Why study Environmental Studies at MC?
Are you ready to help the planet? Are you ready to learn how to make money while creating a green business? Do you see yourself studying ecology in the rainforests of Costa Rica, or rural development in Africa, or doing field work on air quality and forests in the Great Smoky Mountains? Would you like to teach environmental education to the next generation of students, or write land, air, and water or energy policy in Washington, DC? Would like to help create the next set of renewable energy projects in East Tennessee? The Environmental Studies (ENV) major provides you with a wide-ranging set of skills that prepares you to tackle planet-wide issues of sustainability, ecology, green building, environmental business practices and non-governmental advocacy of environmental issues.
The ENV Major is housed in the Social Sciences, insuring that you will gain a strong background in economics, politics, sociology and business from a North American and global perspective. The other courses in the major are in math, the humanities, education and the natural sciences, where you will gain skills in analyzing data, best practices in laboratory and field sciences, and environmental education training. As one of the only majors at MC with a required practicum, you will be expected to take your knowledge and apply it in the world beyond campus. Students have interned at any one of over 20 environmental wildlife, renewable energy, air, and water or soil organizations. ENV graduates work at the US Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Tennessee, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in a variety of large and small businesses developing efficient, sustainable products and processes. We have ENV graduates who are practicing lawyers and ENV graduates who currently patrol and guide visitors and rangers for the US National Park Service. Come and be a part of our world.
Meet a Current Scot Recent Grad
Hayley Harmon
Hometown: Harrison, Ohio
Hayley is double-majoring in Biology and Environmental Studies and double-minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies. She chose MC because of its geographical setting, small class sizes and opportunities for hands-on learning. She is volunteering with the American Chestnut Foundation via the College’s Natural Sciences Division. “I absolutely love the Environmental Studies program because the interdisciplinary focus will better enable me to solve the complex, modern environmental issues facing communities all around the world.”
After graduation, she hopes to work in land management, wetland restoration, environmental health, LEED certification, traditional scientific research or environmental policy. “Ideally, I would be some type of consultant who could help individuals and communities live more sustainably.”
Meet a Recent Grad
Emily Guillaume ‘15
Currently: Associate Attorney, Troutman Pepper Law Firm (Environment & Natural Resources Group), Richmond, Virginia
After graduating from MC, Emily earned both a master’s of public administration degree and law degree from Indiana University. As a full-time associate with Troutman Pepper, she helps clients navigate environmental laws and regulations, including compliance, permitting and due diligence.
“Beyond core environmental classes that taught me the basics of environmental law and policy, MC was integral in teaching me how to see issues from multiple perspectives and to think critically – skills that are invaluable in the legal field,” she said. “MC also honed my research, writing and communication skills, which I use on a daily basis. But above all, MC provided me an interdisciplinary, foundational education on which you can learn anything. I think that’s like a superpower.”
