Meet the Team
Director, University Honors Program
Professor of Religion
Dr. Thomas teaches, writes, and researches at the intersections of religion, environmental studies, and food studies. He is the founding director of the SEEd Project at Cal Lutheran--a small campus regenerative farm and demonstration site for experiential learning--and currently serves as Director of the First Year Experience and Director of the University Honors Program.
In addition to his teaching and research, he serves on the board of directors of Los Padres ForestWatch and is a member of the Slow Fox Writers Collective. He runs a small woodworking studio called Wildbird Woodworks, where he designs and makes hand-crafted furniture and household accessories using local, sustainable timber.
His current writing projects include a trade-press book on nature, craft, spirituality, and the possibility of human community in the Anthropocene, in addition to several shorter essay-length works on trees, awe, wonder, practice, mycology, and other assorted topics.
Associate Director, University Honors Program
Professor of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Student Program Coordinator (SPC), Senior
Emilia is a senior at CLU, double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Spanish. She will also graduate from the UHP. Emilia is an intern this semester with the United Way nonprofit organization and is the secretary of the CLU Philosophy Club. Outside of school, she loves spending time outdoors, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family. Emilia is excited to serve as an SPC and help create engaging experiences for our student community.
Student Program Coordinator (SPC), Senior
Hello, my name is Chaela Speck, I am a senior and my pronouns are She/Her. I am a Philosophy & Psychology double major with a minor in Legal Studies & University Honors Program. I am also an RA on campus and a part of the CLU cheer team. After graduation, I intend to take a gap year to work and travel before going to grad school for my PhD in Psychology. I am so excited to help plan events and connect with fellow UHP students this year! I love meeting new people and am a certified yapper so if you see me don't be afraid to say hi.