Antioch University New England

05/31/2026

Jason Rhoades, Core Faculty of Environmental and Sustainable Studies, and alum Ximena Gallegos Gutierrez (MS Environmental Studies), published a new article in Environmental Education Research titled, “Comparative Assessment of the Environmental Education Policies of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.”

The study tackles a practical problem: national environmental education (EE) policies shape what countries can implement at scale, yet researchers and policymakers have had limited comparative guidance for how to design strong national EE policy. Rhoades and Gallegos Gutierrez address that gap by building an assessment framework tailored to a South American context and applying it to publicly available national EE policy documents from Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. They evaluate policies across six dimensions —evidence-based grounding, regional relevance, attention to community issues, political feasibility, financial realism, and stakeholder consensus—and map how countries differ in content, approach, and underlying theories.

Read the article here:

While national environmental education (EE) policies are crucial in advancing the field, there is a lack of available research and guidance to inform their development. This research aims to fill t...

05/30/2026

Another commencement recap, just because! 🎓 👏

Royale Randall, a graduate of the MA in Education program, shares the important things they learned on their path to becoming a trauma-based educator.

05/27/2026

May is observed as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Quynh Tran, PsyD, and Henna Chandel, PsyD, presented in the Social Justice Research Symposium in 2023 during their time at Antioch, bringing awareness to sexual violence experienced by Asian American women. In this video clip, we discuss how hate crimes against AAPI has grown exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out their full presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAjsQdm71XQ

05/22/2026

May is .

This is a reminder to all those struggling with grief, loss, depression, and other mental health struggles: it isn’t easy to ask for help, to pull yourself out of your darkness, to find the energy to “fix” it all.

The most important thing is that you’re trying; you can see it in the nature walks you take, the boundaries you establish, the routines you work to follow, the times where crying is the only way to let it out. Self-care sounds easy, but on those days where you can’t get out of bed or have energy to make a simple meal, things feel heavy and hopeless.

We’re all ebbing and flowing, navigating life and doing our best to find peace, happiness, and joy in the midst of chaos. Take care of yourself in the ways that you can even if it’s just one simple action to turn your day around. That can look like reaching out to a friend, writing out your feelings, or giving yourself time to “veg” out when you need it most.

“It’s not a mountain that you climb or a hurdle that you jump, it’s something that you live with in an ongoing way. People want that narrative of illness being in the past tense. But a lot of the time, it isn’t.” - John Green

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact NAMI’s HelpLine by texting 988 or calling (800) 950-6264.

05/21/2026

For Kara Hassett, Antioch’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program was a journey of both personal and professional self-discovery.

The student speaker for her major during the 2026 commencement held earlier this month, Kara shared some of the things she learned about the mental health field and what it takes to be a supportive counselor.

05/16/2026

So proud of the Class of 2026!

MS in Conservation Biology graduate Chris Liazos, the student speaker for the Environmental Studies program, shows off his forestry vest, an item he wore all throughout his classes and experiences at Antioch New England. Chris has been a Bird Conservation Intern at the Harris Center for Conservation Education throughout his time in graduate school. He was recently hired as the Extension Forestry Outreach Coordinator for the University of Vermont Extension Forestry.

Congratulations, Chris, and all of the graduates who completed their journeys at Antioch University New England!

05/14/2026

We want to talk about the term "humane education."

What does it convey to people? How is it being perceived? Who's using it—and how?

At IHE, we’ve been defining humane education as a field of study that explores the connections between human rights, animal protection, and ecological sustainability. We’ve long appreciated one of the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary definitions of the word humane as having what are considered the best qualities of being human. What that implies is that humane education can help people identify humanity’s best qualities and live accordingly – in relationship to other people, to animals, and to the ecosystems that sustain life.

But the term humane education has a complicated history. While the originators of humane education at the turn of the 20th century focused on issues related to both children and animals, in the latter half of the 20th century it was more narrowly associated with animals, specially those considered pets. And as IHE alum Jesika Keener, Ed.D. shared at our last community gathering, the term humane education can unintentionally reinforce the very separation it aims to challenge because the word humane – human with an e on the end – may inadvertently suggest human-centered and even hierarchical.

As an organization, we've grappled with questions around the term for three decades—and we'd love to hear how others are thinking about it.

So, we hope you'll join us on 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟳 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮 𝗽.𝗺. 𝗘𝗧 for our next Humane Education Check-In: What's In A Name? to discuss the language we use, the implications it carries, and what it means for the work we share.

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4ueeAFK

05/09/2026

Today is Migratory Bird Day!

Celebrated around the world, World Migratory Bird Day connects communities and organizations, emphasizing that migratory bird conservation is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can ensure migratory birds travel safely and continue to thrive for generations to come.

In Cheshire County, you may see the Black and White Warbler, Ovenbird, or Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (featured in this video!). You can find a full list of anticipated nocturnal migratory birds here:

Explore nightly migration data in your region

05/08/2026

“The connections I made during my program allowed me to gain invaluable experience working in marine mammal acoustics, which made it possible for me to pursue my passion and dream career in marine mammal conservation, working to help protect endangered marine mammals." - Phoebe Hodson, MS, Alumna in Conservation Biology

AUNE's Environmental Studies program is committed to educating students who are ready to create positive, progressive change. Whether pursuing a master's or doctoral degree or earning a credential or certificate, we empower you to unlock your potential and lead with purpose.
Our flexible, online, and low-residency programs allow you to balance your personal and professional commitments, while our in-person programs provide you with real-world learning from experts in the field. No matter which way you study, you’ll gain the skills needed to advance your career and make a real difference in the world.
Click the links below to learn more:
ES Master's Degree
https://www.antioch.edu/.../env.../environmental-studies-ms/
ES Doctoral Degree
https://www.antioch.edu/.../environmental-studies-phd/