Hi! My name is Nya, and I am a third-year interdisciplinary studies major, with a concentration in Biomedical Science and Enterprise. I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA, but I have been living in Atlanta since my first year of college. My major choice reflects my desire to understand the different facets of the healthcare industry through coursework in science, law, ethics, and business. Throughout my undergraduate journey, my goal has been to explore various disciplines that I find interesting, not only to become well-rounded but also to guide my path for future graduate school studies and a career.  

I chose to take this course because it implements several things that interest me. I’ve always enjoyed volunteering growing up, and I’ve always been fascinated by nature and its complexities. This course gives me a chance to volunteer and learn about local environmental issues here in Atlanta. 

My community partner for this spring is the South River Watershed Alliance (SWRA). They’re dedicated to restoring the ecological balance of the South River, helping both the environment and the community. The river’s main challenges include ecological threats such as pollution, poor water quality, and inadequate regulatory enforcement. I was drawn to this organization because of the impactful work they’re doing to better the communities affected by the South River. Particularly, what stood out to me is how vocal they are about environmental racism. Growing up in Pittsburgh, also known as “Steel city” because of its industrial history, I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of environmental damage disproportionately affecting Black and low-income communities.  

SRWA highlights the importance of advocacy and awareness as part of the solution to the river’s challenges. I’m looking forward to learning more about environmental justice and finding ways to contribute and amplify the important initiatives of the South River Watershed Alliance through my course project and blog posts.