Welcome to the Department of Sustainability and Social Justice (SSJ)
You are joining a vibrant community of students, researchers, practitioners and activists that are all part of Clark University’s School of Climate, Environment, and Society (CES). We are thrilled that you chose to join us, and we look forward to getting to know you during your time here.
There has never been a better time to take up today’s salient challenges: income, health, and social inequalities, distributional justice issues associated with climate change impacts, ecological devastation and biodiversity loss, systemic racism, and displacement, among so many others. The need for purpose‐driven, challenge ready, diverse and inter‐culturally competent leaders and practitioners has never been greater. You will follow a curriculum that prepares you to become the change‐makers our world needs.
Your course of study will ground you in a body of academic and professional knowledge. All SSJ degrees center on four core academic and professional learning outcomes:
- To work across intellectual, professional, and individual differences.
- To understand and address complex social‐ecological challenges to transform institutions and systems for equity and sustainability.
- To act effectively in uncertain contexts.
- To communicate, facilitate, collaborate, and co‐create with a diverse range of stakeholders.
When you join SSJ, you become a member of many dynamic communities. In the department, we create a culture of inclusion and belonging inside and outside of the classroom. We aim to keep the classes small to give students opportunities for meaningful collaboration with each other and their professors. We encourage you to get involved in the department’s Student Association to have a voice in matters affecting students’ success and wellbeing. Join your fellow students to plan numerous social events and community‐building activities across the year. The department, the School for Climate, Environment, and Society, and the university sponsor engaging and timely talks and workshops. Such events are important ways to develop academically and professionally and build your community.
SSJ students, as part of CES, have access to a dedicated career development office to assist you in setting up internship opportunities and connections to SSJ’s broad alumni network. I also hope that you will participate in one of the department’s Global Learning Collaboratives to enhance your work experience on pressing issues in a real-world context.
I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to get to know and love the city of Worcester. There are many ways to join community‐change efforts and opportunities to have fun and enjoy the city’s cultural and recreational resources.
Again, welcome to Clark! On behalf of the SSJ faculty and CES staff, we are honored that you chose to pursue graduate studies with us. We are excited to work with you to advance equity, sustainability, and justice in communities throughout the world.
Sincerely,
Cynthia M. Caron, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Sustainability and Social Justice
