Jorja Rose ’18 recalled falling in love with Bennington before she even made up her mind about which college she wanted to attend.
“Even before I'd committed myself to Bennington, I already felt the one-on-one attention I was receiving from admissions staff and interns,” said Rose. “I could feel Bennington taking a personalized approach where no other school took one.”
Rose came to Bennington with the intent of studying creative writing. After her first term, she felt the pull of environmental studies. She also completed two Field Work Terms in environmental journalism, writing for the Sierra Club and as a research assistant to environmental journalist Mariah Blake. In addition, Rose also became involved in the resurgence of the Bennington Free Press, the College’s student-run newspaper, and worked as co-Editor in Chief of the publication.
“Climate change seemed the natural intersection of what I felt immersed in—science, policy, theory, and the world's betterment,” said Rose. But writing remained very much a part of what she wanted for a career. “Environmental journalism defined my senior work and the career I wanted beyond Bennington.”
Rose currently works as a communications coordinator for Food & Water Watch, managing the national media advocacy campaign for this community-based organization that empowers people to pursue bold solutions to climate problems.
Rose is extremely grateful for the financial support she received in pursuing her undergraduate degree at Bennington, which included a 2016-17 Deborah Wadsworth Memorial Scholarship.
“I thank them for their immense thoughtfulness and generosity,” said Rose. “It means the world to me that people at the college show interest and find merit in my work. Such an affirmation gives me momentum. I am deeply appreciative.”
