Spring 2020

Course Description

Given systemic barriers, students of color often from politically marginalized communities do not have the same access to pursuing a professional environmental career, especially in terms of social connections and guidance in higher education and professional careers. This challenge is a barrier for young leaders to be advocates of their own futures in their communities. This course, now formally adopted by the California Outdoor Engagement Coalition within the College of Natural Resources as a result of student activism and partnership, is meant to create a meaningful pathway and method of creating intergenerational connections and equipping future leaders with tools to fight against environmental destruction and advance environmental justice. Over the course of the semester, students will get the opportunity to work towards academic, career, and personal development with the guidance of an older mentor of color in a professional environmental career. After the initial stage of setting goals in the first phase of class, students will work on accomplishing these goals with meetups, classes, and check-ins through biweekly themes: dreams, community/identity, action, self-actualization, and self-care. Students will learn from engaging in group discussions and collaborative learning, one on one instruction and check ins, reflection writing assignments, events and mentor meetups.