Ryan Spaulding
Originally a pre-med major, Ryan Spaulding decided to go on an Alternative Spring Break trip to Orcas Island to help park rangers build trails. He returned with a change of heart and switched his major to environmental studies.
“I transferred to USC and didn’t think an environmental trip applied because I was a pre-med student,” Spaulding says. “But after my first trip to Orcas Island, I no longer had that passion for med school. I’ve been going back for the past two years.”
Through the Volunteer Center, Spaulding became an Alternative Spring Break coordinator and helped plan a trip to Death Valley to work on habitat restoration, off-road vehicle trail restoration, invasive plant species removal, and building fire lines to protect historic ranger buildings. “It was a very active trip,” says Spaulding. “I’m really into biking and climbing mountains so I brought my own personal touch to the trip.”
Melissa Gaeke, director of the Volunteer Center, says Spaulding has been a great coordinator. “He brings energy, excitement and a commitment to the outdoors to the Volunteer Center,” Gaeke says. “This year Ryan revamped our Death Valley Alternative Spring Break program adding significant environmental conservation discussions and outdoor activities to the trip.”
Spaulding graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. In addition to volunteer work, Spaulding was also involved with the USC Marathon team. As a team captain, he helped train runners for the Los Angeles Marathon. Spaulding also likes competing in ultra marathons (32 miles or more), and is currently training for his first 50-mile race in Minnesota.
This summer he will track coyotes and wolves as a field researcher for Yellowstone National Park. Spaulding hopes to enroll in graduate school in the next two years to pursue a career as a professor and researcher.