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On May 21, 2023, more than 150 Rubenstein School students received their Bachelor of Science degrees. Joined by their families and friends, the graduates gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and hear inspirational words from their faculty, Dean, and guest speaker. It was a culminating moment that marked four years of experiential learning, rigorous study and research, and community-building.

Before the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, they heard from this year’s special guest speaker—Rubenstein School alumna Nathaly Agosto Filión. Nathaly earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from �պ����� (�պ�����) in 2005. She returned to the Rubenstein School to earn her Master of Science in Natural Resources in 2010 for which she investigated climate change and community preparedness in the rural Dominican Republic.

Nathaly now serves as the Deputy Chief Climate Resilience Officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In this capacity, she works to accelerate the implementation of statewide resilience policy and programs developed by the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience.

Throughout her career, Nathaly has helped to develop, design, and deliver national and regional capacity-building programs for local government and community-based sustainability practitioners. Nathaly was one of the Rubenstein School’s USDA Multicultural Scholars and has frequently joined first-year students in their Race and Culture in Natural Resources course as a guest speaker.

When introducing Nathaly to the graduates, Interim Dean Allan Strong highlighted these purpose-driven efforts to build healthy, sustainable, resilient communities. He described her as “an amazing person and an inspiring leader in diversifying the environmental movement and fighting for racial and climate justice.”

A message of hope

At the podium, Nathaly greeted the students joyfully, exclaiming, “Graduates you are truly a sight to behold!” She expressed her pride in being part of the Rubenstein School community and being invited back for such a meaningful event. In her speech, Nathaly shared stories illustrating her personal journey as a woman of color born in the Dominican Republic, raised in Manhattan, NY, educated at �պ�����, and now succeeding in a career in government and climate.

She reflected on the moment that followed her own graduation, calling it a leap into the unknown. Acknowledging that the class of 2023’s college experience was significantly impacted by the pandemic, Nathaly also expressed confidence in the students sitting in front of her.

“You’ve all found a way to live with uncertainty,” she said. “You’ve already demonstrated an incredible degree of personal and mental toughness to get to where you are today.”

She talked about the challenges ahead of all of them, particularly with respect to the state of our climate. Nathaly shared that in the course of her work to advance environmental resilience she has found that it is crucial to return to hope when faced with anxiety or doubt.

“Stepping into the role of a change agent takes heart, it takes courage, and it demands a posture of curiosity,” said Nathaly. “Our collective creativity and ingenuity is all we need.”

Inclusion and working across difference were core themes of Nathaly’s speech. She implored the graduates to set the table authentically and intentionally to include people who have historically been marginalized and underrepresented.

“If you’re feeling discomfort about speaking up, it’s probably even more important that you do speak up,” said Nathaly. “Seek out your fellow change agents and hear their stories. It will aid your creativity; it will help you see new and different ways to do this work.”

Nathaly concluded her remarks with a rousing charge to the graduates: “You have the skills and the knowledge to make a meaningful impact. You have a stellar education. You have a network of nationally and internationally recognized thought leaders by virtue of your connection with the Rubenstein School. Give yourself permission to lead. Give yourself permission to mess up. And reflect and try again.”

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