Chrislyn DeMattos

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

As a highschool student I had always been interested in the environment and bettering my community. My college counselor suggested I apply to Lewis & Clark College since the environmental Studies program is renowned! I was also able to visit L&C while in highschool and met with the track and field coach. Seeing the campus in-person made me so excited to potentially attend!

What have you been doing since graduation?

After graduation, I completed my masters of environmental management degree at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. I have gone on to work for my college, focusing on retention events, and coordinating a large agricultural grant consortium. I also adopted a puppy at the start of the pandemic, while I was completing graduate school!

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for post-college life?

Lewis & Clark gave me all the necessary tools to successfully complete graduate school and thrive in my current position. There are so many leadership opportunities at L&C which I tried to take advantage of. I learned how facilitate groups, lead meetings, create scientific reports and work, and so much more! I learned to be confident in my skills as well, which has lead to more professional opportunities.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

One of the most valuable things I learned at Lewis & Clark is to immerse and dedicate yourself to new experiences! If I hadn’t participated in extracurricular activities or partaken in educational events I would not have been as prepared for graduated school or the professional world. It is so important to try new things, and L&C has an amazing support system in place for their students as they go on new journeys.

Why did you major in Environmental Studies?

Growing up in Hawai’i I had always been surrounded my magnificent landscapes, such as vibrant mountain ranges, beautiful sandy beaches, and lush forests. I knew that I wanted to learn skills that would allow me to protect and preserve my environment around me. After some research, and encouragement from my college counselor I learned about the ENVS program at L&C. I especially liked how balanced and well-rounded the program was; I learned about environmental justice, environmental law, climate cycles, GIS, and so much more!

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

I love to stay up to date on activities and events by following the L&C instagram page. The alumni newsletters are also helpful and include so many amazing opportunities. I hope to join one of my local L&C gatherings in Hawai’i now that the pandemic is over.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

A wonderful opportunity to learn from broad range of topics to hone in your favorite areas.

What was your favorite class? How did it expand your knowledge?

One of my favorite courses was ENVS 311 (Un)Natural Disasters, taught by Dr. Liz Safran. It was so fascinating to learn about past environmental disasters and the social and environmental impacts they had on communities. It also helped to inform my own capstone and research on how environmental disasters (or ecological events) in Hawai’i have influenced history.

Where did you find your community on campus?

I initially found my community within the track and field team at L&C. It was so nice to experience collegiate sports and immediately have a family that was there for each other in academics and in life! It was also wonderful to connect with other Hawai’ian students through the Hawai’i Club! I had the opportunity to help in planning our annual Luʻau and in choreographing dances.

Who was your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?

My mentor on campus was Jim Proctor! He was my advisor throughout my time at L&C and guided me a lot in terms of courses and what I wanted to pursue in graduate school. I also learned a lot with him when assisting with the ENVX Symposium, especially in terms of event planning, leadership skills, and communicating with industry professionals.