25th Anniversary - Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program

25th Anniversary

Environmental & Sustainability Studies turns 25 this year! Founded in 1998, the program has become a model of interdisciplinary undergraduate education focusing on the intersection of environmental science, justice, and sustainability.

We are encouraging Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, and anyone else who would like, to share about their academic experience with Environmental and Sustainability Studies. How has ENVST impacted you personally and/or professionally?

Your story and photos will be archived and shared through our communcation channels as part of our celebration. Storytelling is such a powerful way to preserve the legacy and tradition of this program and we're so grateful for your support!

What I liked the most about the ENVST program was the autonomy to build the kind of degree I wanted. I chose more of a biology/ecology focus when choosing classes, but could have easily focused more on policy, education, or whatever else I wanted. The wide breadth of academics and experiences has prepared me to be in so many different fields. One experieince that exemplifies this was the capstone camping trip. There was a good mix of fieldwork and discussion mixed in with outdoor fun that made it a perfect ending to the program.

- Chris Reisinger, Class of 2022

I switched to a Sustainability major in my sophomore year of college and it was the best decision! The classes are so captivating and applicable to the world today. Being surrounded by innovative and creative students with passion for sustainable solutions, kept me motivated and excited to come to class. My favorite thing about the program was the required classed to graduate were essentially electives in other colleges. For example, a core class needed to graduate was environmental law and this was in the poly- science department. Or the class on climate change was in the geology department. The collection of classes pieced together provided a multidisciplinary perspective of what sustainability should look like. It gave me a realistic expectation of environmental issues and the possible controversy in everyday solutions. It equipped me with the understanding of how to communicate to people about the urgency of our environmental crisis when they don't share the same passion I have. Ultimately this program confirmed I was in the right place. I want to continue on and get my masters in watershed science

- Taylor Dewey, Class of 2021

For as long as I can remember, I never knew where I was going career wise. I knew that an education was important and wanted to pursue a degree but I had no idea where to start. Due to a few situations, I found myself living on my own, hundreds of miles away from my previous support system. As I was working full time, and supporting myself financially for the first-time college seemed to be more of a burden than it was worth. I spent nearly two years barely taking enough credits to keep my admissions status active at the University. I jumped from major to major, trying a few courses until I lost interest or the funding to continue. Fast forward a few months, I decided that I should look into online programs that the University offered. Ones that allowed enough freedom that I could still work full time, and reach my educational goals. Only one program piqued my interest. Being that was the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program. I emailed one of the advisors and scheduled a time to go through the ins and outs of the degree. Little did I know, registration opened up for me early the next morning. I jumped right in and hit the ground running. The lessons that I learned from this degree have shaped my understanding of the world around me in a way that I was not prepared for. Through the material taught in this program, I found my passion. I never dreaded my coursework. In fact, I would spend hours talking about climate change and environment to anyone that would listen. This program provided me with the understanding that more is required of our population. It been the motivating factor in my local activism. It encouraged me to continue my schooling to become an advocate for our planet. This degree changed the trajectory of my career and showed me that success is not determined by the amount of money in your pocket, but by the amount wrongs one successfully corrects.

- Cody Sharp, Class of 2023

After spending over a decade in the oil and gas industry, I found myself feeling burnt out and unfulfilled in my career. Despite my efforts and dedication, I hit a glass ceiling in terms of earning potential and career advancement. That’s when I knew it was time for a change, and I decided to return to school as a non-traditional student. If I were to switch my career, I knew I wanted to pursue something I was passionate about. Driven by my love for nature, I decided to enroll in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program at the University of Utah. Upon completing the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program, I not only gained the knowledge and skills necessary to transition into a new career but also rediscovered my passion for meaningful work. Shortly after graduation, I secured a management role overseeing the Environmental program for a heavy civil and industrial engineering firm that operates throughout the entire United States. In this role, I have had the opportunity to work on numerous fascinating projects, ranging from energy, mining, transportation to water conveyance. I have been involved in the construction and demolition of airports, dams, bridges, highways, railroads, and more. Additionally, I have managed projects related to wetland mitigation, endangered and threatened species, invasive and noxious weed management, clean air, and water acts, among others. The breadth and diversity of the projects I have worked on have allowed me to utilize almost every discipline that my education has exposed me to. This has been an incredibly fulfilling experience and has enabled me to make a positive impact on the environment while expanding my professional horizons. Since the transition, my earning potential has grown exponentially, and I've discovered a profound sense of fulfillment in my work. I remain grounded and appreciative of the opportunities that my education has afforded me. I know that I didn’t get here on my own. I am happy in my current role and take pride in all that I've accomplished. Looking back on my journey, I'm proud of how far I've come and grateful for the chance to make a difference in the world.

- Joe Caldwell, Class of 2019

One of the largest impacts that the program had on me was the projects which forced me to get more involved with my community. One that stands out for me was when we took a trip to Alta where we help with tree management. It was great because I got to use things I learned out in the real world. Also it gave ample time to connect with my classmates which is really where the magic was. Instead of being stuck in class we discussed what brought us into the program, what we cared about and even connected on projects outside of school.

Upcoming Events of Celebration:

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Birthday Party!

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023

3PM - 5PM

ENVST Office, Gardner Commons 4540

We invite students to join us in the ENVST offices for pizza and cupcakes! Come talk with other students, ask questions about the department, and celebrate Environmental and Sustainability Studies' 25th Birthday!

ENVST Coffee Hours

coffee hour poster

View PDF version HERE.

Alumni Event

Thursday, November 9th, 2023

5PM - 7PM

Check back soon for location!

Global Change & Sustainability Center Seminar Series

The Global Change & Sustainability Center coordinates, promotes, and accelerates interdisciplinary research and training on natural and human-built systems, the dynamic interactions and interconnections that exist in those systems, and the role of humans in the environment.