The Institute for Sustainable Practice (ISP) at Lipscomb University offers a variety of degrees for students in all phases of life, including an undergraduate Major in Environmental and Sustainable Science (ESS).
Environmental and Sustainable Science covers interests in a diverse array of fields, ranging from Ecology, Wildlife Biology and Conservation, Environmental Law and Policy, Environmental Analysis, Environmental Management, Organic Food Production and many more personalized concentrations.
Dr. James English, Academic Director for the ISP, said the program is more involved than just taking Science courses.
“A few years ago, students in most of these fields would just take a concentration of biology courses and chemistry courses. Then, maybe 10 years ago, many schools developed a program in Environmental Science,” English said. “The Institute for Sustainable Practice has a program that includes all those rather traditional fields, but also includes very applied areas of sustainability.”
The programs offered by the ISP aren’t confined to just students interested in Chemistry or Biology. All students in all majors are encouraged to find out what the program has to offer and find a specialized career.
“You want to go to Law school, but specifically you want to go for Environmental Law – our program encompasses that,” English said. “I have students who want to be farmers, environmental consultants. I have students who want to be entrepreneurs and start their own ‘green business.’
“And, of course, a great many of our students are studying ecology, conservation and wildlife biology. The thing all these students have in common is they are learning how the environment works, and doing something substantial to lessen our impact on the environment.“
English has a calling to teach and mentor his students and encourages them to find what they are passionate about and to be excellent at it.
“I remember not knowing what I wanted to do, not knowing you can actually make a career out of doing something you enjoy,” he said. “I really like helping students find out what they are passionate about. To me, that’s my mission work.”
To English, the program’s benefits stretch far beyond the classroom walls.
“Let me give you an example. I have a student who wants to minister to people in really tough situations, in serious poverty situations,“ English said.
“You can be a Minister who brings people food or you can minister by teaching sustainable farming techniques that are relevant to those people, in that place, under those circumstances. You can be a Journalist, or you can specialize in teaching your audience the intricacies of environmental issues.
“You’ll be a specialist, doing what you are passionate about, while making the world a better place. Plus, you’ll stand apart from the competition when it comes time to search for jobs.
“We have a really big emphasis on ‘doing’ in our program. If you have a career and your passionate about it, it doesn’t feel like work.”
For more information about the programs offered by Lipscomb’s ISP, visit the program’s official website.