September Shero for the Mountain Region
Sandra Bernal graduated from the Arid Lands Resource Sciences PhD program in 2018. She is a social science researcher, lecturer and instructional specialist at the University of Arizona. She was also named Hispanic Serving Institutions Fellow at the university. The focus of her research is on health and how it relates to buildings, cultural implications within sustainability, and online education, among other fields.
Here’s what she say on the significance of this acknowledgment :
“This recognition means that even efforts made behind the scenes to improve our built environment do not go unseen and are celebrated. Not to mention how significant this recognition is while being part of the Hispanic community in the US, a mother, and sometimes part of a vulnerable population. Everyday, I feel more empowered and capable of reaching higher goals in life and professionally. I owe that to the family and organizations I left in Mexico 12 years ago, my children, my new family, and all of you here in Tucson that have supported and inspired me.”
Read more about Sandra’s recognition by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) at: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/purpose-drives-leadership-usgbcs-september-sheroes(link is external)
Sandra’s dissertation: