School for the Environment

Graduate Student

Anti-Racism Task Force

The School for the Environment Graduate Student Anti-Racism Task Force (SEGART) was created in support of and in response to #BlackLivesMatter.

We acknowledge that here in Boston we are on sacred land that was stolen and holds history of violence and slavery. We recognize the Massachusett, Nipmuc, and Wampanoag peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. We acknowledge that this country would not exist without the free, enslaved labor of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. We honor the legacy of the African diaspora and the life, knowledge, and skills stolen due to violence and white supremacy. May we continue to be in solidarity and kinship with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color across the Americas and the globe, and work to bring justice to our communities every day.

Our Mission

We seek to create and foster conversations and actions that reduce racial prejudice and harm incurred by students. We aim to educate ourselves on the issues at the core of Black Lives Matter and engage in collaborations that transform our school into an anti-racist institution.

Our Vision

An equitable future where the needs of diverse students, faculty, and staff are heard, understood, and met.

Our Core Values

Provide a brave space for discussions, normalize conversations about racism both within our school and ensure that all voices have a platform to be heard.

Our Commitment

We commit to evaluating our actions and engaging actively in anti-racism at not only the individual level but also at the institutional level.

We commit to ensuring that our work is sustainable and that anti-racist progress and policies within the school become institutionalized and permanent.

We commit to denouncing racism in all its forms.

Photos from the UMB #BLM march on June 6th, 2020

About the School for the Environment

Figure 1: Percent U.S. Students of Color in SFE and UMB from 2014-2019

We are a Community of Environmental Leaders

Fighting for a Better Planet

The School for the Environment is home to students, scientists, community developers, urban planners, economists, and policy researchers working together to make positive and sustainable contributions to our planet and people.

Tackling the grand environmental challenges of the 21st century requires everyone. Our school still has a long journey ahead to building a diverse community (Figure 1), but we are more than up to the task to bridge this gap and to find better ways of teaching, mentoring, and preparing future environmental leaders from all walks of life.

Check Out

OCEAN Webinar Series

November_Media_Monday.pdf

Anti-Racism Media Mondays

What's In The Works

Get To Know Us!

Dira Johanif

I am a Masters student studying the effects of pesticides on freshwater amphipods. Originally from Malaysia, I joined this community to become a better ally by learning how to be actively anti-racist and show that women of color in STEM are a force to be reckoned with.
Dira's LinkedIn Profile

Kelly Luis

I’m a PhD Candidate in Marine Science and Technology and I believe concerted focus and action is critical to addressing systemic racism in science. I joined this community to be a part of sparking lasting change.
Kelly's Website

Isaac Rosenthal

I’m a PhD Candidate in Environmental Sciences and I believe that eradicating systemic racism within academia must be treated as a fundamental priority by all scientists. I joined this group in order to tackle these issues and have a tangible impact on the careers of future students.

Christine San Antonio

I am a PhD candidate studying the effects of ocean warming and acidification on juvenile lobster shell mineralogy and gene expression. I’m further using this research to develop middle school STEM education curricula on climate change. I am a strong supporter of women and diversity in science and passionate about enhancing early STEM education. I joined this task force to progress my own lifelong journey to be anti-racist and to find ways to aid our school in doing the same.
Christine's LinkedIn Profile Christine's Website

Garrett Evensen

I am a PhD candidate in Environmental sciences, studying sex determination in marine bivalves. I joined this group to promote anti-racist actions and beliefs at our school and the surrounding communities.
Garrett's LinkedIn Profile

Jessica Lillquist

I’m a PhD student in Environmental Sciences studying climate change adaptation strategies for coastal urban communities, exploring human responses to environmental change, and policy interventions more broadly, to determine equitable solutions. I joined this group to learn and to hold myself accountable to be actively anti-racist, as well as to work with our school to promote positive, lasting changes.
Jessica's LinkedIn Profile

Shannon Davis

I’m a PhD Candidate in Marine Science and Technology studying coastal acidification. I am of my own journey to become anti-racist and believe that confronting systemic racism, especially within academia, must be the top priority. I joined this community to not only learn from my peers, but to be a part of long-lasting action addressing racism with our school.

Patrick Sheldon

I am a PhD candidate in Environmental Science. As a husband in an interracial marriage, I am doing my own antiracism work on becoming a better active ally for my partner. I joined this group to continue antiracism work by dismantling and decolonizing systemic racist structures at our school and its affiliated communities.

Lucy Lockwood

I am pursuing my Doctorate in the Marine Science and Technology Program as I research the design of coastal protection structures that will support healthy coastal marine ecosystems. I joined this group to listen, learn, and to help in the vital work of anti-racism. I am also committed to supporting and empowering BIPOC students within SFE specifically and STEM generally.
Lucy's WebsiteLucy's LinkedIn Profile

Michael Roy

I am a fifth year Environmental Biology PhD Candidate researching how environmental changes (specifically species range expansions and sea level rise) impact both the species and people living among the salt marshes of the Plum Island Estuary, MA. I joined this group because after reading “We Were Eight Years in Power” By Ta-Nehisi Coates and seeing the vicious murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, I needed a constructive anti-racist outlet to learn, listen, organize, and act.

Lee Mabry

I’m a MS candidate in Environmental Sciences studying microplastics in the Charles River, Massachusetts. I believe anti-racist actions are key to dismantling long-established systemic racism in academia and joined this group to learn, collaborate, and contribute to normalizing a culture of anti-racism within the School for the Environment and at UMass Boston.

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