About the Authors
Serena Campbell (Author): Author of The University Needs to Listen: Moving from Mainstream to Critical Environmentalism at UC Santa Cruz Serena Campbell graduated from UCSC in 2023 with a major in Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Serena had initially started her time at UCSC as an Environmental Studies and Sociology major, but her focus soon shifted to Environmental Justice. She decided to switch to a more intersectional discipline after taking a class with the History of Art and Visual Culture department. Her time in the Building Belonging program at UCSC allowed for her to participate in Environmental Justice research. Now, Serena is working to create a more equitable world. In addition to Environmental Justice, she cares deeply about educational inequities and mentorship. Her thesis was designed to give representation to the students of color in environmental fields on UCSC’s campus.
Efren Lopez (Author): Author of Land and Food: A conversation of liberation in Watsonville, CA. Efren Uriel Lopez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from UCSC, graduating in 2021. While at UCSC, he volunteered at several community gardens and youth programs in Watsonville. At River Park Garden, he witnessed and helped to achieve the liberation of the garden from a regional non-profit that planned to reconstruct the space, which would have displaced 110 families who relied on it for food. Despite several challenges posed by COVID-19, Efren navigated obstacles to ensure his mission was accomplished. His senior thesis exemplifies how immigrant communities can gain autonomy from neoliberal agents, and exists as a source of great inspiration.
Tina Milz (Author): Author of Propagating Discourse: Community Gardener Motivations in the California Central Coast. Tina Milz graduated from UCSC in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Tina’s experience as a USDA SUPERDAR Fellow (Supporting Undergraduates By Promoting Education, Research, Diversity, and Agricultural Resilience) inspired her to research sustainable agriculture and the hegemonic industrial food system. Tina won the Sociology of Race, Class, and Gender Senior Thesis Award for Propagating Discourse. Currently, Tina is working as a UX Researcher for Amazon, where she uses data to tell stories that help teams strategize and design products people want to use.
Cait Schilt (Author): Author of Pollution, Poverty, and Environmental Justice: A Case Study on Chevron Co. Refinery in Richmond, CA, Cait Schilt graduated from UCSC in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Environmental studies plus a minor in Politics. As the previous editor in chief of the GEJ Journal, it was an honor to have her senior thesis included in this year’s edition. Schilt aims to spread awareness of environmental matters and human rights through academic writing. With a passion for environmental justice and educational inclusivity, we look forward to watching Schilt succeed throughout her future endeavors.
Tashina Vavuris (Author): Author of Community Environmental Health, Sustainability and Environmental Justice: UCSC Student Perspectives, Experiences, and Values. Tashina is a PhD student in the environmental studies department whose research interests include a combination of pedagogical practices, environmental sustainability, and community engagement practices. Looking forward, their work will be focused on the relationship between sustainability and decolonial education and synthesizing these elements into a course. Tashina was a 2020 winner of the Blum Scholar Grant Award for her work with Youth Leadership for Environmental Justice in Low-Income, Latinx Communities in CA.
Cassandra Wood (Author): Cassandra Wood authored two texts in this year’s edition including Consequences of Los Angeles Climate Change Plans and co-authored Community Environmental Health. Woods is passionate about caring for women, children, and those most vulnerable to climate injustice. She received her Bachelors in Environmental Studies at UCSC and is now working towards her masters in Urban and Regional Planning at UCLA.
