2015 – Students of Color Environmental Collective Founded
Founders Eva Malis and Dennis Uyat attended an environmental conference and realized they were some of the only students of color in that space. They decided that things needed to change and created SCEC with the intention of making a space dedicated specifically for students of color.
March 2017 – Launch of EnvironmentalismSoWhite Campaign
The #EnvironmentalismSoWhite Campaign had three main prongs: (1) an open letter to the larger UC Berkeley environmental community and the College of Natural Resources, (2) a photo campaign to raise awareness, and (3) a memorial service held in remembrance of climate defenders that had been murdered.
Best Practice Award: Social Equity and Justice Jun 2018
California Higher Education Sustainability Conference
February 2018 – SCEC Mentorship Program Launched
Addressing one of the many demands of the #EnvironmentalismSoWhite Campaign, SCEC created a mentorship program connecting environmental professionals of color with student groups. After its first successful run, this program received funding and institutional support starting in August 2018 from the California Outdoor Engagement Coalition under the College of Natural Resources. The SCEC Mentorship program continues to be offered as part of a DeCal.
2019 – SCECon’s First Year
The first iteration of SCECon was hosted in February 2019 to be the first conference for students of color by students of color. In addition to bringing together hundreds of students across California, this conference gained recognition from several higher education and sustainability conferences including:
Civic Engagement Award Feb 2019
Chancellor’s Award for Public Service 2018-2019
Best Practice Award: Social Equity and Justice Jul 2019
California Higher Education Sustainability Coalition
AASHE Sustainability Award Nov 2019
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
