Celebrating 20 years of the Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management major
The interdisciplinary undergraduate program is supported by a robust community of CFANS staff and faculty.
November 12, 2026
On October 21, 85 students, alumni, faculty, staff, College and University leaders gathered at the Bell Museum to celebrate two decades of the Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (ESPM) undergraduate major. Surrounded by the museum’s exhibits, the evening honored the program’s history and the collaborative community that has propelled more than 1,400 graduates into careers grounded in sustainability.
Unlike traditional single-discipline majors, ESPM bridges the gap between natural science, human dimensions, and policy. Its success relies on an extraordinary network of support spanning five CFANS departments — Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering; Entomology; Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; Forest Resources; and Soil, Water, and Climate — alongside 68 dedicated faculty and instructors who teach, mentor, and guide students.
C̣aƞte Máza opened the evening’s program with a blessing. ESPM major coordinators Professors Nic Jelinski and Mike Dockry welcomed guests before turning the podium over to University of Minnesota Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter and CFANS Interim Dean Linda Nagel. Both leaders emphasized how ESPM exemplifies the College and University’s strategic vision for cross-disciplinary problem-solving.
"Programs like this work because people decide, again and again, that working together is worth it," said Provost Ritter. "The hardest problems we face, and the ones that are most in need of solutions, don't fit within a single discipline. Twenty years ago, some of the people in this room built a program where a student could study soil science and public policy, or ecology and economics, and learn to connect them."
Interim Dean Nagel echoed the importance of this cross-departmental partnership, noting that ESPM has grown into one of the largest majors in CFANS by equipping students with both technical skills and civic understanding. "ESPM stands as a shining example of what is possible when we bring diverse disciplines together to serve the public good," Nagel remarked. "Programs like ESPM don't just happen. They are built through the vision, energy, and dedication of many, many people—including our department heads, coordinating council members, faculty, staff, academic advisors, and above all, our extraordinary students and alumni."
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by ESPM alumna Emily Cassidy, a researcher at Project Drawdown evaluating climate solutions in the global food system and a former NASA science writer. Cassidy reflected on how her interdisciplinary foundation in ESPM shaped her career path and encouraged current students as they prepare to tackle complex global challenges.
Guests also enjoyed catering by Native Harvest, access to two planetarium shows, and photo opportunities with Goldy Gopher. Special thanks to ESPM undergraduate program coordinator Natalie Slinger for organizing the celebration, and to the entire ESPM community for 20 years of dedication to educating the next generation of environmental leaders.
