Are you interested in joining the Environmental Conversations program?
All incoming first-year students are eligible for the Environmental Conversations program.
Simply choose “Environmental Conversations” as your top choice for fulfilling the First-Year Experience when filling out your Advising Questionnaire.
Up to 40 students will be enrolled in EnCon annually.
Environmental Conversations is an option available to any admitted student and is compatible with all prospective majors. Because Environmental Conversations, American Conversations, Asian Conversations, Enduring Questions and the Integrated Introduction to Chemistry and Biology (CH/BI) are all first-year programs, you may not be in both EnCon and AmCon, Asian Con, Enduring Questions or CH/BI. However, you are free to combine EnCon with one of our other two upper level Conversations programs, Public Affairs Conversation and the Science Conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about the program attend an information session on an Admissions-sponsored visit day, reach out to someone in Admissions, or contact the Program Director, Kiara Jorgenson.
Each year admission is granted up to 40 first-year students on a rolling basis. After admission is full a waiting list is kept and honored.
Admitted students indicate interest in EnCon when filling out their first-year advising questionnaire.
Application isn’t required. You should simply indicate interest in EnCon when filling out the first-year advising questionnaire.
Program admission takes place on a rolling basis. After first-year advising questionnaires are received students are placed on respective conversation program lists. Students can expect to hear about whether or not they have a slot in EnCon before summer registration.
Yes! While EnCon is unique as a first-year program only, other programs such as American Conversations, Asian Conversations, and Enduring Questions also begin in the first year. Therefore, if granted admission into EnCon and another program students must choose one program.
Kiara Jorgenson (she, her, hers)
Martin E. Marty Chair in Religion and the Academy; Associate Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies; Department Chair of Environmental Studies
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am and Wednesday 1:00-2:00 pm in OM 120C K. Jorgenson Office Hour Appointments- Spring 2026
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