Department of Applied Environmental Science
AES Faculty is Dedicated to Science Education and CSUMB’s Mission
Dr. Natalie Zayas joined the CSUMB community in 1999 and is a valued lecturer in the AES Department. She is also an alumna of the Liberal Studies program. She currently teaches ENVS 201: Introduction to Environmental Science.
We reached out to Natalie to learn more about what led her to CSUMB and her career. Check out her interview below!
What led you to CSUMB?
I had been a student and was asked to teach a course. After one semester, I was offered full time status and taught three courses.
What is your favorite part of being a lecturer?
Teaching. I love teaching. I obtained a certificate in online teaching in 2005. I turned one of my courses into a hybrid and later fully online- before the pandemic! I continue to teach virtually.
What are the courses that you've taught/are currently teaching?
Envs 201, which used to be ESSP 201, The Nature of Science. I was given permission to change the course to Introduction to Environmental Science. I also taught ENSCI 300 and 400, teaching a two-semester capstone course.
What is your educational/professional background?
I have a BA degree, an MS degree, and a doctorate in educational leadership- which is why I am a full-time school administrator and now part-time at CSUMB. I have teaching credentials and many certificates in environmental education. I have taught at CSUMB, the University of Virginia, courses in pedagogy at Harvard, and have taught 3rd-8th grade. I taught 6, 7, and 8th grade science also.
What hobbies do you like to participate in during your free time?
Kayaking, hiking, SCUBA, traveling - my favorite trip ever to Chernobyl, where I was on a team of educators focused on nuclear energy- the good and the bad. I was also on a governmental delegation team to Peru, focusing on eco-travel. I also like to cook vegan food and bake, read, and spend time with my adult children and, of course, my granddaughters.
What has been your greatest professional accomplishment thus far?
Traveling to Sinaloa, Mexico, to do water quality testing and being part of a team that got a water filtration system working for a village. It was installed, but no one included the community. They turned it off, afraid of what it was. I was able to explain to the team that the people must be included. Backtracking was done, and people were involved, and now health concerns due to parasites are gone for this community.
Anything else that you'd like to share?
I love CSUMB - I have watched it grow and change since 1999. That has been exciting. I have gotten to work with amazing staff, faculty, and especially students. I also hug trees everywhere I go
Thank you for all that you do for our students, Natalie!