Katherine Pryor
M.A. Environment and Community, 2008
 Her dream is a career that blends her creativity as a writer with her interest in environmental activism. Katherine Pryor is a published novelist who knew she wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest, so she started to research graduate programs in this area.
"I was accepted into both the University of Washington and Antioch, and had to make a tough decision. I chose Antioch because I thought it would give me new ways to think about creating change, rather than give me the skills to work within an existing framework. I was drawn, too, by the size of the campus, and Antioch's history of progressive thinking," Pryor says.
She reflects now on why it was the right decision for her. "You have much more flexibility and room for creativity than a state school would allow, and the professors are able to teach what they want, without conservative watchdogs trimming the reading list. Antioch is much more progressive than a public state school," she notes.
"Antioch changes the way you view the world around you. You have to be ready to have your world rocked, both personally and professionally. No one leaves the same person they arrived."
Her best memory is from her reflective practicum. "Different groups took turns presenting on books they had read about social movements in the United States. My group chose the dawn of the environmental movement, inspired by post-World War II consumerism. Rather than present a straightfoward report, we co-wrote a 15-minute play documenting highlights from the book, which we performed for our classmates, and later at the Fremont Solstice Festival. That experience taught me I could be as creative as I wanted with my assignments, and the end result was much more effective.
"As part of the Environment and Community caucus, I helped organize the Antioch March & Ride for the national Step It Up! climate change rally in 2007. With students, faculty and staff, we carried an Antioch banner in the march, as well as signs we made ourselves.
"It was an exercise in leadership, organizing, creative messaging and just plain fun to be part of. I felt incredibly supported by the University, and was proud to be part of a group who speaks up for what they believe in," she describes.
Pryor is especially appreciative of two core faculty members in the Center for Creative Change. "My adviser, Britt Yamamoto, became both a mentor and a friend, and I always felt incredibly supported by him. He is the sort of person who makes the 'impossible' seem possible, and always pushed me to think larger and dream bigger than I otherwise would have.
"I was also inspired by Don Comstock, who is able to incorporate real-life activism and book learning in a way I've never experienced elsewhere. His course on Economics and the Environment radically altered the way I see the world around me, and changed the way I engage others in discussions about environmental subjects. Everyone should take that class!" she urges.
Pryor worked as a graduate assistant in the Financial Aid Office while a student and shares this tip: "Apply for scholarships as soon as you apply to Antioch – don't wait until you're already enrolled. I did win two scholarships my second year, which allowed me to cut back to only one job (I had previously held two part-time jobs) and focus on my change project."
She offers this caveat to prospective students. "Antioch changes the way you view the world around you. You have to be ready to have your world rocked, both personally and professionally. No one leaves the same person they arrived," she says.
Although she has just started her search for that dream career, Pryor notes, "Antioch supported my desire to publish professionally, and I published a few short articles while a student. This set me up to freelance now that I've graduated. Time will tell."
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