Environmental Studies
Available as a major or minor
Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary, community-engaged program crossing the bounds of the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.
As an environmental studies major, you’ll investigate pressing domestic and global environmental problems, gain insight into your relationship with nature, and develop the skills needed to create a more sustainable and just future. In addition to exploring and studying Virginia’s forests, mountains and rivers, you’ll be engaged in the community and will learn how to make a difference and become an effective problem-solver.
Curriculum & Courses
Sample Course Offerings:
ENSC-101 Environmental Science
ENSC-230 Critical Zone Science
ENSC-390 Water and Society
What Makes Roanoke Different?
Learn by Doing
We offer many firsthand learning opportunities for our students.
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We have great relationships with many conservation-focused organizations in the valley, and we help students find internships that align with their interests such as City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation, The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Carilion Sustainability and more.
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The Environment Center is housed within the Environmental Studies program and is where students across disciplines and career paths find opportunities to engage in meaningful environmental work. Check out the below information to find your place at the Environment Center.
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Participation in an independent study or research project can be a very rewarding part of any student's program. You can study an area in depth, become an expert in a topic, complete a project that you are passionate about, or participate in a research project sponsored by a faculty member.
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Do enjoy spending time outdoors, growing your own food, and are interested in the environment and wish to find a place for like-minded environmental-loving Roanoke College students? Come check out our environmental and outdoor clubs!
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Alpha Kappa Chi is a co-ed professional environmental fraternity whose mission is to promote the self-confidence, professionalism, and brotherhood among member individuals in preparation for and commitment to practicing environmental sustainability.
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Roanoke students have the opportunity to travel broadly with faculty and most of our students take advantage of this. All of our faculty lead month-long trips where they teach and travel with students.
Learn around the world
Roanoke has semester-long, faculty-led programs all over the world called May Term. Students take classes with their professor, go on cultural excursions, experience language immersion and perform service projects. Our most recent trips for Environmental Studies include Mexico, Kenya and India, among others. Learn more.
Careers & Outcomes
Simme's dedication leads to work with FEMA
Josef Simme ’18 always knew he wanted to work in the environmental field. After graduation, his dedication paid off, and he took a job as an Environmental Compliance Review Specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Working with FEMA has fueled Simme’s passion for the environment. He has discovered a desire to help those struggling after the devastation of a natural disaster. He was recently chosen to be the lead for FEMA’s invasive species implementation project and is working toward better informing the public about the dangers of the spread of invasive species.
Pierce facilitates meetings with legislators on climate change
Mackay Pierce, an environmental studies major from Bristol, Tennessee, interned with the Advocacy Corps of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker-based group. As a grassroots lobbyist, his primary role was facilitating meetings between community members and students with legislators to discuss climate change issues. Putting his passion for the environment to work, Pierce met with a variety of legislators, including the staff of both U.S. Senators from Virginia.
Pierce believes the future economy for the Appalachian coal communities will look very different from the past. "In my opinion, the biggest driving force will be a return to localization," Pierce said. "I think the future will highlight the natural resources most readily available: the mountains as a recreational asset."
The ideal time and place for environmental studies
“It is like studying computer science in 1995,” conservationist Scott Segerstrom ’02 says.
Faculty
Work with faculty
Whether your goal is to be out in the field or to make a difference in government or the business world, faculty members will prepare you for your future. Through independent study and research opportunities, you’ll work alongside faculty and get firsthand experience. Our faculty members are experts on environmental justice, sustainability, water and soil quality, environmental policy, conservation science and more. Their community ties help students connect with local organizations and get them into the real world where they can learn how to make an impact long before graduating.
News
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Roanoke College faculty are accomplishing exciting things! Catch up on some of the latest news.
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The final interior beam of the center’s new building was put in place July 23.
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The certification process was led by a team of environmental studies majors.
Find Us on Social
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Join us as Daniel James, founder and creative director of HERD Ventures, takes us behind the scenes of his work as a storyteller, photographer and documentarian for the Roanoke Foodshed Network.
- Date:
- March 18, 2026
- Time:
- 7 - 8 p.m.
- Location:
Colket Center, Pickle Lounge
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Joseph Brozovsky, president of Urban Reblok'd, is running a recycling company with an audacious mission to revolutionize our country's flawed plastics recycling system. Join us to hear directly from him about his business and why modern recycling needs a shakeup.
- Date:
- March 24, 2026
- Time:
- 12 - 1 p.m.
- Location:
Lucas Hall 125
