CURRENT ORGANIZERS

PAST ORGANIZERS

Lila Roginski

Previous SEC Program Manager

Hi all! I am a recent UCSC grad in Environmental Studies and sustainability supporting Enviroslug student organizations. At heart, I am an organizer and leader who’s dedicated to finding regenerative and equitable solutions to the climate change crisis. When I stumbled upon the Student Environmental Center I was immediately intrigued by the student-driven campus initiatives and hands-on grassroots work. I am so excited grow the Enviroslug team and lean into our No Time To Waste campaign. Go Enviroslugs!

Outside of SEC and school, I spend as much of my free time as possible exploring the natural world. I love outdoor activities like rock climbing, biking and snowboarding. I also love to cook, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.

Contact: Lilaclaireroginski@gmail.com

Eliana Bower

Organizer

Hi! I am a 2nd year Marine Biology and Sustainability Minor at UCSC. I’m driven by my passion for protecting the environment and my love for nature. I’m ready to tackle waste in our No Time to Waste Campaign and help students find their voice on campus. My goal is to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable sharing their opinions.

Outside of SEC, I spend most of my time in nature whether at the beach or in the trees. I enjoy hiking, tide pooling, swimming, and sailing. I also have a large collection of plants because I love surrounding myself with green. I’m excited for the rest of the year and for what we will accomplish together.

Contact: ehbower@ucsc.edu

Kiran Favre

Fiscal Organizer

Hey ya'll! My name is Kiran and I'm a 4th year Environmental Sciences major and have been in the fiscal space within SEC since 2020. I joined SEC since I wanted to join a sustainability collective on campus, and have grown a lot in my leadership and collective organizing skills since. I appreciate that this space gives us a voice as a student in a large university setting and the folks in this space that continuously inspire me. This year I am excited to organize the No Time to Waste Campaign and support Enviroslug in our efforts to establish a sustainable community at UCSC!

In my free time, I like to go to the beach with my dogs and explore good restaurants/food! I love being in Santa Cruz hiking in the Redwoods and camping when I can. I'm excited to work with other folks who want to see a more sustainable campus and world!

Contact: kfavre@ucsc.edu

Maximillian Perez

Personnel Co-Chair

I’m currently a 4th year Environmental Studies major with a Sustainability minor; I’m also the Personnel Co-Chair for SEC this year! In this role I like to focus on making sure everyone feels welcomed and has the opportunity to be a part of the cool projects and events that SEC is working on.

When I’m not studying or working with SEC, you’ll probably find me biking around town, thrift shopping (peep the thrift-ed outfit I’m wearing in the picture) or playing video games with friends. I’m excited for everyone who wants to get involved in having an impact on making UCSC a more sustainable campus with us!
Contact: mxperez@ucsc.edu

Chayla Fisher

Blue Print CUIP

Hello! I am a fourth year Environmental Studies major with a minor in Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies. My strong passion for the environment and social justice led me to the SEC during spring quarter of my freshman year and I fall more and more in love with the organization and the work we do each quarter! I am so excited to be this year's Blueprint CUIP, leading the way in creating our 2019-2020 Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus! In my free time I enjoy doing black and white film photography, which I love to incorporate into my media work with the SEC. I also love to bake, explore the outdoors, watch Netflix, eat food, and hang out with friends. I look forward to working more with the wonderful, dedicated students involved. 

Contact: chlfishe@ucsc.edu

Carolyn Chan

Fiscal Co-chair

Hi! I'm currently a third year majoring in Business Management Economics with an emphasis in marketing. I am a boba addict, koalas are my favorite animal, and I want to travel the world as much as possible! This is my first quarter with SEC and I've been loving it so much! I've met so many people, learned valuable life skills, and grown more as a person. It's so inspiring to see how much work this organization does every week and I really love seeing everyone put their plans into action. I hope that in the future, I am able to work with a company and convince them to become more green and environmentally friendly. 

Contact: cayichan@ucsc.edu

Madeline Mesa

Fiscal Co-Chair  

Hi, I’m Madeline! I graduated from UCSC in 2019 with a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies combined. I started with SEC in Winter 2017 in the Fiscal Role for several reasons; ensuring access to our funding, to create dialogue on how we use our funding, and lastly how to manage it. I found that my major allowed me to have a unique perspective on understanding the limitations of our funding while also understanding why we are using that funding for specific environmental problems - no matter what subject; environmental justice, waste, transportation, and accessibility to resources. Ultimately, my role and participation in SEC lead to great experience on my resume and allowed me to gain interpersonal skills I use day to day. Now, after graduating, I moved up north to Alameda with my partner and just recently started a new job at Richard Avelar and Associates, a Consulting and Law Firm, that focuses on environmental consulting, defect construction litigation, and mold inspection/prevention and remediation. I’m happy to be in a career that allows me to be out of the office often and in the field, learning something new everyday. At the end of the day, I'm happy knowing that I'm helping those who are impacted by faulty construction or negligent landlords. 

Contact: mtmesa@ucsc.edu

Lourdes De La Torre

Media and Outreach Organizer

Hola! I’m a 3rd year Anthropology major and Sustainability Studies minor. I’m extremely passionate about issues pertaining to environmental racism and finding ways in making the environmental movement inclusive of everyone. We all call this planet our home! Sustainability shouldn’t be something practiced by a few.

Being a part of the SEC has given me the opportunity to meet and organize with other folks who are just as passionate about the intersectionality of the environment, government and people and finding ways to incorporate and focus on all three of these issues through projects and events.

When I’m not at the SEC office I’m hanging out with my cat, drinking coffee with friends or journaling and making art.

