In Their Words: John Armstrong

Name: John Armstrong

Department: Environmental Studies

What Award/Scholarship did you receive? David Gaines Award in Environmental Studies

What year do you expect to graduate? 2020

Where do you call home? I’m from upstate New York.

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? I was drawn to UC Santa Cruz’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and environmental problem solving.

What is your field of focus? Environmental policy with a focus on what local governments can do to address climate change.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I look forward to continue working on important environmental issues, especially renewable energy and climate change policymaking.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? I really appreciate how the university engages the community with research, and I love seeing long lines of people waiting to get into climate change science lectures – such as this year's Climate Science and Policy Conference with its focus on climate justice.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Make time for your school/work, to engage with an issue at the school or in the community that matters to you (like sustainability practices and environmental justice), and to pursue a fun activity in beautiful Santa Cruz.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life/research? The David Gaines Award will support my travel and research to examine policymaking processes and decisions about renewable energy and climate change in communities around California.