The School of Arts & Sciences fosters an intellectually vibrant environment through a diverse range of interdisciplinary programs, such as the Environmental Studies program. The Environmental Studies program encourages students to explore complex issues from multiple perspectives, prepares them for a wide array of career paths, and equips them with critical and creative thinking skills.
Giving to the A&S Interdisciplinary Program fund directly impacts the Environmental Studies program and has a profound and immediate impact on student lives. Donations fund research opportunities, travel grants for student presentations at professional conferences, and high-impact programming.
The Environmental Studies Program requires that all majors participate in an experiential learning opportunity before graduating. The most standard ways to satisfy this requirement are to conduct supervised, independent research on an environmental topic with UR faculty (ENVR320, ENVR406, or an approved equivalent course from another department), or participate in an approved environmental internship off-campus and complete ENVR388 during the fall semester.
Each year the Department of Geography, Environment, & Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Program, and Global Studies Program partner to bring noteworthy speakers and scholars to Richmond to present lectures related to our global environment. All events are free and open to the public.
For goal-oriented students who are dedicated to earning at least a master's degree in environmental studies or forestry, the University of Richmond offers dual degree programs with Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. For the Dual Degree program, students complete three years at Richmond and then two years at Duke; at the end of their fourth year, they receive their undergraduate degree from Richmond and at the end of their fifth year, they receive their master's degree from Duke.
We have cooperative agreements with Duke University’s Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina, and the Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science (MBL SES) program in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Additional opportunities for off-campus research include the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), which connects students with environmental research projects in the natural and social sciences.
Carrie Wu was promoted to professor of biology. Her research investigates the mechanisms of adaptive differentiation and speciation and examines how environmental variation influences phenotypic and genetic variation among natural plant populations.
Stephanie Spera was promoted to associate professor of geography, environment, & sustainability. Her research seeks to understand landscape-level human-environment feedbacks regarding social, economic, and environmental drivers and consequences.
Carrie Wu, professor of biology, published "Effects of experimental warming on floral scent, display, and rewards in two subalpine herbs" in Annals of Botany.
A summer internship introduced senior Courtney Simpson to a career in sustainable investing. A return offer ensured she can continue to pursue her newfound interest.
This grant will support a collaborative project focusing on climate impacts on Native Americans in Virginia.
Geology professor David Kitchen is quoted.
Geology professor David Kitchen authored this piece.
Geography, environment, and sustainability professor Todd Lookingbill is quoted.
Geography, environment, and sustainability professor Stephanie Spera is quoted.
Mailing address:
Environmental Studies Program
Carole Weinstein International Center, Room 307
211 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 484-1473
Fax: (804) 484-1577
Program Coordinator: Todd Lookingbill
Academic Administrative Specialist: Nancy Propst