- MEM Management Concentration: Community Engagement and Environmental Justice (CEEJ)
- MEM Environment Concentration: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE)
- Expected Graduation Date: May 2025
What is your previous work experience?
During my time as an undergraduate at Santa Clara University, I gained valuable research experiences primarily focused on sustainable food systems and environmental justice. These experiences included studying justice-oriented emergency food responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, a quantitative analysis of how people with disabilities respond to natural disasters, developing a women's economic empowerment curriculum for agricultural social enterprises in East Africa, and researching the ethical implications of ESG. After graduation, I completed a year of service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest/AmeriCorps in Anchorage, Alaska. As the Client-Choice Coordinator at Anchorage's largest food pantry, I created food sovereignty programs designed to address challenges of individual preference, health/dietary needs, and cultural specificity in their drive-thru food pantry model.
Why did you choose the Nicholas School?
The Nicholas School stood out during my graduate school search for many reasons. The new curriculum design with dual concentrations was very attractive to me because I knew that I wanted an interdisciplinary degree. I have found that the best solutions to environmental problems come when science closely interacts with systems of justice, and the Nic School is one of the best places to be a part of that dialogue.
What are you looking forward to as an incoming Nicholas School student?
I am excited to be surrounded by other people who are passionate about learning more about the environment and figuring out how to protect it. With the flexible curriculum and wide diversity of students, I'm eager to explore new passions and gain expertise with people from all academic backgrounds. I also look forward to collecting new skills that will help me build a professional foundation for engaging with communities on environmental issues in ways that are ethical, reciprocal and sustainable.
Do you have any areas of interest or special focus you will undertake during your time at the Nicholas School?
I hope to continue my focus on environmental justice, food systems, and agroecology. I am also planning on pursuing a certificate in International Development Policy through the Sanford School of Public Policy to gain a global perspective on environmental issues and acquire supplemental skills in policy and economics.
What are your current career aspirations?
While at the Nic School I plan to engage in further vocational discernment about how I can pursue a career in environmental justice. After graduation, I see myself engaging with community-based organizations on sustainable agriculture initiatives and helping them work towards climate resilience.