Sanya Cowal
Department: Environmental Studies
What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? The Jessica Roy Memorial Award
When do you expect to graduate? 2026
Where do you call home? Portland, OR
With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? I was especially drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of the environmental studies department here. I am passionate about working within the intersection of people and the environment and found that this program not only enables but encourages interdisciplinary research. I found a unique opportunity here to explore sociology within my environmental work, as illustrated through this award.
What is your field of focus? I study agroecology and sustainable food systems, specifically the ecological and social dynamics of coffee systems. I am interested in working with coffee producers to manage the consequences of climate change and agricultural intensification by coupling agro-ecological resilience with farmer agency.
What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? As my TA experiences have affirmed my love of teaching, I hope to become a professor of environmental studies, teaching within an interdisciplinary social justice framework and continuing to research with my own students. I also hope to work with or for organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance conducting agroecological community-based work, especially within the coffee sector.
What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? One memorable moment this year was when my PhD advisor invited me to my first Agroecology Working Group dinner, a group of graduate students and professors who foster community over shared meals. As we ate falafel and learned and laughed together, I felt a very intentional and tangible community created by incredible faculty who care deeply for their students beyond the classroom.
What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Take time to explore the ocean and mountains!
How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? This scholarship will contribute to a research project investigating the role of gender-based differences in coffee producer adaptive management through the lens of female producer agency.
