As a working parent in a toxic household, Hawk McFadzen, a gender non-binary person, knew that higher education and ending a bad relationship were the only ways to pull the family out of poverty. After a 20-year hiatus, they returned to school, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2018. They are now pursuing a master’s in sociology with a research emphasis at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Hawk’s college career has been driven by a deep conviction for food justice in South Los Angeles. To educate and help feed students in need, Hawk was instrumental in opening the Urban Farm at CSUDH in spring 2018. The farm quickly gained popularity among students and faculty, who created curricula that integrates with the Urban Farm’s educational potential.

Hawk plans to continue researching the intersection of food access and race in higher education while pursuing a Ph.D. in urban planning, with the hope of applying research to improve food policy in Los Angeles.