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Press Releases | Spotlights
Students Engage in International, Justice-Oriented Psychology Research
At the Global Mental Health Lab at Pitzer, Assistant Professor of Psychology Marcus Rodriguez makes science a team sport. Rodriguez founded the lab with an active, globally-minded approach to make mental health care more accessible and to give undergraduate students hands-on research opportunities in clinical psychology alongside local and international partners, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. “I have my students doing the tasks that PhD students might do at another institution. My students are involved at every level of the scientific process.”
Earthwatch Award Supports Pitzer Alumna’s Caterpillar Research in Her Hometown in Thailand
Chanchanok Sudta ’18 has received the Neville Shulman Earthwatch Award to research the eating habits of Lepidoptera caterpillars and how environmental disturbances impact plant-insect networks. Sudta will work with young students and continue her international ecological research that was first inspired at Pitzer’s Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology. “If I went to a big university, I might not have had the chance to do research for 10 weeks in another country. I got to interact closely with professors. Many of them influenced how I show up in the program I’m in now.”
Pitzer Alumna Pursues Social Justice Through Black Radical Farming
Pitzer alumna Yaquana Williams ’21 described how her study abroad and environmental advocacy experience at Pitzer equipped her to support healthy nutrition in her hometown. For her senior thesis in Africana Studies, Williams examined how Black farming collectives across the African Diaspora nurture the land and local communities. She was inspired by Black farmers in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey. “The farm spaces not only serve as places to get food but also community hubs. People can gather, be in tune with nature, and reclaim those spaces.”
Pitzer Alumna Saves the Planet One Grocery Store at a Time
Pitzer alumna Lily Simon ’15 made food and climate change the heart of her work after graduating as an environmental analysis major. She is an account manager at Afresh, a software platform that helps grocery retailers order goods more accurately to reduce food waste. “Pitzer opened my eyes to issues that I had heard of but couldn’t put into practice. It showed me the importance of putting awareness into action. That is the heart of a mission-based liberal arts education.”
Celebrating Latino/a/x Heritage Month at Pitzer College (September 15–October 15)
Join Pitzer College as we honor and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of Latino/a/x heritage. We will spotlight members of our community and share information about any related events at Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges. Features will be added throughout September and October. Pitzer recognizes national history and heritage months as part of its
[Read More...]Introducing Pitzer’s New Tenure-Track Professors
Pitzer College has welcomed exceptional new faculty members since the 2020–21 academic year. As the College embarks on the 2022-23 academic year, we wanted to offer a brief overview of the tenure-track professors who have joined our community.
New Community, New Adventure: Pitzer Move-in Day 2022
Families helped Pitzer first-year and transfer students settle into residence halls and their new life. Upon arriving on campus on August 20, they were greeted by students waving signs that said, “Welcome Class of 2026,” “Sagehen Pride,” and “Honk if you love Pitzer!”
Celebrate National Wellness Month With Pitzer’s Strive2Thrive Staff
Wellness is as unique to a person as a fingerprint. In honor of National Wellness Month, Strive2Thrive staff members Kristin Williams and Stephanie Hannant share health tips and how Pitzer students can access self-care that is tailor-made for their needs. “We don’t just want you to survive, we want you to thrive. Strive2Thrive looks at the whole student in a holistic manner.”
Pitzer Alumna Abigail Biddle ’20: Advocate in the Gym, the Law, and Beyond
“Your arms were the talk of graduation.” This is what Pitzer alumna Abigail Biddle ’20 heard from a fellow graduate after their long-awaited Class of 2020 commencement ceremony. Indeed, Biddle’s biceps belong in a superhero movie. A competitive bodybuilder and soon-to-be Duke Law School student, Biddle says the first time she took the stage in a body-building competition, she was hooked. "I loved it because for most of my life, even though I was an athlete, as a woman I was told I should take up less space physically. When I was on stage, I was surrounded by women who were so buff and by people who were cheering for us.”
Student Spotlight: Carlos Gomez ’24 Mentors New Students
Pitzer College junior Carlos Gomez ’24 learned a hard lesson about burnout when he juggled a full-time job while he had to attend college remotely during the 2020–21 academic year due to the pandemic. Now that he understands the importance of self-care and asking for help, he looks for different ways to support incoming students. Almost nothing makes Gomez more excited than mentoring them. “Things may be very overwhelming in your first semester, so make sure that you’re doing daily check-ins with yourself and that you’re seeking help if you need it."
