Grinnell College to Introduce Environmental Studies Major

New program set to launch in 2027-2028 academic year pending approval

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Grinnell College is planning to implement an Environmental Studies major by the 2027-28 academic year, pending an approval process this spring. The new major will help the college remain competitive with its peer institutions, many of which already offer similar programs. The process of creating the major began in 2018 with a survey of over 100 environmental studies students and alumni, who expressed strong interest in adding a major.

Why it matters

The introduction of an Environmental Studies major at Grinnell College is significant as it will help the school stay relevant and attractive to prospective students interested in environmental issues. As climate change and other environmental challenges become increasingly pressing global concerns, providing students with robust academic programs in this field is crucial for preparing the next generation of environmental leaders and problem-solvers.

The details

The new Environmental Studies major will include three core courses covering earth science, environmental humanities and social sciences. Beyond the core, students will be able to choose a thematic focus for their studies based on personal interests, such as climate science or environmental biology. The existing 400-level Environmental Studies seminar will be retained as part of the major curriculum. The college plans to establish a dedicated department for the major within the next 5-10 years to streamline hiring and provide students with a wider variety of 300-level coursework, particularly in the environmental humanities and social sciences with a focus on agriculture.

  • The process of creating the major began in 2018 with a survey of over 100 environmental studies students and alumni.
  • The proposal for the new major will be submitted this spring and brought to the college divisions for a vote on April 13, 2026.
  • If the proposal is passed, it will then proceed to the curriculum committee and a final faculty vote on May 4, 2026.
  • The Environmental Studies major is planned to launch in the 2027-2028 academic year.

The players

Peter Jacobson

Professor of biology and chair of the environmental studies concentration at Grinnell College.

Ruth Feingold

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College at Grinnell College.

Andrew Graham

Professor of chemistry at Grinnell College.

Evan Couzo

Climate scientist who began teaching at Grinnell College in Spring 2025.

Jules Bacon

Professor who recently joined Grinnell College and contributes courses in environmental sociology.

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What they’re saying

“We are the only one of our so-called Peer 17 group of schools that we compare ourselves to, schools like Carleton and Macalester, that does not have an environmental studies or environmental science major. We have students who potentially could get a fantastic education in our environmental studies program who might not be coming to Grinnell because it's not listed as a major.”

— Ruth Feingold, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College (thesandb.com)

“One of the questions we had was, do we just maintain the concentration and make some minor modifications, or do we move towards a major? And what emerged out of that was a pretty clear consensus among alums and current students to add a major.”

— Peter Jacobson, Professor of biology and chair of the environmental studies concentration (thesandb.com)

“It's a way of acknowledging the importance of environmental issues broadly to what it means to be a global citizen of the 21st century. Whether it's climate change or loss of biodiversity or water scarcity, these are problems that are really, really important and that Grinnellians should be prepared to make meaningful contributions to solving.”

— Andrew Graham, Professor of chemistry (thesandb.com)

What’s next

If the proposal for the new Environmental Studies major is approved this spring, the college plans to establish a dedicated department for the program within the next 5-10 years.

The takeaway

Grinnell College's decision to introduce an Environmental Studies major reflects the growing importance of environmental education and preparing students to address pressing global challenges. By offering this new program, the college aims to remain competitive and attractive to prospective students interested in environmental issues and solutions.