In Their Words: Deanna Davidson

Name: Deanna Davidson

Department: Environmental Studies

Scholarship: James Stuart Chanley Award

Year: 3rd year transfer

College: Kresge

Where do you call home? I grew up in Watsonville, here in the county.

What is your field of focus? I am hoping to focus my studies on environmental and food justice as well as environmental education.

What made UCSC stand out? I knew I wanted to attend a school that had a strong focus on sustainability, and UCSC had a lot to offer; nestled in the redwoods with dozens of environmental programs and organizations to get involved in, this university was hard to pass! Additionally, I decided being able to attend university in the county I grew up in would give me the unique opportunity of learning about and getting involved with my community in a different way.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? Last quarter, I had the opportunity to study on the CCAFS farm through an agroecology lab. One memorable moment was getting to harvest the kale and chard from the plots we had been studying all quarter. This lab was the most hands-on of any learning experience I've had so far in school, and getting to take home some greens at the end was a great reward!

How will this scholarship/award impact your academic life/research? I am hoping to participate in Natural History Field Quarter this spring and a UCEAP program called "Socio-Ecological Sustainability in Southern Chile" in the fall. This scholarship is going to help me pay for the additional costs of these programs that aren't covered by financial aid. I am hoping these programs will enhance my skills as a naturalist and environmental educator and allow me to learn about sustainability from different perspectives.