August 14, 1998

"I've always loved the environment and I realized this was a growing career for women. I want to help start a new trend in environmental technology," Explains Jasmine Primavera, a former liberal studies major. Primavera is the recipient of the 1998-1999 Equity Pioneer Scholarship, an award given to a student who is pursuing a nontraditional career.

Primavera says she likes the prospect of a career in environmental technology because it is a field with unlimited applications that requires skilled and experienced workers who are up-to-date on the latest amendments of federal, state, and local regulations. In this career, one must be on top of all the changes that occur, especially because human life and health are at stake, according to Primavera.

A native of the Bronx, New York, Primavera came to San Diego in 1987 with her family. She graduated from Mar Vista High School and then entered Southwestern College. "I first attended Southwestern College as a liberal studies major, but while taking a year off from school, I decided to pursue an environmental technology career instead. There are so many opportunities for everyone in this field."

This Southwestern College student has volunteered her time at various community organizations including the Border Field State Park and Tijuana National Wildlife Refuge. She has also tutored math students a Mar Vista High School and has participated in charity events to aid in the research of Multiple Sclerosis. She was included in the 1997 SWC's President List for obtaining a 4.0 G.P.A.

"I've learned a lot about myself since enrolling in this program. I've learned how passionate I am about life and the positive choices I've made along the way...," says Primavera, ... "I've also learned that I am just a single strand in an interconnected web of life. What i do to disrupt it will come back to haunt not just me, but that web. By educating myself I can help prevent, as well as reduce, harm to our interconnected planet."

Future goals for Primavera include attending the University of California at San Diego to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental chemistry, as well as a master's, and eventually a doctorate.

"My plan for the future, in using the knowledge and skills obtained from this program, is to continue my college education, seek internship opportunities to further enhance my experience, and discover everything this challenging career has to offer. I also plan, through small changes in the treatment of environment, to make big difference," concludes Primavera.

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