Leanne DeJong

S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Environment and Society

Leanna is a PhD student in Environment and Society. She received a BS in Biology, BA in Spanish, and minor in Environmental Studies from Calvin University. Her love for teaching began during these years while leading elementary school students in environmental education hikes as a side job. After Calvin, she worked several outdoor education and fieldwork positions before completing an MS in Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University. During her MS, she instructed a lab on woody plant identification. Realizing that she wanted to pursue a career in higher education to share knowledge about topics that she loves and inspire awe and curiosity (like she had felt over the years) in the next generation of problem-solvers, she came to USU to complete a PhD. Her research explores how faith communities contribute to biodiversity conservation, e.g., via management of worship center grounds as habitat. Leanna has been involved at USU in many ways, including extensive involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within her college. She teaches ENVS 3600 and is working towards USU’s ETE Teaching Scholar certificate. In her free time, she enjoys being with friends and family, simultaneously hiking/birding/botanizing, jogging, and doing art projects.