The Environmental Studies program is designed to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to studying the environment. As such, it both complements and embodies the liberal arts aim of combining strengths of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to prepare students to be well-equipped citizens in an increasingly globalized world. Core requirements for Environmental Studies majors are designed to fit requirements for graduate programs in Environmental Studies or related fields while the electives allow students to specialize in their particular interests.

The learningÌýgoals of the Environmental Studies program areÌý

• Explain the structure and dynamics of the natural world
• Recognize ways in which human beings are a part of and interact with the natural world
• Describe world views and values that guide humans as they interact with the natural world
• Discuss forms of sustainable community life
• Synthesize methods of inquiry from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Alumni Highlights- 2020

Dillon Blankenship ’12 – Environmental Scientist – Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation – Nashville, TennesseeÌý

ÌýÌý

AfterÌýºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ,ÌýIÌýstudiedÌýbeekeeping culturesÌýaround the globeÌýwith a Watson Fellowship, restoredÌýcorn fields to native, mixed-grass prairies with The Nature Conservancy, and conductedÌýstream assessments in remote canyons and mountain rangesÌýwith the Bureau of Land Management.ÌýNextÌýIÌýearnedÌýaÌýmaster’s degree inÌýbotany (and a GISÌýcertificate) and a watershed modeling internship with NASA.ÌýIÌýnow work for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Resources as an Environmental Scientist. TheÌýEVSTÌýmajor providedÌýmeÌýwith a broad education – from economics and philosophy to statistics and chemistry – that familiarizedÌýmeÌýwith fundamental conceptsÌýfromÌýmany disciplines. Experiencing these fields through an environmental lens made the subjects applicable to the thingsÌýIÌýcare about and helpedÌýmeÌýthink more critically about the complexity of environmental issues. If you can synthesize the knowledge from your coursework and undertake internships or projects that align with your environmental interests, the EVST major will prepare you for whichever academic or professional endeavors you wish to pursue beyond ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.Ìý

Madison PittsÌý’15Ìý– Attorney –ÌýArkansas Department of Environmental QualityÌý– Little Rock,ÌýArkansasÌý

The EVST program helped meÌýrealize the importance of environmental law in shaping and effectuating environmental policy.ÌýFollowing ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, IÌýattended the William H. Bowen School of LawÌýat theÌýUniversity of ArkansasÌýat Little Rock with the goal of becoming an environmentalÌýattorney. I was an activeÌýmember of the Bowen Environmental Law Society and became the president of the organizationÌýin myÌýfinal year of law school. After graduating from law school cum laude,ÌýIÌýbecame a licensed Arkansas attorney.ÌýI am nowÌýan attorney for the Office of Chief Counsel in the newly created Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment. IÌýpractice in many areas of environmental law with a focus in air and oil and gas law.

Marley Halter ’16 –ÌýCommunity Garden Manager –ÌýAuburn UniversityÌý–ÌýAuburn,ÌýAlabama

After ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ,ÌýIÌýwent straight to into the graduate program at the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University. After graduating withÌýaÌýmaster’sÌýdegree,ÌýIÌýmoved to Auburn, Alabama,Ìýand startedÌýmyÌýsustainable agriculture career as the manager of the Community Garden at Auburn University.ÌýMyÌýexperience with the Environmental Studies program at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ preparedÌýmeÌýespecially well for graduate school. ItÌýalso helpedÌýmeÌýfigure out whatÌýIÌýamÌýpassionate about and gaveÌýmeÌýthe resources and supportÌýIÌýneeded to make a career out of those passions!Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý