How Mentoring Strengthened a Quest for Environmental Justice
Julie (“Jules”) Gonzalez, a postdoctoral fellow at American University’s Center for Environment, Community, & Equity, is an early-career researcher who is building a reputation for her expertise in environmental justice. AIR Scholar Marta Tienda, Maurice P. During ’22 professor emerita of demographic studies, sociology, and public affairs at Princeton University, has spent decades conducting groundbreaking research on racial and ethnic differences on various metrics of social inequality.
Through the AIR Opportunity Fund’s Pipeline Partnership Program (P3), Jules and Marta have forged a deep relationship that has continued for years beyond the formal mentoring program. In this conversation, they discuss their passion for addressing inequities and the powerful role of mentoring in their educational and career development.
Q. Jules, how did you become interested in environmental justice?
Jules: My interest in environmental justice was sparked during my college years, which I spent backpacking during my summers and spring breaks across five continents. In Egypt, I encountered poor water quality, which affected the food available to us as tourists. In Bali, despite its picturesque beaches and jungles, I found plastic waste in the water, impacting swimming conditions, aquatic life, and the fishermen who relied on these waters for their livelihood.
Living abroad in China provided me with firsthand experience of significant air pollution levels. In Beijing, for example, the air quality was harmful enough to have a noticeable impact on my health. I experienced headaches, nausea, and respiratory discomfort for about two days due to the poor air quality. Upon returning to the United States, I further observed the tangible effects of environmental exposure in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Texas-Mexico border where I grew up. This included increased flooding, extreme heat, and elevated air pollution levels. These experiences highlighted a common thread: environmental degradation significantly impacts population health. This realization propelled me to become part of the solution.
Currently, I am focusing on air pollution and collaborating with NASA Langley to measure air pollution levels in the U.S. By analyzing the intersections of this data with health outcomes and sociodemographic factors, we aim to inform and guide stakeholders and policymakers. Our goal is to advance solutions that address environmental challenges, promote population health, and ensure equitable outcomes for all communities affected by these issues.
Q. Marta, your mentor at the University of Texas, Austin, changed the course of your career. What made that mentorship so powerful? Why is it important for you to make time for a sustained mentoring relationship?
Marta: When I arrived at the University of Texas, Austin, for graduate school, I had never taken a sociology, statistics, or research methods course. My first sociology course was about modern Mexico, but because I had no idea how to approach a sociology paper, I drew on my undergraduate degree in Spanish literature to make connections with the readings about culture and social inequality. That got the attention of the professor, Harley Browning, who became my mentor and lifelong friend. He put his reputation on the line to sponsor me for admission to the sociology program. That next year was hard because I had to take all the foundation courses in statistics, research methods, theory, and demography. He guided me through my master’s thesis and my dissertation and taught me the value of clear, concise prose. And he humanized the arduous process of completing the dissertation. And he believed in me, always, even when I doubted. More than a mentor, he was a sponsor. And we became lifelong friends.
Mentorships don’t have endings. They are opportunities to forge lifelong friendships that transcend the life of degrees and research projects.
Q. Jules, what has been most valuable to you in your relationship with Marta? How has mentoring helped you make progress toward achieving your goals?
Jules: When I was accepted into my Ph.D. program at the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA), in February 2020, the global pandemic hit, compounding the difficulties of starting a Ph.D. One of my first classes, software coding for statistical analysis, was particularly challenging in an online format. The typical support systems, like meeting with colleagues or students, were no longer available. This isolation made it harder to collaborate, discuss ideas, and get immediate feedback, all of which are crucial for success in a rigorous Ph.D. program.
While struggling to develop an original research question for a research proposal, I felt isolated and confused. The complexity of this task and the high expectations of the Ph.D. program contributed to these feelings. While my friends and family provided love and support, they couldn't fully understand the unique challenges and demands I was facing. During this difficult time, I received an email about AIR’s P3 Fellowship Program for doctoral candidates, offering mentoring support. I applied to the program and was accepted. Shortly, Marta reached out to me, offering her support and guidance.
Marta's mentorship has been invaluable. She provided the wisdom and patience I needed to navigate my Ph.D. program, helping me to develop my research proposal and overcome academic challenges. Her support has been instrumental in my progress and success, and I continue to seek her advice and guidance even after the official mentor/mentee relationship ended.
Marta: I could relate to what Jules was going through because I’ve seen so many students struggle with the transition from research topics to doable research questions. Harley instilled in me and all his students the importance of formulating research questions that are substantively and socially significant. Like my own mentor, I always ask students, “What is the question you want to address?” If you don’t have a question, you don’t have a thesis. This is the hardest part of research, but once students have that question, it becomes a kind of compass and they can explore and experiment, change and redirect.
Starting a Ph.D. program under the conditions Jules did was especially hard, because UTSA is not as well-endowed as most (R1) research universities. She did not have the technology or library supports that Princeton provides for faculty and students. AIR’s P3 initiative connects talented students with experienced mentors who can support their journey through the Ph.D. and beyond. I learned a good deal about environmental contamination from Jules, so our relationship is not a one-way street.
Q. Marta, you’ve been described as someone who “sees life stories in numbers.” Can you explain what that means?
Marta: Race and ethnicity are an important axis of inequality and stratification, from poverty and welfare to education and employment. I approach this broad unifying theme through the lens of social demography, addressing questions such as: Who’s getting ahead? How are they getting ahead? Why and with what consequences? Harley Browning always reminded me that numbers don’t speak for themselves. Interpretations must be grounded in theory and explained in clear, concise prose, especially if the storylines will be used to make policy recommendations.
Q. Jules, what is the human story about environmental justice you want to tell with your research?
Jules: The story I want to tell is about the interconnectedness of our ecosystem and the urgent need to address climate and environmental issues impacting population health. Unfortunately, these realities continue to be dismissed as baseless or unfounded in certain discussions. For me, this is a very real issue. I have witnessed firsthand the effects of environmental issues on both the environment and my personal health during my travels. These experiences have shown me how environmental impacts in different countries affect population. Despite these challenges, I am optimistic that through collective action and awareness, we can create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
