FEATURED EVENTS

Earth Day Event Details
Dates: April 26, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. PT | April 27, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. PT
Location: Alameda Park, Santa Barbara, CA
Fielding Booth: 358

Fielding Graduate University is excited to announce our participation in this year’s Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27! We invite you to stop by our booth (#358) to say hi to our team, learn about our graduate programs, and connect with the local community as we highlight the incredible work our students and alumni are doing to drive positive change.

This year, we’re especially thrilled to feature two distinguished members of our Fielding community who will be speaking at the Climate Action Stage on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. PT.

A Joint Dialogue on the Climate Action Stage

John Ruffin, Ph.D.

John and Maria will be joining forces for a thought-provoking dialogue on the vital importance of Indigenous voices in land acknowledgment and environmental preservation. Their discussion will explore how honoring and amplifying Indigenous perspectives is essential to our collective efforts in protecting and sustaining the Earth. This session promises to be an inspiring conversation on the intersection of cultural heritage, climate action, and sustainability.

John Ruffin, Ph.D.
John Ruffin is an experienced Organization Development consultant and executive coach with a strong background in strategy formulation and culture architecture. As the founder of The Climate Dialogue Group, John has dedicated his career to fostering climate action through collaboration and leadership. John completed his Ph.D. in Organization Development and Change at Fielding and has earned his Evidence-Based Coaching certification from Fielding as well.

Maria Lopez, a former Tribal Chair of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Maria Lopez
Maria Lopez, a former Tribal Chair of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, is a cultural educator and dedicated advocate for indigenous land protection. As the founding director of The SPACE, Maria has worked to preserve and empower indigenous communities through cultural education and advocacy. She is also a lecturer at UCSB’s Bren School and provides cultural support for the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Maria serves as a Board Member for the American Indian Health & Services Clinic and is the Community Liaison for the UCSB American Indian and Indigenous Students Association.

Visit Us at Booth #358!
Whether you’re curious about our graduate programs or just want to learn more about how Fielding’s community is making a difference in the world, we’d love to meet you! Stop by our booth #358 to chat with our admissions team, faculty, and alumni. Fielding Graduate University is committed to supporting individuals passionate about social justice, environmental stewardship, and creating lasting positive change.

We look forward to seeing you at Santa Barbara Earth Day!

Event Details
Dates: April 26, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. PT | April 27, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. PT
Location: Alameda Park, Santa Barbara, CA
Booth #: 358

For more information about the event, visit Santa Barbara Earth Day.