Current Students
CSUN's MA in Sustainability students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and include both recent graduates established professionals looking to make a change in their careers. Through our program, they learn the foundational theories and practices of sustainability from a dedicated systems-level approach, applying evidence-based research techniques to solve problems at the community, regional, national and global levels.
Alireza Jafari
Em Richter - Environmental Science, Water Resources and Technology
Em graduated from CSU Channel Islands with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management. Em has lived their whole life in Southern California, becoming increasingly familiar with the local ecosystems and the unique sustainability challenges in the area. Em loves fieldwork and is excited at the opportunity to learn more in the multidisciplinary field of sustainability.
Zoe Samerjan
Zoe Samerjan is a Graduate student of California State University, Northridge in the 2024 Sustainability cohort. Before that she spent her undergraduate years at California State University, Monterey Bay and studied Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Education and a minor in Human communications. Through her education Zoe has grown a passion towards helping students cultivate their own connection to their community environment and she strides to keep doing so through her graduate studies.
Hector Felix
Hector Felix is a Sustainability Graduate student and a fellow for the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). While pursuing his undergraduate degree in Sociology, Hector gained a sense of social responsibility that steered his conviction to pursue a degree in Sustainability. He is lucky to be in the unique position to have the space to absorb the current views in this dynamic field and implement that gained knowledge through action with his fellowship.
Hengame Abassi Sirchi - Community Well-being and Social Justice
Hengame Abassi is interested in environmental sustainability, sustainable gardening, ethnic cultures, and social justice. She was born in Kerman, Iran, has experience of two migrations to Germany and America, with a background in nursing, self-defense technique, international reporter, announcer and host of radio and television in Farsi programs.
Oluwasanmi Oboye - Corporate Sustainability
A dedicated researcher specializing in organizational accountability and sustainable development. Luw aims to support sustainable governance practices that drive meaningful change. Luw is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practical application.
Pamela Porcaro - Community Well-Being and Social Justice
Pamela has recently completed her BA in Religious Studies and is currently working on her MA in Sustainability. Pamela has a diverse background in numerous different industries, from travels around the world to her education. She aspires to better understand and to co-create with others insight on how to affect paradigm shifts in thought and behavior. Whether it be through transforming feelings of alienation into connection with the natural world that we are part of, understanding emergence in complex adaptive systems, or doing her small part to facilitate the challenging task of shifting from neoclassical economics to ecological economics, strong sustainability, and resilience.
Jen-Yu Li
Jen-Yu is an international student from Taiwan and has her TAISE Sustainability Manager Certificate. She is eager to explore various facets of sustainability and its history.
Valerie Vaca
Dasire'e Pangelinan-Norman
Dasire'e is an artist focused on building a company that tackles the challenges of sustainability in the art world. Her goal is to create solutions that help artists and organizations practice sustainability while staying creative. Through her work, she aspires to promote responsible practices that benefit both the environment and the art community.
Jesus Liera - Environmental Science, Water Resources and Technology
Jesus is an international student hailing from Mexico. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences Engineering from the Technological Institute of Sonora. Additionally, Jesus is a student-athlete at CSUN, where he plays on the baseball team.
Manny Elizarraras - Sustainability Policy and Government
Manny is a third year sustainability masters student who has the willingness to learn, strive, and prosper in whatever task or challenge is thrown at him. Great critical thinking, organization, and communicative skills. He is always looking forward to help in any positive way and accomplish any obstacle at hand.
Analisa Cassidy - Sustainability Policy and Government
Analisa Cassidy is a first-generation graduate student passionate about Sustainability and has taken a special interest in the policy and government sector. As an undergraduate student, she pursed a Biology degree until she took an Environmental Policy course which encouraged her aspiration for a career in Sustainability. She graduated from San Diego State University in 2022 with a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies which emphasized in Biology, Sustainability, and Psychology. She is eagerly looking forward to gain new experiences in the growing Sustainability field within the beautiful city of Los Angeles.
Jalen Bolden - Corporate Sustainability
Jalen Bolden is currently a master's student in the Sustainability program. He works at CSUN as a zero waste fellow. Jalen has an interest in marine biology and soccer.
Faith Supangkat - Sustainability Policy and Government
Faith was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and has a background in Communication Studies from CSUN. She is interested in Sustainability Policy and Government, particularly in policies to regulate and decrease the waste that people produce.
Zareh Tchiroyan - Corporate Sustainability
Zareh is a graduate student with a passion for problem solving and is looking to start a career in the Sustainability industry.