By Jineane Eason, Senior Manager, Donor Engagement & Gift Planning
In May, we welcomed guests, teachers, and supporters to campus for a celebration of the Climate Action Leadership Diploma (CALD) program, including the program’s vision and planning for the success of its first trail-blazing cohort of student graduates.
Spearheaded originally by former Pearson College faculty member Marija Uzunova Dang and former Head of College Craig Davis, a holistic curriculum to address climate change at the secondary level started to take shape and form in 2021. After extensive feedback, collaboration, and consultation with many partners, the first cohort of CALD students arrived on campus in 2022.
Now led by Program Director Emily Coolidge, fourteen students with varying experience and knowledge jumped first into an innovative, alternative, and new program. These same students have left with the knowledge, skills, and leadership attributes needed to approach and tackle the complex problem of climate change.
Now graduated, this pioneer cohort has received an impressive list of university offers and scholarships, as well as internships, paid employment and even one invitation to spend a year at CLI Dance Conservatory – to artistically explore the connection of nature, climate, and movement.
At the end of its second year, the program has doubled in size, growing to two cohorts with 27 students from 22 nations including six students from Canada, four of whom are Indigenous. Together, we congratulate our first graduates and look forward to welcoming our third cohort in August.
The creation of this program would not have been possible without the visionary support of our donor community. Thanks to the ongoing support of our alumni, parents, funding partners and supporters, Pearson College continues to be at the forefront of educational innovation to address the world’s most pressing issues.
Read 📖 the CALD Impact Report here and find out how our partnership with Royal Roads University went here
Watch 👀🤳 CALD student graduates – Maddy Mead (Y49), Escarlin Mora Sosa (Y50), & Alicia Yang (Y49) – speak about what CALD means to them at the end of year celebration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ETHGRzQyuE
Listen 🎧 to students Valentina Constancio and recent graduate Alicia Yang along with Director Emily Coolidge who talk about how the CALD program shapes the next generation of climate leaders in this unique “Someone Like You” podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6FPggObKFabEVDR8S5MQkY
“I can apply what we learned in CALD to make environmentally conscious choices, such as reducing energy consumption, supporting sustainable growth, adopting eco-friendly practices, and staying informed about environmental impacts, policies, and other initiatives, at the same time, advocating for positive changes in my home community.” – Kwaya Bluesky (Y49/2024, Canada-BC)
“The CALD program changed my way of thinking about how we think about the relationship of ourselves, our society, and the environment. Because we learn how to dissect and interact with complex systems, I have no doubt that the experience and learning CALD would help me create the change I want in any field I want to pursue.” – Iya Ben (Y49/2024, Philippines)