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At Seattle University, Environmental Studies students collaboratively engage with faculty, staff and the community to study and promote human-natural systems that are environmentally sustainable and socially just. In the Environmental Studies program, students will:
Learn the problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills needed to address today's pressing, contemporary environmental challenges
Engage with faculty from across disciplines to explore and understand the socio-economic, spiritual, ethical and biophysical complexities of human-environment systems
Integrate fieldwork and class work to investigate the social and ecological dimensions of sustainability
Specialize in a specific area of sustainability related to a professional field: Environmental Education and Communication; Politics, Policy and Justice; Urban Sustainability or Ecological Systems
Our cohesive program provides students the opportunity to conduct research with faculty renowned in their fields, work with practitioners and communities to address local and global environmental concerns, participate in experiential learning here in the United States and abroad and be part of our dynamic SU community through small classes, on-campus organizations and activities, and co-curricular events.
As part of the EVST curriculum, each student chooses to specialize in an area of environmental studies and sustainability. The specializations build upon the core EVST curriculum and prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop your specific field of interest.
EVST students gain pre-professional experience while completing a required Environmental Internship. They engage with the global classroom developing knowledge of diverse cultures through education abroad, fellowships and undergraduate research.
The online format of the Natural History class this quarter prevented us from having field sessions together. That didn't mean that Professor Liere's class couldn't share the observations they made during individual field trips. Each student was required to contribute at least 15 observations made during the quarter to a shared iNaturalist class project.
As noted by Dr. Liere, "iNaturalist is a social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe." Their app helps students identify the organisms around them. In addition, because it’s one of the world's most popular nature apps (according to their website), it enables students to get connected with a community of scientists and naturalists who can help them learn more about nature.
You can view the diversity of organisms our students recorder (562 observations and 400+ species!) at the SU iNaturalist site SU Natural History iNaturalist Project
Adilia is the 2021 recipient of the Hunthausen Award. The award is SU’s most prestigious honor, recognizing integrity, faith, leadership and a passion for learning in its recipients. Nominators describe Adilia Watson’s leadership as “truly grounded, rooted, and guided by love. Love of individual, love of community, love for social and environmental justice, and self-love.” Adilia is graduating with a BA in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Education and a Communication minor. Adilia served as a Student Involvement Ambassador and a mentor at Seattle’s Young Women Empowered, as well as a Doris Duke Conservation Scholar. Adilia co-created the first student-led endowed scholarship for Black and African-American students at Seattle U and has consistently worked collaboratively to create spaces for community and healing for students
