Historically and internationally, students and youth have been at the forefront of advocacy, progress, and movements. By centering student voices and ideas, this session explore sreal-world examples of students envisioning and driving action for food systems transformation. We talk about alternative campus foodscapes, student food sovereignty, and equitable campus initiatives.
Panelists:
Dr. Michael Classens (Assistant Professor – Teaching Stream and Undergraduate Associate Director in the School of the Environment at the University of Toronto)
Lauren Jones (Master’s student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability)
Kaylee McMillan (Undergraduate student at the University of Michigan studying Environment with a minor in Sustainability)
Kenya Hall (Undergraduate student at University of Michigan Program in the Environment)
Panel Facilitator:
Clara Gamalski (Assistant Director for the University of Michigan’s Student Life Sustainability)
Speaker Bios:
Dr. Michael Classens: Michael is an Assistant Professor – Teaching Stream and Undergraduate Associate Director in the School of the Environment at the University of Toronto. He is broadly interested in areas of social and environmental justice, with an emphasis on these dynamics within food systems. As a teacher, researcher, learner, and activist, he is committed to connecting theory with practice, and scholarship with socio-ecological change. He has published widely on campus food systems issues in a variety of journals. Michael is also a founding member of the UofT Food Coalition and the Tri-Campus Food Symposium.
Lauren Jones: Lauren Jones is a Master’s Student in the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, studying both Ecosystem Science & Management and Environmental Policy & Planning. While completing her undergraduate degree at UM, she worked for two years as the UM Farm Stand Manager, where she led programming to provide organic produce to students equitably and managed the sustainable construction of the Farm Stand Trailer in 2024. Her thesis project focuses on the social and environmental impacts of implementing urban deer management. She is currently working with Student Life Sustainability to establish more student-led visionary projects on campus.
Kenya Hall: Kenya Hall (any pronouns) is an undergraduate senior in University of Michigan (UM) College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Program in the Environment. Their focus is on sustainable and ecologically integrated agricultural practices. They are also passionate about building resilient and equitable food systems both on and off-campus. He’s worked at the UM Campus Farm since 2023 and currently holds the position of Lead Student Manager.
Kaylee McMillen: Kaylee is a third-year student at the University of Michigan studying Environment with a minor in Sustainability, in pursuit of an MS in Environmental Justice at SEAS. She is currently on the Leadership Team of the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program, where she acts as one of two Kitchen and Foodways Managers. In this role, she organizes and facilitates Cooking in Community and Rooting for Change Cafes, which are based in an effort to build community, teach useful skills, and above all, get good food in the hands of UM students.
