“I didn’t know the field of environmental justice even existed until I met Jim Keady of Educating for Justice and heard him describe how female workers were treated in international sneaker sweatshops. I felt conflicted about the way I had lived my life, with an environmental orientation, while putting on my sneakers at night to play college basketball. I decided I wanted to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem, so I became active in the environmental justice movement.

“While working on projects through the Michigan Environmental Council, I met Professor Bunyan Bryant, who teaches in the School of Natural Resources and Environment. After talking with him about the school and the Environmental Justice field of study, I made a decision to apply.

“EJ encourages students to take an active role in their education by giving presentations, writing grants and working directly with faculty members on large-scale research projects. I like the fact that the faculty and students share the learning experience, which recognizes we both have much to learn from each other. The faculty have expanded and strengthened my interdisciplinary interests in many ways. Professor Thomas Gladwin’s course, “Systems Thinking for Sustainable Enterprise,” opened my eyes to the critical connections between environmental and social issues, and the role of business in addressing global change. I’ve applied what I learned to my interdisciplinary master’s project, “Planning for the Strategic Redevelopment of Downtown Detroit.” Also, Professor Steven Yaffee’s course, “Natural Resource Policy and Administration,” presented a comprehensive framework for understanding the policy-making process.

“Learning to become an effective change agent is important to me, and, as a woman, I would like to work in a position of power to impact key issues. Luckily, I’ve had amazing mentors, both at the University and in my personal and professional life, who have guided my growth and development. My career goals are as broad as my academic interests, but, at the moment, I am largely focused on improving the overall health of Detroit and southeast Michigan. My advice to prospective students is to come to Michigan, be prepared to work and follow your heart.”