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Environmental Champions Encourage Others to Take Action
Young leaders share perspectives for positive change during Robert Nusbaum Center event
University News |April 22, 2024
VWU senior Cecelia Aten ‘24 came to Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾ from a small northeastern Pennsylvania town, Benton, where she first developed her love and appreciation of the natural environment and her affinity for its preservation and protection.
“Before attending Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾, I was fortunate enough to grow up in a town that was surrounded by the natural world in some of its most beautiful forms. That might be a slightly biased statement, but I truly believe where I grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania, surround by forests, mountains, running creeks and streams… and of course, SO many white-tailed deer, it truly allowed me to see the beauty and simplicity of raw untouched nature. For many years, my little northeastern town was shaded from the negative consequences of climate change that were beginning to wreak havoc on coastal communities and urbanized areas. Soon enough, my little town which is nestled on the flood plain of two creeks, started experiencing higher flood frequencies, larger magnitude floods, and much greater damages from these floods. From these moments forward, I knew something needed to be done and I wanted to learn how to help.”
Aten says that her roots explains why she wants to make a difference, why she is determined to motivate others, and why she wants to learn and grow as an environmental leader.
“Being a leader is not just about what motivates you and gets you out of bed to continue your fight for action, but more importantly understanding what motivates those around you. The environmental problems that we are faced with today are not just affecting my hometown or the Virginia Beach coastal communities, but they are affecting everyone around the globe. So, you might ask yourself, why aren’t we seeing more people taking action, or fighting for environmental justice? Are people not motivated? Do they not want change?”
She finds inspiration in a quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
“For those people who might not be taking action or marching down the streets for environmental justice, before we assume they do not care, I believe we first need understand what their background is with this subject. We, as humans, are not motivated to do something just because we are told to do it, but because we have a preconceived notion of why we need it to be done. I believe as environmental leaders it is our job to educate those around us not only on what needs to be done, but WHY these actions need to be taken.”
Educating others is a role Aten has taken on, during her years at VWU and in the community,and most recently as a panelist of environmental champions.
The Robert Nusbaum Center at VWU Presents “Environmental Champions: Young Leaders Navigating Challenges and Shaping the Future”
On April 18, members of the VWU campus community gathered in Brock Commons for an inspiring panel discussion sponsored by the Robert Nusbaum Center. “Environmental Champions: Young Leaders Navigating Challenges and Shaping the Future” brought together passionate young leaders, like Aten, who are dedicated to addressing environmental challenges throughout their studies and in their careers. Aten joined three other young environmentalists, representing a variety of organizations, dedicated to driving positive change in the fields of environmental health, justice, clean energy, and grassroots organizing. The panel discussion was moderated by retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, chair of the Gunn Group and vice chair of the CNA Military Advisory Board, who led the interactive discussion that followed each panelists remarks.
About the Panelists:
Cecelia Aten ’24, President of Marlins Go Green at VWU
Cecelia Aten is a senior at VWU majoring in earth and environmental science and minoring in marine science. She’s been a member of the VWU Track and Field Team for four years and the Cross Country Team for two years, serving as captain for both teams during her time at VWU. She has also been very involved with campus environmentalism and sustainability with roles as the student chair for the Environmental Sustainability Committee and president of Marlins Go Green for two years. She has volunteered with organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Sierra Club. Cecelia hopes to further her passion for environmentalism, after graduation from VWU in May, as an environmental management officer for the United States Coast Guard.
Maurica Bynum ‘16, DrPH(c), MPH, REHS, CP-FS, Environmental Health Specialist with the Virginia Department of Health
VWU alumna Maurica Bynum is passionate about the environment and environmental health. She graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies. In 2018, she completed her Master’s of Public Health degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Soon after, she joined the Virginia Department of Health, where she currently works as an environmental health technical specialist and district standardization officer. She also teaches an undergraduate rural health course at East Carolina University (ECU) and a graduate environmental health course at EVMS. Bynum recently defended her dissertation at ECU to obtain a Doctor of Public Health degree, specializing in environmental and occupational health. Her research focused on diversity within the environmental health workforce. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and playing bass guitar.
Mason Manley, Central Virginia Organizer for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)
Mason Manley joined CCAN in May 2023, after graduating from the University of Richmond. He is originally from Brighouse, England, and has been in the U.S. since 2019. While working towards his BA in environmental studies, Mason led GreenUR – the University of Richmond’s student environmental advocacy organization – through an organizational transformation from service-oriented to environmental justice advocacy. The group’s major campaign sought to divest the University of Richmond’s endowment from fossil fuels. As a Bonner Scholar, Manley has also spent time working with the James River Association where he focused on the impact of dams on the James River watershed. In addition, he worked to provide free solar installation training to formerly incarcerated and otherwise marginalized groups through his work at Bridging The Gap In Virginia. At CCAN, he focuses his work on the opposition of pipelines, advancement of public transit, and strengthening youth climate activism throughout Virginia. He also serves as the National Technology, Finance, and Operations Coordinator for Fridays For Future USA. Manley is an internationalist at heart and seeks to think globally and act locally in all that he does.
Phoebe Murrell ‘21, River Star Homes Program Manager for the Elizabeth River Project (ERP)
A Norfolk native, alumna Phoebe Murell developed her love of the Elizabeth River splashing in puddles in her neighborhood off of Crab Creek. She joined the Elizabeth River Project as an intern in 2018 and worked in a variety of roles while completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾. She left the organization in 2021 to pursue her Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University, where she focused on community- and data-informed policy innovation while she became a truly insufferable Duke basketball fan. She is thrilled to be back on the ERP team now, managing the River Star Homes program. Murell loves spicy food, escape rooms, and French. At the time of this writing, she has a 630-day streak on Duolingo, but it’s probably way higher now. Enchanté!
After offering their insightful perspectives and sharing unique experiences, each panelist summed up their impressions concisely. “Never underestimate the power of education,” shared Aten. “Give people the tools to be successful. Your actions do make a difference,” offered Byum. “We’re going to have to fight for it. Get plugged in and take action,” suggested Manley. “In order to be most effective, understand the systems you are working in,” encouraged Murell.
In honor of Earth Day, VWU also hosted Greenfest on April 21, with generous support from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. GreenFest was an immersive and engaging festival for all ages that celebrated sustainability, community, and the beauty of our planet. The day brought the community together for environmental education, music, games, service projects, educational booths, and more, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship and positive change.
Learn more about Sustainability @ VWU.