Agnes Scott College Launches New Major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies

DECATUR, Ga. — Agnes Scott College has approved a new Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESS), an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students to address some of the world’s most urgent environmental and social challenges.

Set to launch in Fall 2026, the new major builds on the college’s longstanding Environmental and Sustainability Studies minor and expands opportunities for students to engage deeply with climate action, environmental justice and community-based problem solving.

“The creation of this major reflects both student demand and the growing importance of sustainability and environmental justice across every field,” said Rachel Bowser, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. “Agnes Scott students are engaging with these issues and working directly with communities to solve them.”

The ESS major is grounded in experiential learning, with students participating in research, internships and community-based projects throughout their academic journey. A required capstone experience connects students with real-world partners to address environmental challenges at the campus, local, and regional levels.

The program is intentionally interdisciplinary, drawing from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Students will develop expertise through one of two focus areas:

• Climate, Ecology and Health
• Environmental Justice, Advocacy and Communication

This structure reflects the complex nature of environmental challenges and the need for solutions that integrate science, policy, communication and equity.

The new major builds on strong existing assets, including partnerships with organizations such as the City of Decatur, the Amphibian Foundation, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, the Atlanta Regional Commission, Science for Georgia, Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance, U.S. Green Building Council and the Agnes Scott Center for Sustainability. These collaborations position the campus as a living laboratory where students can apply classroom learning to real-world impact.

Prior to adopting the major, Agnes Scott had a robust minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Alumnae have pursued careers in public health, conservation, policy, data analysis and environmental communication, as well as obtained advanced degrees in related fields.

“Since graduating, I’ve stayed in the environmental field both in my career and in my extracurricular work, and I constantly find myself building on what I learned in my ESS courses,” said Zoie Moore Stowers ‘17, Governance Assistant, National Wildlife Federation. “A major would have opened even more doors and strengthened the foundation I rely on every day.”

Graduates of the program will be prepared for roles in environmental organizations, public health agencies, government and nonprofit sectors, as well as for graduate study in fields related to sustainability, policy and environmental science.

“Our students and faculty are already finding ways to work on climate, on pollution, on health, on housing and displacement, on food and water, on justice. With this major, we are creating a clear, rigorous pathway for students who want to turn their passion for sustainability into meaningful careers,” said Jennifer Kovacs, Charles Loridans Associate Professor of Biology at Agnes Scott. “It connects theory to practice in a way that reflects how this work actually happens in the world. This major equips our students to do serious, interdisciplinary, justice‑oriented work on climate and environment, and to carry Agnes Scott’s values into the world in very concrete ways.” 

For more information about the Environmental and Sustainability Studies major, visit https://www.agnesscott.edu/academics/majors-minors/environmental-sustainability-studies/index.html.

About Agnes Scott College

Agnes Scott is a nationally acclaimed liberal arts college located in Decatur, Georgia—minutes from Atlanta’s dynamic tech and corporate hubs, influential civic organizations and world-class cultural institutions. Driven by a mission to educate women to think deeply, live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times, Agnes Scott offers students a rigorous academic foundation with an innovative, globally focused Summit undergraduate curriculum and high-demand graduate studies programs proven to prepare students for professional success.Recognized as a national leader in innovation and academic excellence, Agnes Scott has been ranked the No. 1 Most Innovative liberal arts college in the country for an unprecedented eight years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. This year, the college ranked No. 2 for First-Year Experiences, No. 4 for Social Mobility and is in the top 10 for Undergraduate Teaching. With a strong commitment to access, equity and intellectual curiosity, Agnes Scott prepares graduates to excel in high-demand fields and to lead lives of purpose. To learn more about Agnes Scott College, please visit agnesscott.edu.