Dr. Courtney
Hatch ’00 and Dr. Brett Hill collaborate with students on Odyssey-funded research
The
2023-24 Hendrix LEAP Leadership Team. From left, Anna Burford ’25, Isabel
Ritter ’24, Maeve Smith ’24, Eleanor Burks ’24, and Madison Achan ’26.
CONWAY, Ark. (May 31, 2024) — The
end of the 2023-24 academic year at Hendrix College brings a changing of the
guard for Leadership in Environmental Analysis for the People (LEAP), an
environmental justice research program co-developed by Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Courtney Hatch and Professor of Anthropology Dr. Brett Hill.
For
the last year, environmental studies majors Madison Achan ’26, Eleanor Burks ’24,
Mera Feltenstein ’24, and Maeve Smith ’24, chemistry major Isabel Ritter ’24,
and chemical physics major Anna Burford ’25 served as the inaugural LEAP
Leadership Team. They have experienced everything from monitoring water and air
quality and the urban heat island effect in Little Rock to creating Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) tutorials and recruiting the next group of
environmental leaders who will begin their LEAP Odyssey this summer.
“Our
inaugural LEAP Leadership Team worked hard this year to serve the local
community and develop tools and programming to support the one-week LEAP summer
program in which 15 Hendrix students have been selected to participate,” said
Hatch. The Leadership Team’s work was done in collaboration with community
partners, including the Little Rock Zoo and the Little
Rock Sustainability Office.
“Through
collection of environmental data that will inform sustainable community
development and the creation of training tools to expand the technical skillset
of students interested in environmental justice work, they have ensured that
their work will continue to impact their peers and their community for years to
come,” Hatch said.
Burford
is ready to continue her research on environmental justice issues in the Little
Rock area. “After working on this project all year and learning about the
environmental inequities affecting the citizens of Little Rock, I am excited to
see the results of our hard work and to share this knowledge with new LEAP
students while working as a learning assistant during the summer LEAP program,”
she said.
“This
summer, we will travel to Little Rock to conduct environmental field
measurements, install low-cost air quality monitors with new community
partners, meet with scientists and environmental leaders, and have readings, reflections,
and discussions about environmental justice,” Hill said. “We are excited to
welcome a passionate new group of environmental leaders who have expressed
their desire to improve conditions among marginalized populations and for the
planet in general.”
Participants
in the July 2024 LEAP program will learn methods of air and water quality
analysis and use free data and software to learn about disparities in the
exposure to environmental harms among citizens of Little Rock. Participants
will enjoy Hendrix campus housing and dining together to foster a sense of
community. The following students have been accepted to participate in this
year’s weeklong LEAP program:
- West Boudreaux ’26, Computer Science major
- Evelyn Calhoun ’26, Indigenous Studies major
- Tyler Dearing ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
major (Pictured)
- Erin DeWald ’25, Chemistry major (Pictured)
- Nathan Hirsh ’26, Anthropology major
- Isabel Jara ’26, Chemistry/Physics double major
- Kanak Joshi ’26, Study of the Mind major (Pictured)
- Michelle Leyva ’26, Politics major (Pictured)
- Amelia Lindsey ’25, Physics major
- Sophia McGraw ’27, Environmental Studies major (Pictured)
- Katie Nierstheimer ’25, Environmental Studies major
- Malcolm Rose ’25, History major
- Kyriana Slater ’25, Theatre Arts major (Pictured)
- Qudusiyyah Smith-Gaffoor ’27, Study of the Mind major
- Ella Williams ’27, Environmental Studies major (Pictured)
The LEAP program
is sponsored by the Nancy and Craig Wood Odyssey Professorship, held jointly by
Hatch and Hill.
About Hendrix
College
Founded in 1876,
Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will
Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s
leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning
opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The
Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the classroom
with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and
sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of
accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” —Hendrix College Statement of Purpose