SEAS commencement speaker Regina Strong: ‘Embrace the winding road that is your journey’
Acknowledging there is “much to do to ensure justice and stem the tide of climate change that is impacting our world,” Commencement speaker Regina Strong told University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and Program in the Environment (PitE) graduates they have the power to facilitate change.
“That might sound cliché, but it is absolutely true,” Strong told the Class of 2023 on April 29 at the Crisler Center. “I believe we all have the power to do things that can shape the world, impact our environment and, most importantly, impact people.”
As the head of the Michigan Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, Strong said she didn’t set out to become a government official who advocates for environmental justice. Rather, her dream was to become “the first Black version of Barbara Walters.”
After a brief stint in broadcast journalism, however, Strong went on to work in a variety of roles in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. As her career unfolded, Strong said she discovered through advocacy work that the “well-being of people” was important to her and that justice and equity remained at the top of her “passion meter.”
“I paid attention to what brought me joy, and you should too,” Strong advised the graduates. “As you go through life, take time to reflect on spaces where you find motivation and excitement or feel dread or discomfort, and then adjust your actions accordingly.
“As you leave this institution, please know that your journey will not be a straight line toward achieving all your goals,” Strong added. “Seek to embrace the winding road that is your journey.”
Noting that there aren’t assurances that one’s path will always be lined with successes, Strong encouraged graduates to do their best and try, even if it results in failure. Recalling the words of an influential mentor whom she worked with, Strong said, “‘Nothing beats failure but a try’”—advice that has served Strong well over the years as she sought to determine when to take chances or forge a new path.
“Success is not always driven by a single successful moment,” Strong said, “but more often is part of finding ways to push through not because of what is happening around you, but in spite of it.”
In addition to Strong, the Class of 2023 heard from student speakers Vincent Salgado (BS ’22, MS ’23) and Kat Cameron (MS/MURP ’23), who imparted their own wisdom about the future.
Salgado, an accelerated master’s degree graduate, a collaboration between PitE and SEAS, drew upon Indigenous philosophies about the Earth and sustainability in his talk, and shared two stories about the hummingbird and the crow as examples of how to overcome obstacles in the climate work that lies ahead.
“When times are hard, keep those you love close, and remember why you are going through hardship,” said Salgado, who plans to work with Indigenous tribes and historically overlooked communities to create a more inclusive, equitable vision for conservation.
“Remember that we march forward not because we hate the people in front of us, but because we love those who are behind. We march to make sure that as we liberate our lands, we do not become the oppressors or the colonizers ourselves. We march to heal one another, heal our souls, revitalize our communities, and restore our appreciation for human existence.”
Cameron, who is passionate about assisting Great Lakes and Midwestern communities in becoming more climate resilient, reminded students they are the “leaders and best,” a reference to U-M’s philanthropic website.
“We are leaders, we are change makers, and I believe to my very core that each and every one of us is going to have a profound impact on the world—whether you advise the president, become an educator or an advocate, start a small business, or help redesign cities,” Cameron told her classmates.
“Maybe you’ll transition a country’s energy to renewables, or you’ll spend countless hours in a lab or in the field uncovering little nuggets of new knowledge. Whatever position or title you may one day have, you’re going to aim to do it as a leader and as the best.”
More Information: Class of 2023 Graduate Profiles
Meet the future of Behavior, Education and Communication: Maggie Halpern (MS ’23)
Meet the future of Ecosystem Science and Management: Vincent Salgado (MS ’23)
Meet the future of Environmental Justice: Anna Bunting (MS ’23)
Meet the future of Environmental Policy and Planning: Joel Weltzien (MS ’23)
Meet the future of Geospatial Data Sciences: (Josh Habib MS ’23)
Meet the future of Landscape Architecture: Esther Chiang (MLA/MS ’23)
Meet the future of Sustainability and Development: Jasmyn Noel (MS ’23)
Meet the future of Sustainable Systems: Ritvik Jain (MS ’23)
Meet the future of Business and Climate Change: Zachary Marmet (BA ’23)
Watch the 2023 Commencement Ceremony