May 2022
E-Newsline
Aaron Maruzzo is bringing the skills he learned during his MPH in Environmental Health Sciences back to his community in Saipan to “reduce pollution and improve environmental and human health through community-based action.” 

Aaron focuses on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - a diverse class of thousands of highly persistent chemicals - in the U.S. Territory the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and “telling the story of environmental injustice in Saipan and the Western Pacific Region.”

In honor of Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month, we interviewed Aaron on the unique professional and personal challenges and opportunities of working to improve environmental and human health at the intersection of these two little-recognized acronyms: PFAS and the CNMI. Read the story here.
Throughout history, Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have led movements and delivered solutions on issues including environmental hazards, climate change, and environmental justice.

In the face of increased violence and discrimination towards AAPI communities, Switzer Fellows Diana Fu and Meghna Marjadi are interested in making space and dedicating time for AAPI identifying fellows and their allies to heal, reflect, and support one another through community building that address the personal, professional, and systemic struggles that AAPI folks face in their lives and work.

If you are interested in participating, please take this brief survey by June 3. AAPI identifying fellows and allies are welcome to respond.
The Switzer Foundation offers Professional Development Fund grants of up to $1,000 to help fellows attend key conferences or trainings. Recent awards include:

  • $1,000 to support Sue Chiang’s attendance at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition conference to network and learn from the food service packaging sector, informing her work as food program director at the Center for Environmental Health.
  • $600 to enable Dipti Vaghela to attend an online facilitation training to build confidence and creativity in creating engaging virtual events, supporting Dipti in her work as a network manager and facilitator. 

If there’s a conference, training or important networking event that you’d like to attend but need funding to do so, please contact Erin!
The Switzer Foundation is proud to sponsor the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) Conference, taking place in-person, June 20-22, 2022 in Baltimore, MD. The conference provides opportunities to network, contribute your work, and participate in inclusive and empowering discussions about the past, present, and future of environmental studies and sciences. Our sponsorship includes one free registration for a Switzer Fellow. If you have questions about the conference or AESS, Clara Fang is a board member.
Events
The climate movement is becoming increasingly diverse, but still lags behind the general population in its representation of people of color. In this Switzer Network Event, Clara Fang presented on where we are in the climate movement in terms of diversity and inclusion with results from her research surveying members, volunteers and supporters of climate organizations. She also explored the historical context for lack of diversity, why diversity is important for climate action, and how we can foster a movement with more belonging and justice for all. Learn more and watch the event recording here.
Opportunities

Thank you to everyone who has been sharing opportunities on the Switzer Fellows listserv! We encourage you to keep posting jobs that come your way. If you have a connection to the hiring organization and are willing to be contacted, please include that information when you forward the posting. If a fellow has a connection, we will include it in this section each month.

You are also invited to join our private LinkedIn Group. This is another space to connect with other Switzer Fellows and stay up to date on the latest opportunities and news.
A vibrant community of environmental leaders
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