Department of Applied Environmental Science
AES Lecturer Reflects on CSUMB Experience
Monica joined the CSUMB community as a staff member in Fall 2002. She was also part of the first graduate student cohort of the Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy Master's program (now known as Environmental Science). Since completing her degree, Monica has been a faculty member for the AES Department (which was formerly the School of Natural Sciences) and has taught a wide range of classes centered on economics, environmental policy, and GIS. Additionally, she teaches classes at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
We recently reached out to Monica to learn more about her career and what led her to CSUMB. Check out her interview below!
What led you to CSUMB?
I came to CSUMB from Ireland in 2002 to teach the faculty and staff new CSU software systems. As a staff member, I took advantage of the CSUMB fee waiver program to take a few classes for fun. The first class I took in (what is now) AES was the spirited and inspirational Don Mautner's Monterey Bay: A Case Study in Environmental Science and Policy. My project work in that class opened my eyes to the field of environmental economics. I was fascinated to realize that economics is integral to environmental policy (something that is blindingly obvious now, but I had never previously considered), so I went on to study environmental economics and policy with Mike Dalton and Judith Kildow, then joined the first cohort of the Master of Science program at CSUMB, and just kept going!
What is your favorite part of being a lecturer?
I have a lot of fun exploring ideas with students, helping them discover connections between their academic work and their personal and professional interests. CSUMB students appreciate the privilege of having the opportunity to be at university when so many others have been denied that opportunity, and I am honored to have the responsibility of supporting them through this transformational period in their lives. Further, I value our close-knit staff and faculty community in AES – everyone is committed to providing our students a comprehensive education in the few short years we have together.
What are the courses that you've taught/are currently teaching?
I have been teaching ENSTU 280 – Environmental Economics and Policy – in one form or another for about 15 years. The course evolves with the world around us and with the changing needs of CSUMB students, so it’s always fresh and interesting. I also pinch-hit for ENVS 332 – Geographic Information Systems.
What is your background? (Educational, professional)
I started out studying physics, but straight out of university, I began my career as a software engineer, then moved into network engineering. In each position, I would get drafted into training others, so I’ve worked all over the US and Canada, then around Europe, the Middle East and Africa, teaching internet service providers’ engineering staff how to install and maintain the backbone of the internet. I found I was essentially teaching full-time with no teaching credential, so I did a degree in Training and Education at the University of Galway in Ireland. Whilst completing that degree, I designed and taught a program for unemployed people in disadvantaged areas. They learned sufficient web design and database development skills to enable them to work near home, rather than having to emigrate. That was a cross-border (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) effort funded by the European Union Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. I’ve always believed that education is the key to autonomy, and that experience really brought it home for me. Shortly after that program wrapped up, I accepted the position at CSUMB, and we moved to Monterey. A few years later, although I was already working full time and studying, the opportunity to teach ENSTU 280 was too enticing to pass up, so I morphed again, and here I am!
My research is in the socioeconomics of commercial marine fisheries, so I spend a good bit of time on other people’s boats, learning about their operations. I am a founding member of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust. We are in our 10th year of promoting sustainable fishing in the Monterey Bay region, so that our small-scale fisheries can survive to provide local seafood to those who need it. I am most proud of our Community Seafood Program, whereby we get local seafood to farmworkers, seniors, families and others. A few of our CSUMB AES students and alumni have worked with the Trust in various positions, and it’s a delight to see their professionalism and commitment to sustainable food systems, and to recognize how pertinent their CSUMB experience is in real-world applications. Our alumni are right up there at the top of the ranks among the conservation professionals I’ve worked with.
What hobbies do you like to participate in during your free time?
I spend a lot of time in, on and around the water – in my case, the North Atlantic. I’m in north Donegal, surrounded by hills, so hill walking is sort of our baseline recreation. My husband and I have sheep – he’s the farmer, I’m the shepherd, and we happily devote time to keeping them happy and healthy. When the weather pushes me back indoors, I’m a voracious reader, and around here, we spend a lot of time visiting with friends, family, and neighbors. I do travel quite a bit – throughout America, around Europe, or wherever my family and friends need a visit. This summer, we spent a week walking in the French Alps with 25 family members, residing together in one auberge. SUCH a blast.
I am a fervent volunteer. I move around a lot, and one way to make new friends quickly is by volunteering for causes that mean a lot to me. Among other organizations, I’ve volunteered for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Foyle Search and Rescue, PFLAG, biodiversity restoration efforts, many food banks, and various suicide prevention and bereavement support organizations. Of course, the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust has an all-volunteer board, so that is how I spend much of my volunteer time these days. When I arrived home to Donegal, I was quickly conscripted into a winter solstice swim to raise money for our local food bank. We’ve all been there … you really don’t want to jump into that cold water, and yet when you’re coming out, you are SO happy that you did.
What has been your greatest professional accomplishment thus far?
Supporting a few thousand students in achieving their dream of a college education, and going on to fulfilling careers doing work that they love. I appreciate the many missives I’ve received from alumni telling me what parts of our class discussions they still employ in decision making, and teach to their own colleagues or students. Nothing can top the rewards of helping other people understand and appreciate the world around them.
Anything else you would like to share?
For our students: Persevere! You’ve gotten this far, so you can do anything. And remember to step outside and enjoy the day. Or night.
Thank you for everything that you do for our students, Monica!