Meet Our Majors

 

Graham Luethe

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: UEP; minor: biology

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere? 

As a sophomore, I did an independent study project guided by Professors Sharon Cech and Rosa Romero to replace the lawn in front of the 1541 Urban and Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) building with a Native Habitat Garden. This project incorporated my love for plants (especially the beautiful native plants of Southern California) with sustainability initiatives at Occidental and in Los Angeles. Thanks to supportive staff and faculty in the UEP department and institute this project was a success.

I knew that I wanted to focus my studies on something that would allow me to address our changing climate and UEP has shown me an actionable and community-centered approach for doing so.

What do you find most compelling about studying UEP?

UEP highlights an exciting and promising future amidst the reality of global climate change. Going into college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies on something that would allow me to address our changing climate and UEP has shown me an actionable and community-centered approach for doing so. During my UEP & UEPI Urban Agriculture summer internship, I worked with a local urban farm and was inspired by the work being done within the L.A. community to fight climate change through localized food systems. This opportunity has provided a crucial context for the rest of my education at Oxy and its relationship to the broader L.A. community. 

If you care about sustainability and are interested in the role that policy plays you will love the UEP curriculum and all that comes along with it!

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in UEP?

UEP is a great major because there is truly so much you can do with it. The classes cover broad topics and integrate interdisciplinary and community-based learning throughout. If you care about sustainability and are interested in the role that policy plays you will love the UEP curriculum and all that comes along with it!

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Simone Origel (she/her)

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: UEP; minors: studio art and public health

What was your motivation to major in UEP?

My motivation to major in UEP was based on my interest in making urban environments more accessible places to live in. The summer before my first year at Oxy, I remember reading an article in the New York Times titled “When There’s Arsenic in the Water, but ‘We Have Nowhere to Go’.” The article discusses the repercussions of consuming contaminated water and how it affects marginalized communities specifically in the East Coachella Valley. I remember questioning how such disparities could exist in proximity to where a music festival such as Coachella can generate millions of dollars in revenue and yet communities nearby don’t have safe drinking water to consume.

I find the ability to understand the environments we inhabit and the disparities that exist within them very compelling.

Can you describe your working relationships with UEP professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?

I have loved every UEP class I’ve taken thus far! In my experience, all of the professors have been receptive to hearing input from students and seem very dedicated to improving our understanding of the subject material.

What do you find most compelling about studying UEP?

I find the ability to understand the environments we inhabit and the disparities that exist within them very compelling. I have particularly loved learning about the environmental justice movement.

What is the “vibe” of the UEP department?

I would say the “vibe” of the UEP department is generally very supportive and dedicated to helping the communities around us!

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Jackson Beermann

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: UEP; minor: religious studies

What was your motivation to major in UEP?

I became a UEP major after coming to Oxy originally intending to major in Diplomacy and World Affairs. I made the switch after realizing that I could affect the most change on smaller levels of governance. I particularly am drawn to the sociable nature of UEP studies and the community-oriented and place-based solutions to environmental justice issues.

Can you describe your working relationships with UEP professors?

I have developed great relationships with a number of professors in the UEP department, and have worked with the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) more generally in some of my extracurricular activities as well. These relationships have offered me invaluable career, academic, and life guidance, and I am very thankful to have these connections! My Senior Comps Seminar as well as Food and the Environment classes have been very helpful in shaping my relationships and academic interests also.

I am interviewing a number of stakeholders ... and was even able to apply for an ASP research travel grant to conduct two site visits of regenerative farms alongside these interviews!

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere? Or, if applicable, can you describe your senior comps project?

I am conducting my senior comps research on regenerative livestock agriculture in California, and what exactly stands in the way of a larger transition to such friendly agro-ecological practices. I am interviewing a number of stakeholders to determine these factors, and was even able to apply for an ASP research travel grant to conduct two site visits of regenerative farms alongside these interviews! The entire process has been super enjoyable and meaningful, and provided me with numerous connections for my professional life.

 

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