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Immigration Rights and Resources for the Campus Community

Portrait of Lauren Zika

Environmental Studies, B.A. | Class of

Lauren Zika

AmeriCorps VISTA

Employer: EmpowHer

Job description: I recruit, onboard, manage, and train volunteers to mentor BIPOC girls in LA County through a school-based, social-emotional learning curriculum. I conduct best practice research to ensure the sustainability of the volunteer database and platform. I create retention strategies for volunteer mentors to become an alumni network.

About Lauren

Why did you choose this program?

I chose environmental studies to bridge the gap between my interest in sustainability and community engagement to my passion for STEAM. Plus, I simply was inspired by the website overview, faculty, and beauty of the campus. I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do going into my undergraduate career, and I feel a lot more confident in what I want to gravitate towards as I reach 25 years around the sun.

How did this program prepare you for your job?

Through an interdisciplinary lens, this program provided me an insight into advocacy and community organizing that supplemented my next steps in youth development, education, and mentorship. Discussion on positionality, cognitive dissonance, and environmental racism shaped my perspectives in working within the education and nonprofit sphere. Listening with the intent to understand, grow, and empathize rather than the intent to respond encompassed my pursuit in jobs surrounding youth development. Our next generation of leaders!

What did you enjoy most about the program?

I enjoyed the professors immensely. Many were the reason I would get out of bed and attend lectures. There were too many areas of concentration to choose from since I absolutely LOVE the collaboration of classes from a wide range of departments.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

Explore your decision to choose either a B.A. or a B.S. in environmentalism. Environmental Studies has the full perspective and can expose you to all intersections and commonalities. It is the full scope. Be prepared to grow and unlearn what you have thought to be true.


Thanks for being you, Dr. Ray!