2024 graduate Kent Harlow received the Kathryn Cheney Merriam Scholarship to help support his studies. Kent has an undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology and conservation biology and is pursuing a Single Subject teaching credential in Life Science, which will qualify him to teach biology at the high school level, or science at the middle school level. After graduation, he hopes to teach locally in the area.
UC Santa Cruz interviewed him about his academic experience and the impact of receiving this award.
What memorable moment stands out for you as a student here?
Teaching and creating meaningful science lessons with mentors, peers, and students – ranging from local and immediate issues like the effects of developing the riparian area of San Lorenzo Park, historical ones such as the effects of heat and redlining in the greater Bay Area, to leading challenging and important classes to understand sexism, gender, and anatomy through Caster Semenya and an inspection of women’s track and field.
What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz?
I hope incoming students will listen and learn from the diverse array of communities within our schools and area. There is endless opportunity to further connect to the local environment and a variety of issues, but importantly, fostering the relationships within them is essential to meet the vast need we see in our public schools.
How will this scholarship impact your academic life?
Easing the burden of tuition as an older, out-of-state student will allow me to further establish myself in the Santa Cruz community and bridge the work of UCSC and our public schools, incorporating best science practices from research and tackling real world and pressing issues our students and community face. The scholarship will allow me to continue the work of serving the community, as well as further cementing myself within it as a resident, educator, and (hopefully soon) parent as well.