeonholed at any time, I could go off on a different path.

Has Ohio State turned out to be a good place for your major?

If you're interested in environmental science or studies, Ohio State (School of Environment and Natural Resources) is an excellent place for you. We have a lot of different laboratories, both indoors and outdoors, for you to explore. For example, we have a wetlands facility out in West Campus. Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory is another amazing place to do research. But most importantly, we have professors and researchers who go all around the world, collect their samples, collect their data, and then come back and analyze them at Ohio State.

“This year alone I've traveled to 12 countries.”Maya HillOhio State student

When did your global travel experiences begin?

My freshman year at orientation, I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). At that point, I had never left America, and I thought it would be the best opportunity to travel. It just branched out from there.

Maya Hill has had numerous study abroad opportunities while at Ohio State. During these experiences she's learned and connected with other Buckeyes, "I've been in Europe wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt and had someone yell ‘O-H’ to me, and I yelled ‘I-O’ right back," she said. (Ohio State)

What other global opportunities have you had through Ohio State?

I spent a semester at University College Dublin taking classes like Forestry and Soil Science and immersing myself in the culture. I've also had opportunities to conduct research in Antarctica, and I've traveled abroad for conferences, including my upcoming trip to the United Nations climate negotiations in Turkey.

Maya Hill has had a wide range of research opportunities at Ohio State. Her goal is to continue to expand her polar research and potentially get a master's degree or a Ph.D. (Ohio State)

What does your research focus on?

I'm working on a thesis as part of the honors program, and I'm looking at how chemical weathering changes in Antarctica. I will have many different samples, from sediment to water to ice, and I'll spend time preparing and analyzing them.

What has surprised you most about Ohio State?

How small it can feel at times. I came from a pretty small town, and I worried about coming to such a large city. But there are so many green spaces and quiet places on campus that I've found real peace in.

What is your favorite thing about being a Buckeye?

The community. If 10,000 people graduate every year, that means you have a huge community across the country and the world. I've been in Europe wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt and had someone yell "O-H" to me, and I yelled "I-O" right back. And that's kind of beautiful.

What's next for you after graduation?

I've gained so many skills and resources here that I know I'll make the right choice for myself. My opportunity to conduct research in polar settings has shown me that I want to continue with a master's, and potentially a Ph.D., researching polar geochemical cycling processes. I want to be outside; I want to be by glaciers.