“Despite her fairly short stature, this woman is nothing short of spectacular,” said Tiffany Lam, 19, earth and environmental science major. “Her passion in what she does for the environment in addition to the enthusiasm and positive spirit she radiates onto her students are but a few reasons why I look forward to her class. To say the very least, Karyn is the epitome of what a teacher should be.”
Karyn Kakiba-Russell has been teaching Humans and the Environment, biology and botany at Mt. SAC for 21 years and has contributed in helping change and maintain the campus’ environmental programs, while also influencing the lives of many students and faculty.
“Karyn’s lecture opened my eyes about environmental issues that I never knew about,” said Tiffany Wong, 20, business major. “It made me realize the reality issues that we are facing in today’s world and how it is going to affect the future generation.
Wong said that she found out in one of Kakiba-Russell’s labs how much hard work her instructor had put in to defend Mother Earth. “I never met anyone as dedicated and passionate as her for the environment and her class,” Wong said.
Kakiba-Russell said she has worked countless hours to preserve the Mt. SAC Wildlife Sanctuary. She co-advises the E.A.G.L.E. Club, where she facilitates Earth Week each year. As the department representative for the Faculty Association, Kakiba-Russell revised the curriculum for the Bio 6 and botany courses to be more current and environmentally sensitive. Her achievements reach beyond the Mt. SAC campus. In March 2009, Kakiba-Russell won the National Women’s History Month Award, which is given to women taking the lead to save the planet.
Co-worker and best friend of Russell for 21 years, Craig Petersen, professor of biology, said that Russell is the most giving person he has ever known.
“Due to her positive nature, she feels that if humans are given the chance and proper education that they can make the right decisions to ensure human happiness and survival,” Peterson said.
Kakiba-Russell not only advocates being ecologicially conscious, but also lives a green lifestyle herself.
“My husband and I live together on-site at the University of Riverside’s Granite Mountain Desert Research Center where we live ‘off the grid’, which means all of our electricity comes from photovoltaic sources and our water supply is from a well,” Kakiba-Russell said. Kakiba-Russell does not stop there. “I practice all methods of water conservation techniques, like having a front lawn made of plants and materials that do not require any watering. I was also the first member of the biology department to drive a hybrid and I eat low on the food chain, which means I have adopted a nearly vegetarian lifestyle.” Peterson said Kakiba-Russell practices what she preaches.
“People who know her well will say that she recycles everything, with an emphasis on the word everything,” Peterson said. Steve Nakai, 22, political science major, picked his major because he was inspired by Russell to be more politically active for the environment.
“It is really inspiring to see someone who has dedicated her entire life to advancing their cause,” Nakai said. “With a lot of professors you just learn about the subject, but with her, she relates it to real life and lends credibility to the environmental movement.”
Jorge Martinez, 32, environmental science major, was a student of Russell’s Biology 6 class seven years ago, and today maintains a relationship with her because she is a huge influence in his life. He said he has learned a lot from her and sees her as more than just another professor at Mt. SAC.
“Karyn is a true educator who really cares about her students. I see her as a mentor who is willing to give anything needed to see her students succeed, flourish, and keep moving forward despite all odds,” Martinez said. He added, “I also see her as a person whose love and care for life as a whole can never be replaced. Karyn has and keeps on inspiring me every day. It is because of her that I strive to become an educator, a mentor, and perhaps one day be as inspirational as she is.”
- Sonia Waraich
Staff Writer
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