Lauren Ballejos hails from the hills of West Virginia where she developed a reverence for the natural world and folk art. She received her Bachelor’s at Vanderbilt University, studying studio art and philosophy. It was there that she developed a deep love for working with plants at the greenhouses. After graduating, she spent time working at a ranch/artist residency in the Nebraska Sandhills and developing a career in nonprofit arts organizations in Nashville, TN. She begins the Graduate Liberal Studies program at Duke in the Fall and is very excited to continue exploring the intersection of art and ethnobotany. She currently works at the Duke Campus Farm as the Student Field Education Manager and enjoys learning about sustainable agriculture. Outside of work and school, you’ll find Lauren going on plenty of walks with her doggo, Thoreau, and loving husband, Dillan. She loves oil painting, crafting, sailing, soccer, and brewing tea.
Preferred Name: Lauren
Please share the title of a book you’ve recently enjoyed and would recommend to your GLS colleagues. The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
What movie or television show that you watched recently would you recommend to the rest of us? Adventure Time
Coming to the Duke GLS program, I hope to further explore my passion for art, ethnobotany & agriculture! I also want to make new friends, enjoy the rich environment on campus, and ~discover the secrets of the universe~ I guess.
We’re going to make a GLS 2022 playlist on Spotify. Please recommend a song to include that speaks to how YOU feel as you embark on this new learning journey. It could be something that you’re listening to a lot now or a longtime favorite that captures the moment for you. Shining by DJ Khaled, Beyonce, Jay Z
