Erin Gallagher '15

Erin Gallagher '15 arrived at UNCW as an undecided freshman. Initially choosing Environmental Studies, Erin soon realized that she wanted to understand climate change and environmental issues at a different, broader level.  

Gallagher pivoted to International Studies and French and joined the Honors College. These choices would form the foundation of an exciting path of discovery. 

“At UNCW, I truly felt like I was not just a number,” Gallagher reflects. “I could delve deeply into my studies, take advantage of unique opportunities, engage with the campus and community, and develop meaningful relationships with faculty. It opened doors and ultimately helped me discover my calling.” 

Pascale Barthe, one of her French professors, has played a pivotal role throughout her journey. After graduating, she asked Erin if she would be interested in teaching English at a university in Bordeaux, France. Gallagher decided to take the leap. 

“Dr. Barthe is an amazing professor and mentor who takes a true interest in her students and cultivates critical thinking,” Gallagher said. “She has introduced me many opportunities and encouraged me along the way.” 

That summer, Barthe invited Gallagher to visit her father’s farm in southern France. With a heat wave simmering, Gallagher headed towards what would become a turning point in her life. 

“As I was conversing with her father about changes he had observed in his farm over time,” Gallagher recounted, “the most amazing moment of clarity hit me while looking out over his fields: all of the global challenges I had studied and wanted to work on met out there in the field. On the train back to Bordeaux, I researched everything I could about the food system, and my trajectory took off from there.” 

The food system encompasses everything and everyone, from field to fork, and it has important effects on the environment and climate change.

“This field is key to a thriving future,” Gallagher says. “I knew this was where I needed to get to work.” Back in the US, Erin served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, helping to lead the Wake County local food council.  

Gallagher dreamed of pursuing a graduate degree abroad. While working in business development, Gallagher stayed involved in local food systems and researched programs and funding. “Obtaining funding and moving abroad is a massive undertaking that can really call everything into question,” she shared.  

With the help of Barthe and other mentors, Gallagher applied for the highly competitive Rotary Global Grant. She won the award, which enabled her to move to Italy in summer 2024, where she embarked on an M.A. in Food Studies at the American University of Rome. She was also selected to participate in the 2024 Gilman Foreign Policy Seminar on food systems in New Zealand, with all expenses fully covered. 

Reflecting on her journey, Gallagher shared, “If you feel called to be part of a change, that requires you to hold fear and feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome while you work toward your goal. Feel the fear, but do not let it keep you from placing one foot in front of the other.”