{"id":148,"date":"2023-11-20T19:05:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T00:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/sustainability-social-justice\/about\/directors-welcome\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T16:25:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T20:25:30","slug":"directors-welcome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/sustainability-social-justice\/about\/directors-welcome\/","title":{"rendered":"Chair’s Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to the Department of Sustainability and Social Justice (SSJ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cynthia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There has never been a better time to take up today\u2019s salient challenges: income, health, and social inequalities, distributional justice issues associated with climate\u202fchange impacts, ecological devastation and biodiversity loss, systemic racism, and displacement, among so many others. The need for purpose\u2010driven, challenge ready, diverse and inter\u2010culturally competent leaders and practitioners has never been greater.\u202f You will follow a curriculum that prepares you to become the change\u2010makers our world needs.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your course of study will ground you in a body of academic and professional knowledge. All\u202fSSJ degrees center on four core academic and professional learning outcomes:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. To work across intellectual, professional, and individual differences.\u202f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. To understand and address complex social\u2010ecological challenges to transform\u202finstitutions and systems for equity and sustainability.\u202f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. To act effectively in uncertain contexts.\u202f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. To communicate, facilitate, collaborate, and co\u2010create with a diverse range of stakeholders.\u202f <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    When you join SSJ, you become a member of many dynamic communities.\u202f In the department, we create a culture of inclusion and belonging inside and outside of the classroom.\u202f 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\u2019s Student Association to have a voice in matters affecting students\u2019 success and wellbeing. Join your fellow students to plan numerous social events and community\u2010building activities across the year.\u202f 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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\u2019s broad alumni network.\u202f I also hope that you will participate in one of the department\u2019s Global Learning Collaboratives to enhance your work experience on pressing issues in a real-world context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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\u2010change efforts and opportunities to have fun and enjoy the city’s cultural and recreational resources.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u202fAgain, welcome to Clark! On behalf of the SSJ faculty and CES staff, we are honored that you chose to pursue graduate\u202fstudies with us. We are excited to work with you to advance equity, sustainability, and justice in\u202fcommunities throughout the world.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cynthia M. Caron, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor and Chair
    Department of Sustainability and Social Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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