Simone Schneider

What are your majors? Environmental studies and people-environment geography, with certificates in public policy and global health

Expected graduation: May 2024

What inspired your interest in the environment and/or community? My interest in the environment stems from my own love for the outdoors and my positive experiences in it growing up. My passion for the field comes from this in combination with a want to achieve social justice. Through courses and seeing issues in my own community, I realized not everyone experiences the environment in the same way, and it often is used as a tool by those more affluent to negatively impact marginalized communities. I’m inspired by past and present environmental justice movements, that are so often community led, to pursue this field and help protect the environmental rights of everyone.