UCLA’s class of 2025: A new generation of environmental leaders step forward
As climate urgency grows, UCLA’s newest environmental scientists bring curiosity, clarity and resolve
The UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability celebrated its 2025 commencement Sunday afternoon in Ackerman Grand Ballroom, honoring 120 graduates who have turned classrooms into laboratories for change — and who now carry that momentum into the world.
The class included 116 students earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and four graduate students — two receiving the Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability and two earning the Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering. Together, they represent a generation of environmental scholars and changemakers prepared to take on the climate crisis with bold ideas, rigorous training and a deep sense of responsibility.
As the opening strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed through the ballroom, students processed down the aisle to cheers and applause from family and friends. The energy in the room — buzzing with pride, joy and anticipation — set the tone for an afternoon of reflection and celebration.
UCLA IoES director and climate scientist Alex Hall opened the ceremony by acknowledging the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, calling them a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a present-day reality. He commended the graduating class for responding not with hesitation, but with action — engaging in research, policy and on-the-ground work across communities and ecosystems.
Hall was followed by keynote speaker Nurit Katz, UCLA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, who shared her own path into public service and emphasized the power of systems thinking, collaboration and civic engagement in driving environmental progress. A UCLA alumna and longtime advocate for campus-wide sustainability, Katz reminded graduates that even small actions — like opting for a reusable coffee cup — can be part of a much larger cultural shift.
Delivering the Environmental Science Class of 2025 student address, Jennifer Gonzalez-Diaz shared her journey from a small town in Mexico, where a dried-up lake and limited access to clean water revealed the tangible consequences of environmental decline. She reflected on how her family’s connection to nature shaped both her perspective and academic path, ultimately leading her to study environmental science at UCLA. Her speech called for solutions grounded not only in scientific rigor, but in empathy, equity and a shared sense of responsibility.
This year’s graduates came to UCLA from across the globe — and brought their fieldwork to just as many corners. Their projects spanned from Central Africa to right here in Los Angeles, partnering with community organizations, policymakers, scientists and agencies. Some tracked biodiversity in Guatemala’s cloud forests; others tested new tools to monitor invasive algae off the Southern California coast. Different paths, different places — but all united by a common purpose: to understand the environment and help protect it, along with the lives shaped by it.
Faculty presenters included emeritus adjunct professor Carl Maida, who introduced recipients of the Leaders in Sustainability certificate and the Sustainability Action Research awards — two interdisciplinary programs designed to equip students to lead environmental efforts across sectors. Doctoral diplomas were presented by Thomas Gillespie and Travis Longcore, co-chairs of the Environmental Science and Engineering program, and by Ph.D. chair Stephanie Pincetl. Undergraduate diplomas were awarded by Noah Garrison, director of the Environmental Science Senior Practicum, with each student crossing the stage to shake hands with director Hall.
Two graduates of the environmental science bachelor’s program were recognized for matching purpose with intention in the classroom, across campus and in community life. Joyce Goh received the Environmental Science Academic Achievement Award, chosen from a cohort where 16 students earned a GPA of 3.90 or higher, reflecting the extraordinary caliber of this year’s graduating class. Caroll Loupeda received the Environmental Science Outstanding Service Award for shaping a stronger student community, inspiring peers and translating environmental values into action.
After all diplomas were conferred, Hall acknowledged the Class of 2025’s achievements, sending them off with the final gesture that marks a Bruin’s transition from student to alumni. At his signal, tassels shifted from right to left and the room erupted in cheers, hugs and flying caps. Outside on the terrace, beneath a blazing June sun, graduates poured out into the heat — fanning themselves with programs, greeting loved ones and snapping photos to mark the milestone.
This year’s celebration marked more than a rite of passage — it marked a shift in momentum. With knowledge in hand and values firmly rooted, the Class of 2025 is ready to lead with clarity, creativity and conviction.
Congratulations to the UCLA IoES Class of 2025.
Click here to view the 2025 Senior Practicum Presentations on the IoES YouTube Channel.
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