Please tell us about your degree and what you are studying.
I’m currently finishing up my Masters degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education (MSOEE). The majority of my time here at APU, I’ve had a focus on agricultural education. My first experience with farming was at Spring Creek Farm here at APU and since then it has been all I can think about. I just finished defending my thesis which focused on studying critical thinking skills within farm internships and agricultural education. My aim is for the results to guide farm managers and coordinators on effective educational methods to enhance the impact of the farm internships they offer.
Why did you choose APU?
I visited Alaska for the first time in 2014 on vacation with my parents and I fell in love with it. Growing up in South Carolina was a completely different environmental experience. The landscape really left a lasting impression on me because I though about it for the next 6 years. When I started looking for graduate programs, the first place I looked was in Alaska because I knew I wanted to come back. I found APU and the MSOEE program and it seemed like the perfect fit for me. After talking with Steve Rubinstein, the program director of MSOEE, I knew I would put in all my effort to get to Alaska and attend APU. I’ve never regretted my decision.
What was your favorite aspect of studying at APU?
From the moment I got to APU I have felt welcomed. To study among such an amazing community of people has been inspiring. APU has given me the opportunity to meet and learn from so many interesting and passionate people. People who care about the environment, their peers, local food, and creating change.
Reflecting on your time at APU, what stands out as the most memorable or impactful part of your campus life or learning experience?
I lived out on the Kellogg Campus for 3 of my 4 years at APU and I could not have asked for a better home. Not everyone knows we have a campus out in Palmer and that the school has a farm out there. To be able to live, work, and study on such an amazing piece of land was such a privilege. Being surrounded by so much nature and beauty reminded me every day why I had driven across the country to get here.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I’m currently working at Alaska Seeds of Change a hydroponics greenhouse which acts as a vocational program for transition-aged youth in the Anchorage community. I love the work being done there and I’ve already learned so much. I hope to continue my work there while also expanding my knowledge of agricultural education practices. Further into the future I’d like to work towards opening my own farming and ecology center that focuses on education and mental health for LGBTQ+ farmers.
