Back in 1994, some Wake Forest faculty noticed a gap in environmental studies and science. At that time, students could only minor in these areas. Fast forward to the last five years, and the Environment and Sustainability Studies (ENV) Program has bloomed. The university now offers two majors: environment and sustainability studies and environmental science.
This growth reflects students’ rising interest in these fields, pushing beyond traditional hard science. ENV, which started under the biology program, has now become its own vibrant department.
A New Chapter
Since Dr. Stephen Smith joined the ENV department in 2020, the program’s progress has been impressive. What began with just one postdoctoral fellow has expanded to a team of six dedicated faculty members focused on teaching and research.
Smith, who teaches courses on climate change and earth science, believes the program’s mission is to create a sustainable and equitable future. He emphasizes integrating justice into environmental studies and community engagement within the curriculum.
Connecting with Nature
Dr. Julie Velásquez Runk, the first woman to lead the department, took the reins in 2020. Her research on reforesting native species in Costa Rica highlights the need for better connections between people and nature.
She identifies a common misconception: that humans are separate from nature. By broadening the curriculum, the program aims to shift this perspective, focusing on the bonds between people and the environment.
New courses like Environmental Issues include modern texts, such as Leah Thomas’s “The Intersectional Environmentalist,” which challenges traditional environmental studies that mainly focus on the natural world.
A Broader Perspective
One of the program’s key initiatives is the Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative (EEJI). Funded by the Mellon Foundation, this project connects students, scholars, activists, and journalists to explore how race affects both academic practices and public policies.
This approach encourages students to move beyond traditional classrooms and engage with the community. Smith pointed out that though Wake Forest is in Winston-Salem, its influence and identity reach far beyond campus borders.
Faculty members prioritize this community engagement when hiring new staff. They look for candidates who can teach subjects related to their research and the program’s focus on hands-on learning.
Visiting professors also add to the program’s depth. In spring 2023, Assistant Professor Amanda Sames taught a food justice class that combined practical experience with theoretical concepts, culminating in a community cookbook made from vegetables grown by students.
Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Ovidiu Csillik, who specializes in remote sensing, joined the team in 2024 after a postdoctoral fellowship at NASA. His current work uses advanced technology to monitor tropical forests.
Looking to the future, Velásquez Runk stressed the need for critical thinking around remote sensing data. The next faculty hire will focus on theoretical approaches to space analysis.
With all these developments, students and faculty are excited about the future of the ENV program. Velásquez Runk assures students that the faculty’s goal is their success and employability while also fostering a meaningful engagement with the global environmental challenges.
