Timothy Baker, who graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a bachelor's degree in environmental science in 2016, is attending the University of New Mexico School of Law to pursue a career in environmental law.

The Greyhound Grad discusses his Eastern Experience and how his time at ENMU prepared him for law school.

Why did you choose to attend ENMU?

I had a few friends that played soccer at ENMU, and they kept insisting that I come play as well. I decided to visit the campus and try out for the team.

How did you choose your field of study?

I initially planned on studying mathematics, but I fell in love with science after taking Geology with Dr. Constantopoulos. I really enjoyed learning about oil and other natural resources that power the world, and then one fateful class Dr. C discussed the multitude of careers we could pursue with a degree in Environmental Science, and I never looked back.

Discuss your Eastern Experience.

I initially went to ENMU to play soccer, but I quickly fell in love with the community of Portales. At first glance, Portales seems to be a tiny farm town in the middle of nowhere, but once you start to peel back the layers, you start to understand how much it truly has to offer. Taking your first step onto campus feels like you've found an oasis in the middle of a desert. Fields of dirt for as far as the eye can see suddenly turn into large patches of grass with walkways that crisscross from one beautiful brick building to the next. The campus aesthetic is beautiful, but the best part of ENMU has to be the community. The professors and students are some of the most down to earth people you'll meet. Dr. Constantopoulos is a prime example of this. He was my adviser, professor for multiple classes, ran the Miles Mineral Museum, sat as department chair, created the Environmental Science program and is constantly involved in his own personal research, yet he was always available to chat with me, regardless of how serious the matter was. Dr. Constantopoulos was able to make me feel like I was the only student in the program, and it's impossible to put a value on that.

Which activities were you involved in during your time at Eastern?

• Men's soccer
• Dean's list all semesters
• Cofounded and then served as president of the Environmental Science Club
• Lucille Pipkin Scholarship for outstanding New Mexico geoscience student(s)

What inspired you to pursue environmental law?

Many things have inspired me to pursue environmental law, but perhaps the most important factor was taking Environmental Geology at ENMU, which was all about environmental policy. It was an incredible class. Here's an example of an assignment: we would have to pick a controversial topic, such as population control. We would read arguments from experts on both sides of the issue, and then we would have to pick a side and write about why we thought population control was or was not necessary. It was this type of critical thinking that really sparked my interest in dealing with environmental issues that are larger than society itself.

Describe your law school experience so far.

Stimulating. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals is an enlightening experience.

What are your career goals?

Ultimately, I'd like to work for the U.N. helping foreign nations resolve water conflicts. Rivers transcend national boundaries, and as populations continue to increase, so do the conflicts involving water. This can be seen across the globe, as well as in our own backyard. Egypt and Ethiopia are fighting over the Nile River; meanwhile, Texas is claiming New Mexico has overallocated water from the Rio Grande. Water is a finite resource that is likely to be the cause of future wars. I would like to use science, empathy and policy to mitigate the severity of these potential water wars.

How did ENMU prepare you for your law school?

My professors and peers at ENMU enhanced my critical thinking skills. Also, Eastern has a wide range of students that come from all over the globe. Being able to converse with people from such a large array of backgrounds broadened my perspective, which allows me to look at policy issues with a wider lens.

What advice would you give to a student interested in working in your career field and going to law school?

You don't need to study anything specific to get into law school, but you do have to excel at whatever you choose. So whatever you do, avoid the "C's get degrees" mantra because you'll need a stellar GPA to gain entry into a law program.

Are you involved in any organizations or causes?

I'm a member of the Environmental Law Society, naturally.

Who influences you? Who is your role model?

Elon Musk! He is transforming transportation with innovative ideas that will improve society as a whole.

What are your hobbies?

Soccer, sand volleyball, skiing and reading.