Sterling Degree: Self-Design Major in Environmental Humanities
Current Hometown: Chatham, New York
At Sterling College, Elizabeth developed a self-designed major titled Cultural Activism. Cultural Activism looks at the root causes of ecological and social issues within society and proposes that these root issues begin with culture. Through transforming culture (cultural activism), societies can affect deep, holistic change for humans and the natural world.
Elizabeth’s Senior Applied Research Project (SARP) was titled “Circular Knowing: A Path To Cultural Transformation”, her SARP presentation was titled “Collective Wisdom: An Experiential Practice”, and her SARP final work was titled “Circle: A Research Ceremony” each exploring how ways of communicating produce different kinds of social experiences and how that can be applied through cultural activism.
Elizabeth continues the work she began at Sterling through her writing and poetry. This autumn she will have her poem, “Pause” and an accompanying photograph published in the online journal, Dark Matter:Women Witnessing. Her poem, “Wild Knowing” was selected to be displayed and read at the opening ceremony of The Climate Issue Is a Human Issue art exhibition in April, 2018 in Dalton, MA.
Elizabeth works as a freelance project manager and administrative assistant. She loves to read, write, cook, have adventures, and spend time with the natural world.
What is your most memorable Bounder/Expedition memory? It was our third day, I believe, and the group was quiet after a morning of hiking. We came to a ridge where the conifer trees were short and covered with whip-cream blobs of snow. We descended down the ridge sliding through this fantastical scene and everyone began laughing and being playful. The sun was shining. It was ecstatic.
Any words of wisdom for the current Sterling generation? Sterling is designed to be a transformative experience for you as a person. Embrace that. The faculty at Sterling are unique and brilliant. Soak it up. Each semester is different. Ride the wave and don’t worry too much.