Environmental Studies and Sciences

A student looks into a microscope

The Environmental Studies & Sciences Program at Rhodes College offers an innovative curriculum that allows students to combine study in social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and fine arts. The program encourages a personalized combination of interdisciplinary coursework and a sustained examination of global and local contexts environmental issues from many perspectives.

Maymesters are unique opportunities to study off-campus or abroad with Rhodes professors who are experts in their fields. Here, Dr. Michael Collins and Spring Smith '21 talk about Rhodes' Maymester in Namibia.

Prof. Jennifer Sciubba interviewed Dr. Cary Fowler about his work to conserve crop diversity. The Steve and Riea Lainoff Crop Trust Fellowship in Honor of Cary Fowler provides funding for a recent Rhodes College graduate to work at the Crop Trust in Bonn, Germany for 12 months after graduation.

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Awards and Fellowships

Learn about the awards Environmental Studies and Sciences gives  to outstanding students each year.

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Internships and Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to perform internships and study abroad to enhance their academic studies and provide meaningful connections “beyond the gates.”

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Program Accolades and Accomplishments

News about faculty and students in the Environmental Studies and Sciences Program at Rhodes.

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Why Rhodes?

Learn more about the unique qualities of the program for preparing students to be leaders in the 21st century, when environmental questions are increasingly pressing.

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Faculty & Staff

Raina Belleau
Assistant Professor of Art & Art History
Erin Bodine
Associate Professor of Mathematics, Associate Chair
Sarah Boyle
Associate Professor of Biology, Chair of Environmental Studies and Sciences
Michael Collins
Associate Professor of Biology
William Eckenhoff
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Elaine Frawley
Associate Professor of Biology
Judith Haas
Associate Professor of English
Jeffrey Jackson
Professor of History
Tait Keller
Associate Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History
Laura Loth
Associate Professor, Chair of Modern Languages & Literatures, Head of Section - French
Sydney Moyo
Assistant Professor of Biology
Elizabeth Pettinaroli
Associate Professor - Spanish; Chair, Latin American and Latinx Studies
Brooke Schedneck
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Jennifer Dabbs Sciubba
Associate Professor of International Studies - On Leave
Rebecca Tuvel
Associate Professor and Chair, Philosophy
Shaolu Yu
Associate Professor of Urban Studies

 

 

Departmental News and Events

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Rhodes College has become a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an organization that empowers faculty, administrators, staff, and students in making strides for a more sustainable future. AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way that encompasses human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. Membership covers every individual at an institution so that the entire campus can take advantage of member benefits.
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Environmental science major Claire McGuire ’20 was a member of a research team at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, in 2018, focused on recording and analyzing microplastic pollution in New England salt marshes. Now, she is one of the authors of “Salt Marsh Sediments Act As Sinks For Microplastics And Reveal Effects Of Current And Historical Land Use Changes” published in the international peer-reviewed journal Environmental Advances.
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Five Rhodes students—Seongjoon Hwang ’21, Meredith Bacue ’21, Aaron Weist ’21, Joe Hernandez ’21, and Khanh Ton ’23—won awards for their geographic information system research projects presented as part of Memphis Area Geographic Information Council’s virtual event held this spring.
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