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Over Spring Break 2025, a group of Cal Poly Pomona students took their education far beyond the classroom, traveling to Panama from March 27 to April 6 as part of an immersive learning program led by Dr. Reese, professor of the Political Science Department. This high-impact, interdisciplinary experience focused on biodiversity, sustainability, conservation, and environmental politics, all through the lens of Panama’s unique ecological and political landscape.

In alignment with Cal Poly Pomona’s polytechnic identity and “Become by Doing” ethos, students engaged in a range of experiential learning opportunities, including field research, academic exchanges, and volunteer service. The program emphasized the kind of hands-on, real-world education that research shows is key to student success.

Students visited the Universidad de Panama to attend lectures and collaborate with Panamanian students, deepening their understanding of the country’s environmental challenges and achievements. The program also included a deep dive into Panama Canal politics, with students exploring the current dynamics affecting this critical global trade route and its environmental impacts.

A highlight of the trip was a three-day service project at Banco de Alimentos Panamá, a nonprofit food bank that combats hunger through the collection and distribution of food surplus. Students helped inspect, sort, and package donations for communities in need, building not only cross-cultural awareness but also a deepened understanding of food justice and community-based environmental action.

All participating students received full travel scholarships, made possible by the Sean Yu Student Travel Fund. Sean Yu, a proud Cal Poly Pomona Political Science alumnus and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, generously established the scholarship to ensure that transformative learning opportunities like this one are accessible to students regardless of financial background.