The St. Edward’s School of Behavior and Social Sciences in coordination with the Office of Sustainability has filled the Sustainability Graduate Assistant position by current Master’s of Environmental Management and Sustainability student Christine Lacayo. The position will entail assisting the Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS) School and the Office of Sustainability research and implement sustainable practices on campus, develop web and blog content, assist with program development for undergraduate and graduate environmentally-focused degrees and act as a liaison between student groups and the sustainability staff.
Christine is a part of the third cohort of the newly implemented Professional Science Master in Environmental Management and Sustainability (MSEM) program. This ambitious program has students propose and conduct a semester-long study relating to what environmental interest a student may have. This is complemented in the second year by taking sustainability classes at the Université catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France followed by a full-time international internship. Although challenging, the program is also a rewarding and exciting experience for all involved.
Christine is highly interested in beginning her research project this year on examining the ways to establish biological standards on the water quality and quantity of the Lower Colorado River. As the Sustainability Graduate Assistant she looks forward to establishing a St. Edward’s Sustainability Video Team in order to showcase the various green initiatives and events happening around campus.
Some of Christine’s future goals include establishing and enforcing a trash and recycling system along coastal towns of underdeveloped countries as well as continuing her efforts with her mother to expand their recently launched small group travel company called Dream Your Journey. The company is a strong proponent in responsible travel with eco-friendly lodging, local guides, organic cuisine, as well as area-specific philanthropies. Guests will have the chance of leaving a large impact on the well being of the local community and zero impact on environmental destruction. Christine hopes to incorporate media as an outlet in order to educate the public on all of these environmental projects and more specifically on our ocean’s declining health.
With her research and future endeavors, Christine hopes to create awareness, drive positive change, and inspire our society to become a part of the solution for the critical water and environmental issues we face around the world.