Academics and Research

Environmental Studies Program

Randolph College offers a B.A. and a minor in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Environmental Science.

The program takes an interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach, focusing not only on the natural and physical sciences, but also the environmental aspects of policy, economics, philosophy, literature, and psychology.

Learn more about Environmental Studies at Randolph.

Environmental science students collect water samples near a dam to test for contamination.
Environmental science students collect water samples near a dam to test for contamination.

Student Research

There are many opportunities for research with a sustainability interest. Between data collected on utilities, grounds, and the student body, we can come up with plenty of interesting research questions. Have an idea for a project? Reach out to your professors or the Sustainability Coordinator to make it happen. Independent research projects are fantastic for building skills that will help you land the career of your dreams.

Previous Research Projects

Summer Research 2018

  • Analysis of student textbook costs at Randolph College
    • Lewis Ward, ’20 – Museum & Heritage Studies, Studio Art
    • Stephen Krueger – Access and Outreach Services Librarian
  • Comparing the Quality of Rainwater Collected from Roof Surfaces and Ground-Level Surfaces
      • Thinh (Bill) Pham ’20 – Physics
      • Margaret Van Beek ’19 – Environmental Science
      • Sarah Sojka – Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies and Physics
Environmental science student tests the quality of rainwater draining off of campus rooftops.
Environmental science student tests the quality of rainwater draining off of campus rooftops.

Summer Research 2017

  • Using Artificial Seagrass Beds to Study Restoration
    • Tyrah Cobb-Davis ’19 – Physics
    • Elizabeth Exline ’19 – Environmental Studies
    • Sarah Sojka – Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies and Physics
  • Resilient Randolph: Analyzing Risks and Establishing Measureable Strategies for Campus-Community Climate Resilience
    • Shataaxi Joshi ‘19
    • Arnav Upadhyay ’19 – Economics
    • Karin Warren – Associate Professor and Herzog Family Chair of Environmental Studies

Summer Research 2016

  • Correctional Food Deserts: Defining the Problem and Designing Interventions
    • Anne Cornell ’17 – Psychology
    • Alexandra Wieczorek ’19 – Communication Studies, Political Science
    • Nikol Beckham – Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
  • The Relationships between Age Group, Environmental Information Sources, and Pro-Ecological Worldview
    • Harrison Pippin ’18 – Environmental Studies and Sociology
    • Brad Bullock – Professor, Sociology
    • Sarah Sojka – Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies and Physics
  • The Tiny House at the Tiny College: Design and Assessment of a Sustainable Micro-Housing Prototype
    • Jessy Spencer ’18 – Environmental Studies
    • Karin Warren – Associate Professor and Herzog Family Chair of Environmental Studies

Summer Research 2015

  • Evaluating Contaminate Trapping Behind Dams on the James River
    • Melissa Pasierb ’17 – Environmental Science, Studio Art
    • Allison Brooks ’18 – Environmental Science
    • Sarah Sojka – Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies and Physics
  • The Tiny House at the Tiny College: Design and Assessment of Sustainable Micro-Housing Alternatives
    • Hagay Haut ’16 – Environmental Studies
    • Sara Woodward ’16 – Environmental Science
    • Karin Warren – Associate Professor and Herzog Family Chair of Environmental Studies
    • Ludo Lemaitre ’11 – Sustainability Coordinator during project
Cheatham DIning Hall purchases from local farmers, growers, and distributors whenever possible.
Cheatham Dining Hall has been trayless since 2009, reducing water and energy consumption and limiting food waste.

Summer Research 2014

  • Food Recovery and Environmental Stewardship: Building a Sustainable Framework for Repurposing Randolph College’s Unused Foodstuff
    • Paul Rush ’16 – Global Studies
    • Jennifer Dugan – Professor, Political Science
  • Evaluating the Water Quality in Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems
    • Dang Phung ’15 – Environmental Studies
    • Chris Hollingsworth ’15 – Psychology
    • Sarah Sojka – Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies and Physics
  • Excavating Eden: Recovering Green Spaces from Urban Brownfields
    • Hannah Edwards ’16 – English (Creative Writing)
    • Sarah Sojka – Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies and Physics
  • Investigating Options for Fiscally, Socially, and Environmentally Sustainable Food at Randolph College
    • Huong (Hailey) Nguyen ’15 – Business, Economics
    • Ludo Lemaitre ’11 – Sustainability Coordinator during project