Warren Wilson College Sophomore Named to Inaugural Class of Conservation Scholars

Juanita Falice is one of 20 U.S. students selected for the inaugural class of The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Juanita Falice is one of 20 U.S. students selected for the inaugural class of The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Understanding a complex subject like conservation biology is one thing, but being able to communicate the intricacies in a way the public can understand takes it to another level.

Juanita Falice, a Warren Wilson College sophomore double majoring in creative writing and biology, is expanding this skill through scholarship.

Falice is one of 20 students from across the U.S. selected for the inaugural class of The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC), a two-year program designed to increase diversity within the conservation field.

“The goal of the program is really to identify people with the potential to be transformative leaders in conservation,” said Erika Zavaleta, environmental studies professor and program founder at UCSC. “It’s an effort to enhance the field of conservation in the U.S. by diversifying participation in it. In a disciplinary sense, it’s broad, but we are specifically looking for people who are passionate about their work.”

Along with her fellow scholars—including students from Yale University, University of Chicago and Stanford University—Falice initially focuses on coursework in field methods and professional development. The remainder of the summer is spent at five field stations, including Big Creek Reserve in Big Sur, Sagehen Reserve in Truckee, Crooked Creek White Mountain Research Station in Bishop, Swanton Ranch Reserve in Davenport and Yosemite National Park Reserve. The hands-on experience in a variety of different habitats and ecosystems serves as the base for concluding research projects.

Following this summer’s eight-week intensive course, she will participate in a workshop this January and an eight-week internship throughout the summer of 2017.

“My goal, on an individual level, is to gain the experience to do the kind of research that I’m interested in,” said Falice, who intends to pursue a career in science communication. “I think this will be my first opportunity to merge both of my interests – creative writing and biology – because this program looks for people who have a duality in their interests.”

Much like Warren Wilson College’s education model combining academics and applied learning as requirements to graduate, The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at UCSC is built on the idea that students learn more by doing. Falice expects the program to expand her knowledge and ability to “translate science research into something everyone can comprehend.”

“The program is run by a lot of different people in a lot of different fields within environmental conservation,” said Falice. “This summer, I’ll have the opportunity to figure out all my options. Then, I’ll take the year to focus in [on the internship].”

Discipline-specific internships with national conservation organizations afford all 20 scholars the opportunity to gain professional experience and expand their networks. After finishing the program, graduates join an extensive network of alumni from The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Programs at the University of Florida, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington, and Northern Arizona University.

Zavaleta said the connections to other students and professionals intentionally introduced through this program are its most critical component. “Our model for sustaining the scholars’ careers in conversation is a community model,” she said. “We feel the evidence is there that a network of relationships and connections is going to make a difference for them.”

During the application process, Falice stood out “as a very intelligent and exceptional individual who shows a strong commitment to conservation and a passion for increasing diversity through engaging in discussions around the subject,” according to UCSC program director Justin Cummings. “We all thought that she would be a positive addition to our group, which is why we were happy to make her an offer to participate in our program.”

Liesl Erb, conservation biology professor at Warren Wilson College, said Falice’s acceptance to the program is a testament to the caliber of the College’s students. “This is a competitive and highly sought-after fellowship, and we couldn’t be prouder of Juanita,” Erb said. “Conservation biology programs are rare in undergraduate education, and as one of the few liberal arts institutions that offer such a degree, we are always delighted to see our students connecting to other, like-minded students and faculty at other institutions.”

Once Falice completes The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at UCSC, Zavaleta has expectations.

“I would hope that Juanita comes away from this program with a clear sense of purpose,” she said. “I hope she comes away with a clear sense of how to mobilize everything that’s at her disposal as a student and participant in this program, with confidence about her ability to do that as part of a community.”

For more information about The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at UCSC, visit conservationscholars.ucsc.edu.