Christina Torres, our Center Coordinator here at the Center for Sustainable Futures,  was recently honored with the Shirley Chisholm Trailblazer Award by Teachers College, Columbia University—an award that recognizes students who have made outstanding contributions to the Teachers College community through advocacy, innovation, and leadership. Named after TC alumna Shirley Chisholm—the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination for President—the award celebrates students whose work mirrors Chisholm’s enduring legacy of equity, courage, and change-making.

For Torres, receiving this award is both deeply personal and profoundly motivating. A native of Staten Island, she has long been a self-proclaimed “science kid,” spending her early years exploring the American Museum of Natural History with her mother and observing the ecosystems in her backyard. Her passion for science took root early and flourished during her undergraduate studies at the City College of New York (CUNY), where she met Dr. Amy Berkov, a mentor who would help shape the course of her academic career. In Dr. Berkov’s lab, Torres conducted ecological research on wood-boring beetle communities in the Neotropics, combining her love for biodiversity with a growing interest in science communication. 

This passion led her to engage public audiences in community gardens, launch See Thru, a startup focused on science communication, and teach ecology to sustainable fashion students at the Fashion Institute of Technology. These experiences helped her see science not just as a field of knowledge, but as a powerful tool for education and action—especially in the face of environmental crises. Motivated by these intersections, Torres applied to the Ph.D. program in Science Education at Teachers College. Her work there has included research with youth climate activists as a Zankel Fellow, co-founding the Summer Institute—a climate change education professional development series for NYC public school teachers—and co-leading the Sustainability Task Force, all while advocating for institutional change.

Chisholm’s legacy resonates strongly with Torres, who hails from an immigrant family and shares the distinction of being educated at both CUNY and Teachers College. Like Chisholm, she is committed to challenging systemic barriers and amplifying underrepresented voices in education and policy. Her research, pedagogy, and activism are shaped by a belief in the power of collective action and the necessity of inclusive, justice-driven science education. When asked what sustains her through the challenges of working on climate change and educational inequity, Torres credits her students and the youth climate leaders she collaborates with. Their resilience and drive to shape a better future are what keep her focused and hopeful.

She also attributes her growth to the village of mentors who have supported her journey. Dr. Amy Berkov remains a foundational influence, while faculty at Teachers College—including Dr. Ann Rivet, Dr. Felicia Mensah, and Dr. Jessica Riccio—have helped her bridge her ecological knowledge with the social sciences. Another pivotal mentor has been Dr. Oren Pizmony-Levy, director of the Center for Sustainable Futures, who introduced her to the field of climate change education and has continued to shape her research path.

Looking ahead, Torres hopes to continue building bridges between science, education, and public engagement. She is committed to creating inclusive spaces for climate and environmental justice, whether through teaching, research, or community-centered programs. Her goal is to ensure that all students see themselves as capable of shaping a sustainable and equitable future—true to the spirit of Shirley Chisholm’s trailblazing legacy.