Justin Twist is approachable and friendly vegetarian, with an encouraging personality that is very passionate about helping others and the community. Twist works as a Pathway Success Coach at Arapahoe Community College, where students can have help to decide on what direction to take toward their career choice or to figure out what career might be interesting to them. Justin also has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a master’s in teaching and learning, Colorado State University – Global Campus. Today we get to learn about his journey from his inspiration to learn more about science and how the pathway of life has made it possible to give back to the community by being part of a Denver Community Project called “Consumption Literacy Project”.
Justin Twist grew up in the country, in upstate [Western] New York. There was a cornfield and also a forest next to his home.
“Growing up next to the forest was formative for my connection to nature,” Justin states.
It was in 11th grade when Twist realized that he wanted to go to college. He is also a 1st generation college student. Justin Twist major was to study Biology, even with the challenges with math but was able to overcome it. Twist likes to see potential in others, and he also sees the potential within himself to not give up on his dream of college. After attending college for a while, he changed his major to Environmental Science, to focus on Earth Systems and Ecology.
The undergrad science class study research helped Twist travel to unique places.
In Iceland, he was able to complete research on Glacier Moraines. In this Glacier Moraine Research, Twist measured Lichens (Lichens | Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands (ni.is)) that grow on the rocks with being able to calculate the relative age dated back to 500 years.
In Costa Rica, Twist was able to research soil carbon in a deforestation area, regrowth area, and also in an old forest, with the use of Licor Equipment (LI-6800 Portable Photosynthesis System | LI-COR Environmental (licor.com) within the Cloud Forest Area.
The bugs in the water were an intriguing part of Ecology study. He recalls memories of going out with his class into the field to the stream, using nets to pick up the gravel and catch the bugs. The Aquatic Ecology class was an inspiration to an unexpected hobby of fly fishing.
Other hobbies include visiting the ocean looking for seashells and also walking in the forest to connect with nature. Twist has a community of pets at home: several chickens named after gemstones, two different species of snakes called Eden and Cornelius, four cats and also has a 30 plus gallon fish tank full of community fish with live aquatic plants.
Twist helps the community in Northeast Denver, where he gardens lots of food for others. The “Consumption Literacy Project” educates others about food consumption and composting, connecting land and people. This gardening experience and science background has helped Twist have knowledge about the pathway of change through the seasons.
A special thank you to Justin Twist, Pathway Success Coach, for helping students and the community.