Contact: lodelato@ucsc.edu

Nicole Wong

Personnel Organizer

Hello! I’m Nicole (she/her) and I’m a third-year Agroecology major. I joined SEC to learn and expand my interests in how industry, human welfare, and the environment are all connected. I'm particularly interested in the social and cultural structures that make up the food system today! I love SEC’s dedication towards creating community and advocating for the sustainable development of UCSC. Each person I have met through SEC has challenged and inspired me to organize and collaborate in new ways and I’m excited to continue working towards promoting environmental justice and education for all. 

Outside of SEC, I enjoy crafting, cooking up new recipes, and doing art of all kinds. It’s great getting to work with such passionate organizers and I’m excited for everyone who wants to get involved!

Contact: nirowong@ucsc.edu

Valeria Mena

CUIP Blueprint Organizer

Hihi, this year I am SEC’s media and outreach co-chair! I am a third year sociology major and am passionate about community organizing around issues like environmental justice and food insecurity. I joined SEC hoping to grow as a person and improve my communication and organizing skills! This year I am looking forward to helping the SEC create a safe space while implementing collective and sustainable practices through out UCSC that will benefit students and the rest of the community. Outside of SEC, I like to do pretty much anything. I love plants and have successfully managed to help them grow! I also enjoy thrifting, painting, and watching movies. I am aim to create a safe space for everyone to be themselves in and practice organizing for justice.

Contact: vsmena@ucsc.edu

Cassandra Wood

Blueprint CUIP Co-Chair

Hello! I am Cassandra Wood, a second year senior Environmental Studies major. I have the desire to make a change and catalyze the people in the community to join activism, which is why I joined the SEC spring quarter. Now, I am the Blueprint CUIP this year and very excited to call to action and revolutionize our university in environmental and sustainable development. My priorities are emphasizing environmental education for all, environmental justice, and accessible sustainability. I hope to connect with as many members of our community as possible and impact people's lives for the better. Please collaborate and join me in my endeavors this year at UCSC and in the future. Thank you all.

Contact: cwood1@ucsc.edu

Liane Bauer

Media and outreach Co-Chair

In spring of 2019, I graduated with a degree in Legal Studies and concentrations in environmental law and policy. I currently work as a legal assistant at a tax law office in downtown Santa Cruz and intern at an immigration legal services non profit in Watsonville. Reflecting on how I was able to score these amazing positions, it is obvious the impact SEC had on my hire-ability.

It is an understatement to say that SEC was the most impactful experience of my college career. Not only because I was able to learn about and act upon so much relating to environmental injustice and sustainability but also because of the sense of belonging this amazing organization provided me. Even today, as a UCSC graduate/SEC alum, no other group welcomes me back to events with such open arms. Even more so, SEC gave me so many opportunities to practice skills employers are looking for as well as tangible skills to organize, implement, and argue for what is just. These lessons will stick with me as I plan to attend law school and become an attorney whose priorities are attacking environmental racism and holding polluting corporations accountable. I have SEC to thank for instilling these essential values in me. 

Contact: liane.bauer25@gmail.com

Ami Gonzalez

Green Building Co-chair

Hello! I am a third year Environmental Studies major with a minor in Japanese. I am also currently an EOP Bridge Mentor for first year students. I have a huge passion for the environment and art; for this reason, I'm hoping to go to grad school in Environmental Design/Architecture, then design eco-friendly buildings. I love meeting and interacting with students as well as promoting sustainable practices on campus. I love to laugh, paint rocks, go on adventures and cook Japanese curry! I hope to meet you soon!

Contact: agonza82@ucsc.edu

Beckie Phanh

Personnel Co-chair

Hey Ya'll! I am a third year with a proposed Psychology major. I am currently working as SEC's Personnel Co-Chair, which has been amazing because it comprises of everything I love to do. I am very passionate about helping people and being able to support those who need it because without the support of many others I would not be where I am today. Outside of SEC, I volunteer with Rotaract at local community service events, work at Terry Freitas Cafe on campus, and I like to go on adventures! I look forward helping out and supporting all of you!

Contact: bphanh@ucsc.edu

Brandon Truong

General Co-Chair

I am currently the Waste Prevention Coordinator for the Student Environmental Center. I hope to bring my experience as a student leader from the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), and student government to collaborate with organizations on campus and work towards the university’s goal of zero waste by 2020. I also hope to encourage people to acknowledge and understand the waste that they produce in their everyday lives goes and further comprehend the complex systems that each product undergoes to decompose or be put back into the system. In my free time, I enjoy reading, adventuring outdoors, and cooking.

Contact: btruong2@ucsc.edu

Daniela Galvez

Media and Outreach Organizer

I’m a 4rd year Earth and Planetary Science major concentrating in geology. I’m passionate about understanding the interconnectedness of land, ocean, atmospheric reservoirs and the system’s response to climate change.

I’m excited to be apart of SEC to increase student participation in advocating towards holding federal agencies and legislation accountable for protecting our environment. I’m also passionate about working towards an expansive and innovative sustainable future for UCSC.

When I’m not organizing, I love to be apart of conservation research via the UC Natural Reserves.

Contact: dagalvez@ucsc.edu

Avella Degennaro

Organizer

Hi, my name is Avella, and I am a second year Literature major! Over the past few months I have enjoyed the opportunity to learn about waste management on campus and to participate in efforts to improve it. One fun fact about me is that I love cats!

Contact: adegenna@ucsc.edu

MEET OUR ADVISOR

Carmen Gutierrez 

Student Advisor

Carmen was recently hired as the Sustainability Program Manager for the Enviroslug organizations. As a student she was involved in the Student Environmental Center, worked as a Peer Advisor in different offices, and was part of the Student Organization Leadership Body. She graduated with a double major in Ecology & Evolution Biology and Environmental Studies. 

Contact: cgutier9@ucsc.edu