Elise Bauman

What’s your favorite class? Why?

The Social Life of Policy (SOAN 325), taught by Jennifer Hubbert. I did not plan on taking this class because it didn’t apply to my environmental studies (ENVS) major (the only major I thought I would pursue). I had a class with Professor Hubbert the semester before The Social Life of Policy was offered, and she said she wanted me in the class and would waive all of the prerequisites. I loved the course so much because of the blend between challenging reading material and a semester-long independent research project. The autonomy of the class allowed me to choose a topic relevant to my ENVS major, which demonstrated to me the interdisciplinary nature of the ENVS, sociology, and anthropology (SOAN) departments. While I was in her office hours to talk about my SOAN 325 paper, Professor Hubbert helped me look over my 4-year plan and suggested I consider double majoring. I had no idea, when I signed up for the course, that I would love it so much I would declare a second major!

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I toured the campus with my dad just to see what a liberal arts campus felt like. I took one step out of the car and told my dad, “This is the place.” He said I was being dramatic and only liked the school because of how pretty it was. We took a guided tour, which solidified my belief that Lewis & Clark was the right school. I have always been the type of person to make long pros and cons lists, but for some reason, I just knew L&C was going to be the college where I ended up. I convinced my parents to let me apply Early Decision by highlighting the amazing classes, connections, and opportunities the school would offer, but it was that gut feeling that ultimately made my decision.

What do you like or find most interesting about your major?

As a double major, I love how my sociology/anthropology and environmental studies majors complement each other. Understanding how people structure their lives and communities is important when thinking about ways to promote environmentalism. My grandparents on my dad’s side were vegetarian environmental advocates, while on my mom’s side, my grandparents made their living as cattle ranchers. Seeing the two sides argue, I noticed they forgot everything they had in common. My majors help me understand why these divisions arise and the steps I can take toward promoting mutual engagement.

Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.

Though Lewis & Clark is a small school, I feel like it has been easier to build connections with my classmates because I see the same people everywhere! Having different groups of people for all of your activities creates an expansive social circle. I am still very close with people I met during the first week of college. Seeing the same faces all the time means it’s easy to keep in touch. I love the sense of community at Lewis and Clark.

If you have studied or will study overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?

I have been accepted to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, in the Fall of ’25. The program has a wide selection of classes I can take that would apply credits to my major, allowing me to comfortably double major in sociology and anthropology, and environmental studies. I am so excited to have the experience of studying abroad while knowing that the merit aid I receive will help cover the cost. It felt like such a unique opportunity, and I just couldn’t pass it up!

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Be friendly and don’t burn bridges with your classmates early on. The beginning of college is a stressful time, and just like you, everyone else is also adjusting. I met someone on my New Student Trip, but we stopped talking a few weeks into our first semester. Months later, we reconnected and realized our lack of time together was purely because of our busy schedules. If I hadn’t given our friendship a second chance, I would have missed out on one of my best friends.

Professors love it when you go to office hours! The faculty at Lewis & Clark chose the school because of the close relationships between students and professors. Office hours can help you better understand material/expectations, improve your grade, and connect with a professor who would offer amazing opportunities. I can’t think of a time when I regretted meeting with a professor. The one-on-one time always makes me feel more confident with the work.

How did your financial aid package influence your decision to attend Lewis & Clark?

The merit-based scholarship I received made the cost of attending Lewis & Clark comparable to the price of in-state tuition in California. I liked the appeal of a liberal arts college, and Lewis & Clark’s financial aid made it accessible.

Which residence halls have you lived in? How would you describe the hall’s personality? What is/was the best thing about living on campus?

I have lived in Forest Hall both years I’ve been at L&C. Alder, my first year, and now as a sophomore, I am a resident advisor in Spruce Hall. I love the Forest dorms. Having two kitchens and a common room on every floor helps you get to know the people you live next to. The best thing about living on campus is the proximity to friends. Coming from a family that cooked dinner and ate together almost every night, having communal kitchens to cook food with my friends helped me adjust to life away from my family.

What’s one of the best spots on campus?

I love the graduate campus. It’s secluded from the main college, making it a great place to lie out on the lawn. I have spent hours lying in the sun doing homework, journaling, and talking with friends while watching bees from the SEED’s (Students Engaged in Eco-Defense) nearby bee garden. The graduate campus also connects to trails that wind through Tryon Park, another great place to destress.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

This may be a controversial take, but I love Portland’s weather. The cloudy weather makes me want to curl up in my dorm with homework and a mug of tea, making me very productive during the rainy season. When the sun comes out, the entire atmosphere on campus shifts. The cloudy weather makes people appreciate and take advantage of good weather, meaning you will see everyone out on the reflecting pool lawns sunbathing, doing homework, and playing frisbee.

Have you had the opportunity to do research with a professor? If so, please describe the project and the experience.

During my first year, I took a class about gun culture in America taught by Jennifer Hubbert. I consistently went to the professor’s office hours to discuss the interesting material. Because of the effort I put into the class, she hired me as a research assistant to work on her data about non-traditional gun owners in the U.S. I got to read through interviews while coding for interesting quotes, repeating ideas, and unique experiences. The project gives me experience in a field I hope to work in. I take the information and summarize it into a complex document. I am so thankful for this research opportunity. It is hard to believe I found a job so interesting that it also pays well!

How has Lewis & Clark changed you?

My time at Lewis & Clark has grown my self-confidence. College is a time for independence; it’s a really scary thing at times, but the challenges you face help you form a better version of yourself. Living in a single room for both years of college, I have learned that sometimes the thing I need most is time alone. Friends, though they keep me busy, have other things they need to do and are not always available.

Looking forward to downtime by yourself is an incredibly important life skill. Living away from hometown friends and family allowed me to meet the new version of myself developing in college, and I quickly found out that she’s a pretty cool person!

What do you love about being a resident advisor (RA)?

Being an RA is a unique experience. Above all else, I love seeing my residents change over the year. Because most of the people in my building are first-year students, living on their own is a very new experience. Seeing their growth from the beginning of the year to now is only possible because of the close environment of our resident hall. From asking how to work a laundry machine to showing off their self-sufficiency when family and friends come to visit, I feel so proud of how much they have learned. College is half academic and half learning how to function as an adult; seeing them improve in the second area is the best part of being an RA.

Why are you planning to double major? What relationship do you see between your studies?

Oftentimes, academics in the field of environmental science look down on people with different perspectives on what climate management looks like. The language politicians and scientists use towards rural people is condescending, pushing them away from engagement. Majoring in sociology and anthropology, and environmental studies helps me understand the source of these divisions, which I hope to address during my time at L&C through my thesis, and after college in the job I chose.

Environmental Studies Sociology and Anthropology