Madison Bankosh

Name:  Madison Bankosh

College: Stevenson

Department: Environmental Studies, Sociology/Latin American Studies

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? James Stuart Chanley Scholarship in Environmental Studies

What year do you expect to graduate? Spring of 2021

Where do you call home?  San Jose, California

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?  The Environmental Studies department with its opportunities to study agroecology, along with the beautiful campus in the redwoods.

What is your field of focus?  Agroecology, traditional ecological knowledge, food sovereignty, community based research, migration and displacement.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?  Some sort of work or research geared towards food sovereignty.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here?  Studying abroad in Cuba to learn about its food system and agroecological practices! We spent a few weeks doing various site visits, learning from farmers across the island. My research was based on conversations I had with individuals throughout the trip, and focused on the similarities and differences between rural vs urban perspectives, and youth vs elder perspectives, regarding agroecology in Cuba, specifically in regards to rural exodus patterns.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz?  Enjoy the beautiful campus (visit the farm and greenhouses), get involved, and take any classes that call to you.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research?  It will support me in my next chapter as I get started in my career, along with my goal of attending graduate school in the next few years.