College of Law Alumnus to Develop Environmental Policy Through USDA Appointment

Childhood trips to California’s towering redwoods in the Sequoia National Forest planted the seed for what would become Jason Steele’s passion for environmental law.

Steele ’16, ’17 spent time there both as a participant and counselor at a camp focused on the importance of conservation.

“That’s where the foundations of my interest in environmental law started,” the Bakersfield native said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service in February awarded Steele an appointment as a Presidential Management Fellow. He will help develop environmental policy during his two-year appointment, which is expected to begin in the spring.

Steele discovered the University of La Verne at a Law School Admissions Council event in Oakland. Between his interest in the environment, serving four years in the Air Force, and coming from a family of military veterans, he knew he wanted to pursue a career that would make positive change for his country.

He enrolled in the College of Law’s dual degree program, earning a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Administration.

“I credit the University of La Verne’s faculty and staff with helping me reach my potential, both in terms of education and career,” Steele said.

The Baltimore resident plans to complete a Master of Laws at the University of Maryland in May before he officially starts his fellowship. He hopes to either stay on with the federal government or transition into a state government position afterward, with a focus on strengthening environmental policy either as part of a regulatory agency or state legislature.

Assistant Dean Jendayi Saada, one of Steele’s professors, praised his success.

“His education here at La Verne Law, and his subsequent LLM (Master of Laws) in the area of Environment Law have afforded him the tools he needs to succeed,” Saada said. “I look forward to seeing the great things Jason will do with his La Verne degree and I am proud that he is a La Verne alum!”