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 co-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 runs a small woodworking studio 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
Dr. Megan Fung is a geology faculty member in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department and has taught at Cal Lutheran since 2019. Dr. Fung teaches a range of courses, from introductory Physical Geology to upper division Climate Change. Her research focuses on analyzing ancient climate events through geochemistry and fossil reconstructions primarily in ocean sediments. Recently, Dr. Fung started a biomonitoring project in Carpinteria Salt Marsh with a large group of undergrad research students. Their goals are to examine seasonal changes in water chemistry and the potential impact on marine biota. Dr. Fung serves on the board of directors of the Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, co-directs the SEEd Project Garden, and is involved in several STEM outreach initiatives. In addition to teaching and research, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and playing board games!
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
Chaela Speck (pronouns She/Her) is a senior Philosophy & Psychology double major with a minor in Legal Studies.. She is also an RA on campus and a part of the CLU cheer team. After graduation, she intends to take a gap year to work and travel before going to grad school for her PhD in Psychology. She is excited to help plan events and connect with fellow UHP students this year, and loves meeting new people! If you see her don't be afraid to say hi!