Interview with B.A. Global Studies Student Dizzie Hus

The stories of Multnomah University students display the successful implementation of the University’s mission:

It is the mission of Multnomah University to equip Christian students through higher education to become biblically competent, academically proficient, spiritually formed, and culturally engaged servant leaders, shaped to be a transforming force in the church, community, and world.

With the enduring support of MU faculty & staff, students are empowered to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams. One such story of success comes from Dizzie Hus. Dizzie graduated this past December with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and a concentration in Sustainability. Read Dizzie’s interview below to learn about her unique integration of global studies, sustainability, and personal faith.

Why did you choose Global Studies as a major and why sustainability as a concentration?

I transferred into the Global Studies program after starting a similar degree at a college in California. I had taken two years away from studies to fill a staff position overseas, and when I returned, I was sad to hear that my former program had been dissolved. I went looking for a place to finish my degree and I found Multnomah! I chose to study global ministry originally because leaders of my church had encouraged me to; they saw that I would be a good fit for this kind of work and I still appreciate the encouragement they gave me. I chose the sustainability concentration as soon as it became available! During my time working in the developing world, I saw how vital agricultural skills can be and after working as a farmhand for a year before MU, I was eager to learn more!

What is the most important/valuable thing that you’ve learned in the program so far?

The thing that has shaped me the most from this program is the biblical reality that our God made us to be physical and spiritual beings. To be human in the truest sense is to have a physical body. Our physical bodies are good! The same goes for the rest of creation! It is good to care about the physical world around us because God delights in all of His creation, and He entrusted us with it. Creation care has eternal value; learning about our world in practical ways through time in nature or academic ways in the classroom are both worthy pursuits that bring glory to our Creator.

How have you been applying what you’re learning?

The Global Studies program requires a pretty intense internship, which I was looking forward to! I crafted a proposal for Multnomah and after garnering support from various staff and faculty, I presented it to the administration. It was approved, and thus my senior project became creating Multnomah University’s community garden. The plot of land designated by the school was the backyard of the Spiritual Life House, which was mostly lawn when I began. 2020 was our first growing season and the garden has produced more than I could have imagined for this strange year. Gallons and gallon of snap peas, then Kale through the spring, followed by cauliflower, zucchini, tomatoes, lush flowers, and plenty of thyme and rosemary. The garden has individual plots available as well as larger community plots, where undergraduate and graduate students work alongside professors, staff, and alumni. The Counseling Center hosts a plot and hopes to do group horticulture therapy in the future, and there are plenty of opportunities for other creative ventures in the garden. I am looking forward to all the ways this will be a beautiful, healing, space for years to come!

What do you hope to do after graduating?

After graduating, I hope to teach private gardening lessons to children and families in their own backyards. During this time of online, distance learning many parents are looking for safe ways to supplement their children’s education and gardening serves as practical life skills with a built-in science lesson. In addition to the environmental benefit of backyard gardening, many people find it to be excellent for their mental health as well. My long-term goal is to be a farmer, wherever the Lord has me. If that means staying in Portland and using the innovative field of urban agriculture or moving overseas and developing small scale programs, I am happy to be working with the soil. The gardening lessons seem like a great place to start!

Anything else you’d like to share about the program, your experience at MU, etc.?

I have found that this program, specifically this concentration, is excellent for people who wish to be farmers but want more training in ministry than an environmental science degree would offer. I could say the same for those who wish to be involved in creation care ministries as well. Even if you aren’t sure where exactly global studies will lead you, this is a great program for ministry-minded people who see the value in and have a deep appreciation for creation.